Idaho Alpine Club

Publication Year: 1992.

Idaho Alpine Club. The club became increasingly active during 1991 in climbing access issues. Friends of City of Rocks, which is operated primarily by club members, published several newsletters funded by both the Access Fund and T-shirt sales. The City of Rocks climbing ranger formed a climbing- management planning team that included 11 regional climbers. This is an effort to preserve climbing at the National Reserve, with the primary goal of achieving greater access than would be allowed by the general management plans proposed by the National Park Service.

Several groups made winter ascents of the Grand Teton by both the Exum and Owen-Spaulding routes, inspired by the greater challenge of winter conditions and the solitude which is rare during the busy summer season. Ascents were made of “The Snaz” in Death Canyon and the southeast buttress of Mount Moran.

This year’s club president, Chuck Odette, climbed the Cassin Ridge on Denali and led winter ascents of the Grand Teton. In addition he has pushed local sport climbing to the edge of 5.12d/13a and placed second in the men’s local competition in the Pocatello Pump. He has developed several local sport- climbing rocks in response to the increased popularity of difficult sport climbing.

The club continued its rock, snow and knot schools. Topics covered include proper harness use, leader protection, belaying, ice axe self-arrest, glacier travel, avalanche awareness and ice-climbing techniques.

Those interested in contacting us, please write to: Idaho Alphine Club, Box 2885, Idaho Falls, ID 83403. For access issues, please contact: Friends of City of Rocks, Box 2053, Idaho Falls, ID 83403 or call (208) 745-9094.

Steven Reiser