Harvard Mountaineering Club

Publication Year: 1961.

Harvard Mountaineering Club. Last summer being an interim season between the biennial climbing camps of the Harvard Mountaineering Club, climbing by members was carried out independently. Nevertheless, activity was by no means diminished. In Europe, several members made the most of what good weather they could find: Bob Page and Steve Jervis, Dennis Dunn, Hank Abrons, Leif Patterson, and Earle Whipple climbed in the Alps. Christopher Goetze toured the northern Wind Rivers, where he made seven first ascents, gained one “first” in the Needles of the San Juan Range in Colorado, and climbed in the Teton and Sangre de Cristo Ranges. In August, Mike Words, Bob Conrod, Gino Segré, and Lenny Clarke ascended the east face of Longs Peak. Further west, George and Richard Millikan climbed in the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon. In the Sierras, Gordon Benner led a Sierra Club High Trip into Yosemite.

Mount Robson repelled Craig Merrihue, Bill Hooker, and Gil Roberts; they turned back about 100 feet below the summit in their attempt on the Cain Route. For the unfortunates who did not find their way to larger mountains, the Shawangunks, Katahdin, and the White Mountains provided satisfaction. Proving once again that New Hampshire climbing still challenges, Earl Whipple put up a new route on White Horse Ledge.

The HMC has continued its programs of instruction in climbing, first aid, and rescue techniques. Rock climbing during the college year included local quarries, the Shawangunks, the Whitney-Gilman route, White Horse Ledge, and the Pinnacle in New Hampshire. Spring of 1960 saw ice climbing on Mount Washington, including ascents of the Pinnacle Gully.

Alan F. Nagel