Cleveland Mountaineers. A small group of enthusiastic outdoorsmen continue to breathe life into the organization. After the big trip into the Wind River-Wykee Lake region in 1972, led by Hal Joiner and Russ Batt, 1973 saw little action by our members. The annual five-day trip to the Adirondacks over the Christmas holiday was a marvelous exercise in escape technique. The stranded group hastily abandoned campsites as frozen rivers broke loose with waves of flood water during an un- seasonal thaw. It was a great experience, in early dawn hours, snow- shoeing over Lake Colden in ankle-deep water on the way out. Another group, working out of Keene Valley, New York, took in the Gothic Mountain area.

Members continue to rock climb at Seneca Rocks, West Virginia, and local ledges are used to keep techniques in shape for more serious climbing. Scattered weekend backpacking into various eastern mountain regions satisfy our needs for the outdoor experience.

The Youghiogheny and Cheat Rivers were excellent for our rubber raft outings. The few who endured the Cheat River in March at high water level aren’t sure they would like to try it again. The odds were not in favor of survival. Our president, Jon Fisher, climbed in Alaska with veteran climber, Larry Nielsen. Tom Lamb rafted on the Colorado River with a group from Western Michigan University. Russ Battcoled a month’s outing in the Big Horns of Wyoming around Cloud Peak. This served as a credit course for students of Kenyon College. Social barriers between faculty and students came crumbling down as the weeks passed while learning in a wilderness situation.

There is no doubt in the minds of those who search for the mountain experience, the benefits to soul and body. The reality of man’s awareness is found in his close relationship with the pulsebeat of the natural world.

Joanne Givens Joiner, Chairman, Public Relations