Because of space limitations, we have limited reports to those from AAC sections. We regret losing track of our sister organizations, whose activity reports have been a long and welcome tradition in these pages.

Alaska Section. The principal activity of our Section continues to center around the monthly slide shows we offer from September through April. To begin the 2004 series in January, Thomas Falkenberry illustrated his trips to Afghanistan to help with the “schools-for-girls” building program. In February local guidebook author Kristian Seiling described his attempt with Dave Lucey on the Colton Leach route on Mt. Huntington, and Harry Hunt discussed his trip to the Cordillera Blanca. In March, Roger Robinson, the lead NPS Climbing Ranger on Denali, talked about the success of the Clean Can Program on Denali and showed pictures of hidden gems in the Alaska Range. April’s last program before the summer break brought Rod Hancock to describe a first ascent on Mt. Nagishlamina, across the inlet from Anchorage. After a most glorious, unusually dry summer, the fall meetings resumed in September with Alaska legend Carl Tobin presenting images and entertaining us with stories of his many climbs in the Hayes Range.

In October John Tuckey described a past climb on Ama Dablam, then steered a discussion on the cultural aspect of climbing in the Himalaya. In November Danny Kost, our past Section chair, took us to the remotest corners of the vast Wrangell-St. Elias Park. Finally, in December, Ralph Tingey highlighted his many years of climbing with notable ascents from the Tetons to Yosemite to Alaska.

The Section thanks BP for opening its Energy Center for our meetings, and our many supporters who have helped with our fund raising raffles, including Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking, Talkeetna Air Taxi, and Alaska Denali Guiding.

Harry Hunt, Chair