University of Wisconsin Hoofer Mountaineers. The new year arrived with the sound of scraping skis during the annual Hoofer trip to the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. Lack of snow hampered the first week’s activities, while storms during the second week prevented any serious attempts at climbing.

Early in the year Hoofers were treated to a visit by Prof. Vladimir Voltchenko, a prominent Soviet alpinist. He climbed and skied with us and, along with Craig Martinson, showed slides of the recent AAC trip to the Soviet Union.

Springtime saw the return of weekly trips to Devils Lake and Gibraltar Rock for rock climbing, with both experts and beginners in attendance. During this season climbing trips went to the ‘Gunks, the Tetons, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Boulder, Colorado. Al Czecholinski and Ken Wade made an all-free ascent of Longs Peak via the Diamond.

The year ended with a pig roast, ice climbing on the icicles of Lone Rock in Wisconsin, and preparation for the 1978 ski trips.

John W. Keller