This was my first year as chair after the untimely demise of the previous chair, Chris Pruchnic, in a climbing accident in Rocky Mountain National Park. Although the time and commitment of this position sometimes seem daunting, the rewards—tangible and intangible—are worth the effort. I hope to foster a greater sense of community in our region.

On very short notice, about 100 members attended an event with Fred Beckey coinciding with the release of his book, Fred Beckey’s 100 Favorite North American Climbs. Fred gave a slideshow and signed numerous copies of his book, as well as members’ personal guidebooks and climbing paraphernalia. Chris Warner presented “Surviving K2” at the Boulder Patagonia Store to a standing- room-only crowd. He pointed out that only 15 Americans have summited K2, and three of them were in the room (one being our very own Phil Powers).

In July we hosted 12 women from the Alpine Club of Iran along with their 10 American hosts. After a day in Boulder, the women traveled to Estes Park, where they stayed at the Colorado Mountain School hostel. One group ascended Flattop Mountain, another clipped bolts at Jurassic Park, and others got a crack-climbing clinic at Lumpy Ridge. Next they decided to ascend the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert. At their Lakeview campground base camp, the Iranian women began an impromptu singing and dance session, which honored their feelings of liberation from being in the mountains. On the summit they unfurled an AAC banner and the Iranian flag to honor the bond between the two countries. The last day was spent in Eldorado Canyon, climbing and hiking. At a send-off cookout at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, members of the Front Range community had a chance to mingle with the group and learn more about Iranian climbing culture. We were grateful for the opportunity to bond with these women who share our passion for the mountains.