North Central Section. The North Central Section of the AAC continues to make progress toward having more communication, camaraderie, and interaction within the Club. Major projects for 2005 included further work developing a Section web site, clean-up days at two areas, and further communication with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regarding closed areas at the most popular climbing destination in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. A small social was held at an indoor climbing gym and restaurant in Stillwater, Minnesota, in October.

As background, Inter-State State Park lies along the St Croix River bordering Minnesota and Wisconsin. Because of the river valley, the geological formations are spectacular. The routed climbs vary from 5.3 to 5.12 and are about 50 feet long. In July 2001 there was a large rockfall that necessitated closing 40 percent of the Minnesota side. The North Central Section continues to work with the DNR to point out the closed areas as well as plan for the possible re-opening of part of the area. In addition we had a garbage pick-up day at the park in June. With five members in attendance, the day included some climbing and a barbeque, along with a meeting with the State Park staff. The Section was also represented at a clean-up day in July at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Minnesota, on the border with South Dakota. This area has had a big increase in the number of climber visits over the past five years. It is small and there was a little garbage, but a fun day was had by eight of our members.

Scott Christensen, Chair