The Mountaineering Club of Alaska. The club now has a membership of over 100 persons and has maintained an active climbing schedule throughout the year. Although the club has not sponsored any major expeditions this year, individual members have distinguished themselves in small groups making numerous first ascents in the state, including the first successful climb of Mount Torbert, high point in the lower Alaska Range. Others have pursued their interest in mountaineering outside the state in such distant places from Alaska as Colombia.

In August the club held a two-day rock-climbing school, now an annual event, which attracted numerous Alaskans and introduced many to mountain country for the first time. This school was followed by a one-day session in association with the Alaska Rescue Group demonstrating glacier climbing techniques and conducting a simulated rescue.

The club has begun a program of shelter building in the Chugach mountains along a route designed to connect Eklutna with Girdwood, a distance of about 40 miles. This will enable a party to make a crosscountry tour in four comfortable days of travel. The second such cabin was erected during the summer five miles above the base of the Eklutna glacier and involved the members in many week-end trips to the site and in many days of voluntary labor.

The club publishes a monthly newsletter, Scree, which records all club activities.

Club members of their own initiative have always welcomed visiting climbing parties to their homes; and the club is always pleased to hear of any proposed climbing expeditions to our state and to offer any local assistance that it is capable of providing.

Gary Hansen, President