AAC, Central Rockies Section. This has been a progressive and prosperous year for the Central Rockies Section. The 1997 Section Banquet got our Section going financially and helped carry us into the new year. The Section also had several events to try to coalesce our membership and get folks out. A gear swap/wine & cheese party at the Boulder Rock Club started the year. The Section newsletter editor, Eric Wagg, continues with our quarterly publication, and a treasurer, Jennifer Shinn, has been added to our volunteer staff.

We became active this year with the Boulder Ice Climbers Coalition. This grassroots organization is working with several governmental agencies to explore options for man- made ice for climbing in Boulder Canyon. The Section has donated $600 to this non-prof- it organization and pledged continuing assistance. Other projects included Section T-shirts last winter and canvas shirts, with the AAC logo embroidered on them, this winter. The latter are available upon pre-paid orders (see web site). Another big step into the public eye is the creation of our web site by George Bell and Peter Hsi. Visit us at http: crs.alpineclub.org.

The Second Annual Section Banquet, held at Trios Restaurant in Boulder, was by far the most enjoyable, social and well-attended event. It had an elegant feel, even though it was quite casual. The keynote slide show was provided by the legendary Tom Frost. His spectacular presentation, “In a Time Long Ago and Far Away,” was a historic review from his first ascent of the Salathé Wall and the second ascent of the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, set to the theme from Star Wars. This quality program was such a success that it was contracted for the AAC Annual Meeting in Denver in November.

Mike Houston gave the banquet’s lead-in program, an account of his first ascent with Jed and Doug Workman of the east face of Mount Nevermore in the Kichatna Spires in Alaska. A silent auction for the benefit of the Section was also offered at the Banquet. The proceeds were due in part to the tremendous support of the outdoor equipment industry, including Black Diamond, Patagonia, 5.10, Trango, Backpacker Pantry, Cascade Designs, Red Feather, FILA, Clif Bar, Trails Illustrated and Madden Packs. They have provided our Section the opportunity to become a viable voice for the climbing community in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico.

Climber exchanges continue to be an interesting but complex way of creating interaction among both American and international communities. The CRS was deeply involved with the Slovenians early in the year. Christian Beckwith and Jeff Hollenbaugh put in many hours creating a tasty schedule for our guests. Unfortunately, the Slovenians had to cancel. Many of their members had spent long, grueling months on Dhaulagiri. They returned safely, but tired and broke. We are currently involved with our proposed CRS-NZAC exchange, slated for winter 1999-’00. We hope to receive the Kiwis in the summer of 2000. There are also irons in the fire for an exchange with the New York Section and the Russians in 2001.

Greg Sievers, Chairman