A.A.C., New York Section. Now 342 members strong but addressing a much larger audience, the New York Section prides itself on a variety of wide-ranging activities, both indoor and outdoor, enabling its members to broaden their circle of friends and climbing partners and to improve their skills.

Alpinfilm, a two-night mountain film festival in April, and an annual Black Tie Dinner in October are the Section’s principal social events. Alpinfilm ’94 featured Jonathan Waterman presenting his ESPN-produced documentary Surviving Denali, which later won the Grand Prize at the Trento Film Festival. The night before, some 400 members and guests were on hand to see a variety of films, all winners at other film festivals, competing for recognition and cash awards. Prize winners were: Everest—Sea to Summit, Baseclimb, and He Dances For His Cormorants.

The Annual Dinner, now in its 15th year, set new attendance records as David Breashears presented an audiovisual retrospective of his career as a climber, cinematographer and film maker, including extracts from Cliffhanger and Red Flag Over Tibet. Among those journeying from afar to pay tribute to David were old friends Sir Edmund and Lady Hillary and Tom and Dorene Frost. Introduced at the Dinner were 14 new members, ranging from rock star Billy Squirer, who had recently returned from an attempt on the world’s highest still unclimbed peak in the Karakoram, to 77-year-old Don Henry, the current age record holder for Denali.

In December, another large and attentive audience was on hand for a joint slide show by a group of New Yorkers who coincidentally were each on different sides of Everest during the 1994 pre-monsoon season. The presenters were Robert Whitby (South Col), Larry Huntington (North Ridge) and Sandy Pittman (East Face).

Last but not least were our popular Spring and Winter Outings in the Adirondacks. Participants in the Winter Outing enjoyed some of the best ice-climbing conditions in years. By contrast, climbers at the June Outing survived the hottest weather and most voracious black flies seen in two decades.

A.A.C. members from other Sections are invited to attend our events and may receive invitations by writing to: NY Section, A.A.C., Box 5475, Rockefeller Station New York, NY 10185.

Philip Erard, Chairman