First Year of the Yale Mountaineering Club. On 1 May 1947 the Yale Mountaineering Club became an official organization recognized by the University. During the rest of the academic year, the Club’s activities were limited in scope. Every week end, at least a few Yale climbers could be seen working up one or other of the many interesting routes on the Sleeping Giant’s chin. Twice members joined the Connecticut A.M.C. chapter in its climbing activities. The Club was fortunate also in obtaining one of their prominent members to lead a climb on Mt. Carmel. Mountaineering during the summer months was conducted on an individual basis. Yale mountaineers participated in outstanding climbs in Washington, Oregon and Colorado, and in British Columbia with the Harvard Mountaineering Club.

A major accomplishment in the fall of 1947 was the organization of a climbing course similar to that offered by the Seattle Mountaineers. It is divided into elementary, intermediate and advanced phases. The elementary course given in the fall of 1947 included lectures as well as demonstrations and practice in the field. Supplementing the instruction by experienced members of the Club were occasional lectures by prominent mountaineers, including one by Robert H. Bates on “Campcraft,” illustrated by slides of the 1942 Army McKinley Expedition and colored movies of the 1938 Mt. Hayes Expedition.

During its six months of formal existence, the Club has grown to include 44 Active, two Alumni and two Corresponding Members.

Richard G. Merritt