Northern Rockies Section. The Northern Rockies Section started out the year with its 2nd annual Sun Valley Dinner on January 7 at The Cellars Pub. Jamie Laidlaw, a Hans Sari Grant Recipient, presented a show of his most recent exploratory trip to Western Nepal. It was a fascinating story, more about exploration than skiing, but there now is the potential to open up some new territory for future exploration. There were about 20 people present including local Sun Valley area members Dick Dorworth, David Stelling, Bob Rosso, Greg Wilson, Clark Gerhardt, Marc Hanselman, Tim Ball, Wolf Riehle, Wick Warrick and AAC Board Member Doug Colwell. During brief technical difficulties, resident Aussie, Tim Ball, entertained the crowd with sheep jokes. A good night was had by all, members were pleased with the Club coming to them, and plans were made for another dinner in the future.

On March 10 the AAC sponsored a film event in Salt Lake City at Brewvies Cinema: The Continuum Project, with members receiving a discount. The Continuum Project follows some of the worlds best climbing talent around the globe to document bold new routes and daring repeats on ice, rock, and in the alpine.

Rockreation, a Salt Lake City area climbing gym, generously offered a discount on Wednesday nights to AAC members which extended for the entire year.

In mid-July the Section sponsored Piolets d'Or winners Kyle Dempster and Bruce Normand, who presented a unique slideshow on their Lyman-Spitzer Grant supported climb in China's Middle Kingdom. Dempster, Normand, and Jed Brown made the first ascent of Xuelian West (6,422m). The three men completed an alpine-style ascent of the 2,650-meter north face during a five-day round trip. The show, taking place at Black Diamond's retail store, played to a packed house. Both Kyle (“younger rope gun”) and Bruce (“the professor”) brought their own distinct styles to the show, making for a great evening.

At the end of July members in Salt Lake City gathered downtown for a movie night to see fellow Club member Conrad Anker in the Wildest Dream Imax film. Club members received a discount on their tickets and enjoyed a little pre-movie banter at a local restaurant prior to the show. No Kendal Mint Cakes were harmed during the attending of this event.

Brian Cabe, Chair