Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

American Alpine Club 2012 Annual Benefit Dinner in Boston

Weekend focus is Partnership: Climbing through the Generations

Golden, CO—Today The American Alpine Club—dedicated to knowledge, inspiration, conservation and advocacy for the climbing community—announced the theme, featured speakers, and destination for its 2012 Annual Benefit Dinner weekend, March 2–3, 2012. The dinner will be held at the Seaport Hotel on the waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts, and will celebrate a year of change and success through the theme of Partnership: Climbing through the Generations.

The weekend will kick off March 2nd with a Friday night Member’s Meeting and Climber’s Gathering, a social evening open to all climbers and attendees. Saturday night’s Annual Benefit Dinner will include waterfront dining, annual awards honoring climbing’s luminaries and rising stars, an auction, and a keynote presentation.

Boston native Mark Richey and climbing partners Freddie Wilkinson and Steve Swenson have been tapped to deliver the keynote, sharing inspiration from their August 2011 Saser Kangri II expedition. The goal was to reach the 7,518-meter summit of the second-highest unclimbed mountain in the world—one of the last frontiers of Himalayan climbing. For Mark and Steve, both in their 50s, the climb was the capstone of their long and already distinguished climbing careers. The story of their expedition will provide a glimpse into the future of exploratory alpinism, highlight the powerful tradition long exemplified by the New England climbing community and The American Alpine Club, and amplify the evening’s theme of partnership across generations.

The Annual Benefit Dinner is the AAC’s signature and largest annual event. In addition to fine dining and entertainment, the Dinner mingles climbers of all generations and abilities to celebrate the vibrant state of this 110-year-old organization.

“This year’s program speaks to themes that resonate deeply at The American Alpine Club. The Swenson-Richey-Wilkenson route on Saser Kangri II—previously the second highest unclimbed peak on Earth—is bold and adventurous,” said Phil Powers, Executive Director at The American Alpine Club. “The intergenerational nature of the team and the amazing story of Steve Swenson’s rescue at the end of the trip resonate with what we value at the AAC.”

In 2011, The American Alpine Club implemented new programs, attained advocacy milestones, and expanded its online and grassroots community resources to provide climbers with more resources and ways to connect with each other. In just the past year, the Club has:

• Hired staff around the country to ensure that the AAC is vibrant in your backyard. These regional coordinators regularly connect with Members by hosting local events, conservation projects, and more.

• Expanded its Member benefits to include rescue insurance, climber-friendly
insurance, expansive discounts, and new and improved places for climbers to stay, such as the rebuilt Snowbird Hut in Alaska and the new AAC Clubhouse in Kathmandu, Nepal.

• Purchased 40 acres of land on the rim of West Virginia’s New River Gorge. The AAC is
working with local conservation and climbing organizations to plan a Climbers’
Campground with amenities walking distance from popular crags.

• Launched a new website, bringing local communities together in a more
user-friendly and attractive online space.

• And in 2012, the Club will break ground on a new Climbers’ Campground with easy access to climbing in New York’s Shawangunks.

“The AAC is at its best when we can be helpful to climbers where they climb—in their own backyards. Bringing the annual dinner to Boston is a tiny example of our increased support of local sections. Just in the last year we have added regional coordinators and new conservation and climbing grants to support needs at the local level,” Powers said.

For more information and tickets, visit americanalpineclub.org/2012dinner <http://www.americanalpineclub.org/2012dinner>

About The American Alpine Club
The American Alpine Club provides knowledge and inspiration, conservation and advocacy, and logistical support for the climbing community. The AAC advocates for American climbers domestically and around the world; provides grants and volunteer opportunities to protect and conserve the places we climb; hosts local and national climbing festivals and events; publishes two of the world’s most sought-after climbing annuals, The American Alpine Journal and Accidents in North American Mountaineering; cares for the world’s leading climbing library and country’s leading mountaineering museum; manages the Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch as part of a larger lodging network for climbers; and annually gives $80,000+ toward climbing, conservation, and research grants to adventurers who travel the world. Learn about additional programs and become a member at americanalpineclub.org. Join the AAC’s online community at facebook.com/americanalpineclub.

Contacts:
Erik Lambert
Information & Marketing Director
The American Alpine Club
elambert@americanalpineclub.org
(303) 951-4572

Alycia Cavadi
Momentum Media PR
alycia@momentummediapr.com
(617) 875-5553

14th Annual Agawa Ice Festival

Join the gang from March 8th to March 11th 2012 at Mile 112 in Agawa Canyon

This is an unique festival as it is without sponsors, slideshows, pubs or hot tubs. We all get off the train at the site of our …winter basecamp and emergency climbers shelter. As the camp is only 100 feet from the tracks climbers bring a huge amount of gear. The allowance is 100 pounds per person. Some bring propane heaters and canvas tents. We bring along a gas generator, lights and a satellite phone

Evenings are spent around a bonfire discussing the canyon and sharing experiences in ice climbing across North America.

Train drops us off on Thursday at 1:20 and picks us up on Sunday around 2:00 pm. The area has plenty of climbs for all abilities. A 2007 guidemap to Agawa Canyon is available through www.climbingcentral.com

Seach google.ca for information on climbing in Agawa Canyon.
Everyone is welcome to attend, email or call if you have specific questions.

Train fares are> $138.00 round trip from Sault Ste. Marie or $53.00 round trip from Frater Station. There is logging taking place to the east of the canyon so the road to Frater will likely be open in March. The forestry company expects to be logging just to the east of Far Off Falls by mid March.

Guiding and gear rental is available as well.
contact us for more information

-Shaun Parent

North of Superior Climbing Company
Shaun Parent
P.O. Box 85 Batchawana Bay, Ontario
P0S-1A0 705-946-6054

FACEBOOK:: northofsuperior climbingcompany
YOUTUBE: NOSCC
info@northofsuperiorclimbing.com www.northofsuperiorclimbing.com

February 3rd – 5th 2012

The Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival is one of the premier climbing events in the country. Join us as we celebrate the adventure, the fun, and the camaraderie of ice climbing and winter mountaineering, here in one of the finest waterfall ice climbing destinations in North America. This year we are also offering an AIARE Level I Avalanche Course.

IMCS Ice Fest home page

International Mountain Climbing School

The Ice Fest Blog

Sign up Today! 603-356-7064
We are now taking reservations for all Ice Fest 2012 courses and clinics.

10% discount for College Students!
You must mention you are a college student at the time of registration and you must bring your valid college ID to the ice fest.

Course Descriptions

Friday Clinics and Climbs

Saturday Clinics and Climbs

Sunday Clinics and Climbs

Registration and Cancellation Information

Be Sure to Visit all of our great sponsors

Why Climb with us at Ice Fest?

• You’ll learn from the absolute best
• You’ll meet lots of other climbers and maybe a future climbing partner
• There are courses for all abilities
• Jaw dropping videos
• A slide show and talk by the one and only Will Gadd
• A very cool indoor dry-tooling competition
• Free Gear Demos!
• Free Food
• It’s Fun

Friday evening will feature A multi-Media show with Will Gadd and our dry-tooling competition at the Cranmore Fitness Center climbing wall along with a raffle. On Saturday night we’ll have some awesome videos, you’ll have a chance to try dry tooling on the Cranmore Wall and even try the competition course.

This years guest guides will include: Kevin Mahoney, Mark Synnott, Freddie Wilkison, Emilie Drinkwater, Bayard Russell, Matt McCormick, Ben Gilmore, Majka Burhardt, Nick Yardley, Janet Bergman, Jim Shimberg, Andrea Charest and Silas Rossi.

And, of course, the awesome IMCS Guides; Brad White, Dave Kelly, Zeb Jakub, Craig Taylor, Elliot Gaddy, Sam Bendroth, Maury McKinney, Chris Magnus, Craig John, Pat Ferland, Matt Shove, Erik Eisele, Frank Carus, Paul Cormier, Paul McCoy

Since its inception 19 years ago this event has been eagerly anticipated by ice climbers in the Eastern United States and is considered one of the premier climbing events in the country. It is intended to be a celebration of ice climbing and winter mountaineering and the people that make it a part of their lives. It continues to provide a great opportunity for those attending to network, socialize, try new gear and participate in multiple day courses, one-day technicalclinics and privately guided climbs. The Mt. Washington Valley is one of the finest waterfall ice climbing destinations in North America. Each year we offer a variety of skills-based clinics and exciting slide shows with featured climbers and guides from the New England area and around the world.

Thanks to our title sponsor Outdoor Research

Sign up Today! 603-356-7064

International Mountain Climbing School (IMCS) phone: 603-356-7064

email: guides@ime-usa.com

Source: Ice Fest Blog, NEice.com, IME

2012 Alpinist/Smuggs Ice Bash

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Kick off Ice Bash at Petra Cliffs in Burlington on Friday, January 27th – 6pm: Competition begins – watch the area’s best climbers battle it out to a winner take all finish.  $5 spectator fee, food & beverages provided.  Competitors - $250 cash prize, for both men’s and women’s categories.  Limited entry – email your intent to compete with a short climbing resume toinfo@sunriseadventuresports.com

Bert Severin
Sunrise Mountain Guides
www.sunriseadventuresports.com

“Head to VT on January 27th for the  - WOW, Sterling Rope & La Sportiva are giving up $250 to the top men’s and women’s climber at the indoor drytooling comp Friday night at Petra Cliffs, Burlington VT!”

“Guest guide and slide show by Freddie Wilkinson – Karakoram Frontiers: A season of first ascents in the Himalayas’ last refuge. Images/videos/storytelling by Freddie Wilkinson. Jeffersonville Tavern, Saturday 1/28. Freddie will also MC the comp at Petra Cliffs in Burlington on Friday night!

Conditions are good and getting better in the Notch. Look for NEice at the trail head and get some hot soup! – Doug

The 16th annual Adirondack International Mountainfest

January 13-15, 2012

Mountainfest is an annual celebration of ice climbing and mountaineering, featuring guest athletes who entertain us with tales of climbing adventures, instructional clinics taught by visiting climbers and local guides, demo gear, and a chance to gather with the climbing community for an exciting winter weekend.

Mountainfest 2012 boasts an excellent lineup of speakers, including Zoe Hart, Bayard Russell and Matt McCormick, and Emilie Drinkwater. Their slide shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings promise to be entertaining and also offer a chance to win raffle gear and free giveaways.

We’re offering more clinics than ever this year, including tons of ice climbing courses, snow and alpine climbing, snowshoe mountaineering, avalanche safety, and wilderness first aid. Many of the event sponsors will be here with the latest gear for you to take and climb with on both Saturday and Sunday.

Whether you come for the clinics or just climb on your own and check out the evening entertainment, Mountainfest is the place to be on Martin Luther King weekend.

We are now taking registrations now. Please call us at (518) 576-2281 from 8am to 5:30pm every day.

The Mountainfest Web Site

Classes | Instructors | Registration | Schedule

The Mountaineer

Adirondack Rock and River Guide Service