Idaho Alpine Club. The past year began as a poor one for ice climbing. However, with the low snowfall, rock climbing started in February, several months earlier than usual. Also, the annual snow school was held a month early to assure adequate snow for teaching self-arrest techniques and glacier crevasse rescue methods.

A dozen climbers prepared to climb the Fuhrer Finger on Mount Rainier over the Memorial Day weekend, only to be stormed off, not even able to drive to Paradise Visitor Center owing to very heavy snowfall. The following week most of this group attended the International Sport Climbing Championship held at Snowbird, Utah. The strength and flexibility of the world-class climbers on the wall made it appear that these athletes had evolved into a superhuman species.

On the local Idaho rock many climbers in the club advanced into the 5.10-5.12 range. Literally dozens of members jumped up as much as two grades in ability owing to improved equipment and better physical training programs.

During the summer members climbed numerous summits in the western United States, including Mount Rainier, Gannett Peak and Cirque of the Towers in the Wind Rivers, several in the Tetons, and Devil’s Tower via the Durrance Route.

We encourage visiting climbers to drop us a letter to: Idaho Alpine Club, P.O. Box 2885, Idaho Falls, ID 83403.

Steven Reiser