Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 1986 was a big year for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Mountaineering Section. At the beginning of the year we set out to accomplish a few things: increase membership, establish new trip leader and safety guidelines to meet the liability demands on our club, finalize the efforts in progress to open Bull Run Mountain to hiking and climbing, and finally, increase our activities in climbing, socializing, trash removal in climbing areas, but above all, climbing. The section is proud to report that we have been very successful in all our efforts.

We were also involved with a number of other activities during the year. The President’s Commission on American Outdoors came to an open house at P.A.T.C., and we gave them our views on issues related to climbing. Our efforts to assist flood victims in West Virginia following the November 1985 disaster were continued. Toward that end, we assisted in the rebuilding of the access bridge at Seneca Rocks, worked with the Forest Service in planning a new climbers’ campsite at Seneca, and provided financial and material assistance to families in the area. We co-sponsored two guest speakers in 1986. John Harlin spoke to us and the Ski-Touring Section, and Rosie Andrews gave her slide show on Women Climbers in the 80s to us and the Washington Women Outdoors. The section sent a representative to the American Alpine Club’s annual meeting in Denver.

Time was also found to extend the section’s horizons with respect to climbing, with members climbing all over much of the world. There were two trips to Africa’s Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, both successful, and some of the excellent rock climbing to be found in Africa was enjoyed as well. Alaska also received a visit or two, with Denali being ascended and other areas explored for future trips. Several members climbed in the Alps, South American ranges, and the Canadian Rockies. Closer to home, trips were made to the Tetons in Wyoming and to California’s Yosemite, Mount Whitney area, and some of the smaller crags in the San Francisco Bay area. New England also received much of our attention both in winter and summer. Locally, the section climbed every weekend, with trips to the Gunks, Seneca Rocks, Stone Mountain, the New River Gorge, and other areas. Although the list of regulars may at times have seemed small, when viewed over the year, we accomplished quite a bit of climbing.

For the future, section activities look good. We have embarked on another guidebook, this time for Carderock. The Great Falls Guide has gone into its second printing within a year of publication. Membership will continue to be a key focus, as will our access and conservation activities. And, of course, we plan to continue to climb as often and in as many places as possible. Visitors to the Washington, D.C., area are encouraged to contact us, P.A.T.C. Mountaineering Section, phone 202-638-5306, 7-10 P.M. weekdays.

Stuart Pregnall, Chairman, Mountaineering Section