#BIMONTHLY PROGRAM: Attempt at
Kun
#CMC OFFERS HIGH ALTITUDE TRIPS
#ICE CLIMBING SEMINAR MARCH 10
#SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
#CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
#AT YEAR'S END
#RESEARCH COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN POSITION AVAILABLE
#ACONCAGUA INFORMATION
Our next general meeting of the High Altitude Mountaineering Section will
be on Monday evening, January 22 at 7:00 in the C.M.C. auditorium in Denver.
The program will feature Ken Nolan's presentation of an attempt to climb Kun, a
23,000 foot peak in the Himalaya of Northern India. The expedition consisted of
four Colorado Mountain Club members (some of whom are HAMS members). Their
approach took them through exotic Kashmir and Ladakh. The objective, Kun, is
the sister to Nun, a peak featured in Galen Rowell's book Many People Come
Looking. Looking. Please join us for an exciting program on climbing in a
seldom visited region of the world.
In keeping with the HAMS goal of promoting interest in high altitude ascents, the section is instituting a program that would take CMC members on trips to high altitude peaks throughout the world, led by fellow CMC members. Look for details on upcoming trips to Rainier, Mexico and South America in the March newsletter. In the meantime, if you are a qualified trip leader in the club and have an idea for a CMC expedition at any level, contact Terry Root for details on how to qualify. HAMS will help you plan, advertise, screen participants and more. There are financial benefits to being a volunteer leader. Let's have some ideas to expand the services of the club to include low cost, safe trips to exciting places.
A free one-day seminar will be offered by HAMS covering low angle ice
climbing. This is introductory level only and will cover the basics in
selecting equipment, placing protection and techniques in moving safely on low
angle ice. Often small ice problems are encountered on easy high altitude
ascents. Here's a way to get some expert instruction in "the basics" before
your next climb. Participants must have BMS training and provide their own
harness and helmet. Ropes, tools, other equipment provided by HAMS. Contact the
Denver clubrooms to sign up or call Terry Root. This seminar will be limited to
12 participants.
We have scheduled a special educational program for Monday evening, February 12 at 7:00 in the CMC auditorium in Denver. The subject will be Nutrition and Food Planning. The speaker will be Ted Handwerk. Ted did the planning for the "Cowboys on Everest" trip. Join us for an interesting evening.
At the end of the year, it always seems appropriate to reflect back on the accomplishments of the previous year and to look forward to the events planned for the future. So, with that thought in mind, I would like to share my observations of what we have done and are planning to do with the High Altitude Mountaineering Section.
The seeds for the section were planted almost two years ago with one of those "Why doesn't the Mountain Club. . ." conversations. The discussion turned into the proposal for the High Altitude Mountaineering Seminar which was held in late 1988. From the Seminar sprang the Section with about 150 joining the first year. Members came from almost all of the Front Range groups and we even have a few from out of state. It has been very pleasing to see so many people interested in our activities. It demonstrates my own belief that there is a great interest in high altitude climbing in the C.M.C.
During our first year, we had five general meetings, each attended by 50 or more people. Programs included Cowboys on Everest, Magda King's attempt of Yalung Kang, and climbing in Nepal, Argentina and the Soviet Union. We had a well attended springtime party, a picnic and an autumn Halloween party. A training session on crevasse rescue was held and a High Altitude Mountaineering School approved. We have started a trip file and data base. Our newsletter, Thin Air, is improving with every issue.
But that is only the beginning, and 1990 looks to be even better. Through the help of desktop publishing, its appearance continues to improve, and with everyone's help, we are finding more interesting tidbits to publish.
The Research Committee continues to solicit feedback on members climbs, and with the Mountain Club's new MS-DOS computer system, setting up the data base should be much easier. All we need is a new committee chairman!
In 1990 we will continue to have a few social events to provide networking opportunities for members. The first is planned for May 4th, and another will be held in the autumn. In addition, we have been invited to join with the Tech Section for their annual summer picnic which will be on a weekend this year. We have added to our program schedule for 1990. In addition to our five regularly scheduled bimonthly general programs, we have scheduled a couple of educational programs. The first is February 12th and the second will be April 18th. Check the newsletter for topics.
The Education Committee has really got some exciting things planned. First, there will be some special one-day training events on skills such as crevasse rescue and low angle ice climbing. In October, we will have a six-session High Altitude Mountaineering Seminar. That will be followed by our first High Altitude Mountaineering School. In addition, we are planning to sponsor some climbing trips to Mt. Rainier, the Mexican volcanoes and Aconcagua.
If you want to continue to be part of this, please renew your membership by
sending in your dues of $5.00. If you would like to help make
some of these plans happen, volunteer. With your
participation, the High Altitude Mountaineering Section can continue to
be a success. --Dan Leeth
I would like to offer some heart-felt thanks to those good people who have made the newsletter go this year with their work. Thanks to Kris and John Wallack, Judy Childers, and Bill Schmidt for all of their hard work. Thanks also go to Carol Albright and Mary Ann Davitt for their assistance early in the year. --Steve Bonowski
Due to outside time constraints, our Research Committee chairman, Tom Maceyka, has had to resign his position. We appreciate Tom's efforts in setting up the committee and all of the work that has been done so far. We need to find a replacement for Tom.
The Research Committee is responsible for building a file of trip reports from members (and others} who have climbed or trekked in the high regions of the world. These reports will be used by the rest of us in planning our trips to the same places. In additions, the committee is responsible for building a data base of "Who Went Where." If someone wants to know something about a particular mountain or region, he/she can contact a member who has been to that region, buy a few beers and pump the member for tons of useful information.
You do not need any special knowledge to be Chairman of the Research Committee. We have plenty of computer experts to build the data base. What is needed is someone willing to put in a little effort to solicit information and build our information files. In addition to the joy of helping the section achieve its goals, the Committee Chairman is automatically a member of the Executive Committee, and thus gets to have input on all aspects of the section.
If you are willing to help us out in this task, please contact Dan Leeth.
If you are planning a trip to climb the Western Hemisphere's highest peak,
you might be interested in "Aconcagua Notes." For almost ten years, I have been
gathering information about the Argentine mountain. I have written a couple of
articles for Summit magazine, and at one time, even started work on a
guidebook. The guide was never completed, but to help those who need
information, I have photocopied much of the material. Included is well over 100
pages of route descriptions, maps, photos and trip reports. Cost is $12.50 to
cover photocopying and postage expense. If you would like a copy, contact
--Dan Leeth.
Colorado climbers are preparing to apply for Himalayan permit. If you are interested in either Broad Peak or Nanga Parbat during 1991, contact Tom Maceyka. We are looking for individuals who have a true desire to climb in the Himalayas.