The year started with the 19th annual Ouray Ice Festival, which, as usual, was well attended. The evening programs were very popular, especially the Ueli Steck show on Thursday, where people had to be turned away. We also spent time at the festival with members of the Ridgway High School climbing club. We demonstrated key alpine knots and discussed their uses, as well as other climbing topics.

Our second major event was the annual Penitente Canyon anchor replacement weekend in June. We focused on a few routes in the main canyon and then started upgrading routes in the Rock Garden. Over 20 routes were modernized, with specifics posted to Mountain Project. Thanks are due to the Strands for providing the beer and BBQ. The AAC also provided some nice swag for the Western Colorado Climbers Coalition in support of its purchase of Mother’s Buttress in Unaweep Canyon, south of Grand Junction. I am happy to announce that the purchase was completed in October! Lastly, in June I hosted the first Climbers Meetup at the Buena Vista Crags near my home. A few of us ventured out to repeat a new 12-pitch backcountry route on Davis Face, and various single-pitch routes also were climbed.