A.A.C., Alaska Section. 1984 was another fine year for our Section. It began with a good season of winter mountaineering, highlighted by the Second Annual Ice-Climbing Festival in Valdez. The rate of first ascents of waterfalls slowed somewhat from last year as climbers repeated known routes and took advantage of excellent skiing conditions. Other winter activity included a Section-sponsored ice-climbing clinic, attempts on Denali and Mount Huntington, and the first winter ascent of Mount Fairweather via the west ridge. Two other significant expeditions with our members were made: Makalu west pillar and Biafo Tower in the Karakoram. Both of these climbs are described elsewhere in this Journal.

The Alaska Section has been developing at an impressive rate during the last three years, with membership and services all on the rise. The Section publishes a newsletter four times a year, holds regional meetings, and organizes other social activities. A published directory which included member information, mountain reference and several out-of-print climbing articles was very popular at both the local and national levels. Section turtleneck shirts were also introduced as a fund raiser.

On October 6 the annual meeting of the Section was held in Anchorage. This meeting, accompanied by slide programs, was our best ever, with over 300 people in attendance.

Steve Davis, Chairman