A.A.C., Cascade Section

Publication Year: 1978.

A.A.C., Cascade Section. The Section began the year with the “First Annual Cascade Section Bash” on January 29. The change from a sit-down dinner to a buffet was well received, and we had almost 300 members and guests. The “Bash” went over so well we are planning another in January 1978. Chris Chandler showed his climb of Everest, and our Section’s annual meeting and dinner was considered a great success. On March 2 we co-sponsored, with the Swallow’s Nest, a local mountaineering store, and the University of Washington Climbing Club, Martin Boyson with his show “Everest—the Southwest Face.” At a Section meeting on March 11, Alex Bertulis discussed the AAC climbers trip to Russia in 1976, and showed some of his slides.

On May 15 the Russian climbers arrived in the U. S. for 45 days, to climb on McKinley and, as it turned out, in our North Cascades. AAC member Mike Helms and Riley Moss accompanied them on McKinley. Alex Bertulis acted as host in Washington State, and with Mark Shielding, showed the Russians the Northern Pickets. Chuck Kroger climbed Liberty Bell with them.

In the interim, on April 11 we entertained Professor Noel Odell with a dinner at a local restaurant, where he was able to talk with Unsoeld, Hornbein, Emerson and Chandler, all Everest people themselves. Professor Odell spoke to the Section after dinner, giving us much interesting information on the early attempts at Everest and showing some rare old pictures.

When the Russian climbers had completed their 45 days of climbing, we had a reception for them the evening they were to fly home. We were able to see some of their pictures and show some of ours, and give them a relaxing evening talking over their trip. It was at this reception that the Russian leader invited the AAC to select six climbers to tour the Russian climbing areas again in 1978.

Then we successfully hosted the AAC Board of Directors at the Mountaineer clubroom September 16-17, with a number of section members attending both the meetings and the reception. On October 18 the section had its last meeting for the year, with Bill Sumner discussing “Winter Ice Climbing in the Northwest—How and Where?

Howard Stansbury