Colorado Mountain Club. The CMC, with an approximate growth rate of 10% during the past year, now totals over 5500 members. The Wilderness Kids Group, a Denver group offspring, consisting of families with small children, had a 100% increase, showing the activity of family groups using the out-of-doors.

Outings this past year included a climb of the Mexican volcanoes, a week-long cross-country ski trip in the Aspen area, a hiking tour through Norway, an eight-day high-country bike tour, a two-week trail building crew, a one-week ice-school in Canada, a climb of Mount Assiniboine, a two-week in-state outing, a Grand Canyon river trip, and an in-state Base Camp outing for two weeks. There were also over 1200 day and weekend trips scheduled throughout the year. The projection for 1978 is for a great many more low-key hikes for participating members.

The CMC has acted as an advisor for a “Winter Awareness” film, in conjunction with the Audubon Society, and individual members have participated on advisory committees on the state as well as federal level pertaining to environmental education. Leadership classes, first aid and mountain safety seminars are stressed in all groups. Most of the larger groups conduct mountaineering schools. Last year some 385 students attended mountaineering courses, and some of those in the advanced courses becoming leaders for the next sessions. In the educational endeavor the library at the state headquarters is fast becoming a leading source of mountaineering material in the state. The state conservation committee has been greatly strengthened and has been able to resolve a number of public access through private property impasses. The CMC was also very effective in monitoring mining permits and dam expansions. On the local level many weekends were spent in the National Forests constructing trails, signing, painting and cleaning.

There were no accidents or deaths on the CMC-sponsored hikes during the past year. The larger groups continue to sponsor and conduct bi-monthly slide shows to the public on the subject of mountain climbs, travel and adventure.

Gudrun Gaskill, President