If you mention “New York Section” in AAC circles, people will invariably associate it with our annual black-tie dinner. While the definition of “black tie” has evolved over the last 33 years to include forms of attire scarcely acceptable years ago, the purpose of the dinner has not changed: to reunite committed climbers in an elegant setting, with fine food and wine, and to celebrate the brotherhood of the rope among generations old and new. In addition, the November event has raised significant sums over the years to help fund the AAC Library, the AAJ, and most recently the climbing grants program. Thanks in great part to some spirited bidding engineered by our dynamic auctioneers, Steve Schofield and Dee Byers, we were able to establish a special fund enabling young climbers to live their dreams. This fund is being named after our dear member Clif Maloney, who perished on Cho Oyu in 2009.

The keynote speaker at this year’s dinner, held November 10 at the Union Club, was Arlene Blum, best known for her groundbreaking and successful women’s expedition to Annapurna in 1978, and more recently for her pioneering efforts as a biochemist to ban toxic flame-retardant chemicals in children’s sleepwear and other textiles. Mark Richey gave a short but absorbing presentation that had the audience on the edge of their seats as his small team conquered Saser Kangri II, then the second-highest unclimbed peak in the world.

Apart from our dinner, the section had a large number of indoor and outdoor events in 2012, including winter and spring Adirondacks outings, both held in excellent conditions for the large contingent who journeyed from Manhattan and environs. Of note during the year were slideshows by Kurt Diemberger, Majka Burhardt, Donn Healy, and a film program and reception at the Polish Embassy celebrating the feats of the indomitable Polish climbers of the 1980s. In May we were treated to a special showing of the spectacular images of Mario Colonel, the noted Chamonix photographer and guide, at a reception hosted by Jeffrey Cohen in his Village home.

In the summer we joined forces with the Rubin Museum to cosponsor both a kids’ Everest program inside the museum as well as a series of four dramatic Hollywood film showings that drew sellout crowds. Among the films featured was “K2,” introduced by AAC Executor Director and K2 climber Phil Powers. Ted Vaill gave us an insider’s view of “Lost Horizon-Shangri La,” having done extensive research and organized an expedition to Shangri La’s likely location in Szechuan Province.

In December, about 30 members gathered for a winter hike of Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands, followed by a reception at the Galligans. Over the years, Chris and Mim have proved to be the kindest and most generous of hosts in their house in Garrison.

Finally, my thanks to our dynamic group of volunteers, whose enthusiasm and hard work made all the above possible. Visit our section website (nysaac.blogspot.com) for recent section news, photos, and coming events.