A.A.C., Blue Ridge Section. The Section’s hard work in acting as host for the Club’s 1980 Annual Meeting and Dinner resulted in the blessings of real financial solvency and the creation of a nucleus of dedicated leaders willing to explore possible new and worthwhile channels of activity. Not to be overlooked in this respect was the good work done by the preceding Chairman, Joe Wagner, during the Section’s formative years.

During the last year the Section has held three business meetings, two of which were extremely well attended, and at each of which efforts were made to feature lecturers from near and far with a good story to tell. On March 12 Peter Lehner of the New England Section showed us excellent slides of his party’s ascent of Peru’s Huantsán by a new route. On May 28 the Chairman attempted to display his antiquated pictures of the 1954 Stanford Coast Range expedition, but succeeded only in wrecking Director Sallie Greenwood’s projection equipment. Far more successful entertainment was provided at the November 5 meeting: Blue Ridge Section member David Ward gave us a fine presentation of his adventurous trip to Turkey’s Mount Ararat; and John Bouchard, fresh from the Alps, gave us an excellent talk about his experience on the Frênay, the Croz arête of the Grandes Jorasses, and the North Face of the Matterhorn. He then ended the evening with graphie photos of the Eiger’s North Face, and thereby managed to scare his audience half to death and send people home for a night of bad dreams. But thanks anyway, John, it was a great show!

In addition the Section issued three newsletters and launched a series of experimental activities. On May 7, as co-host with George Washington University’s Women’s Athletic Association, the Section sponsored a talk by Arlene Blum about her experiences on Brigupanth and Annapurna. On September 27, again under Section sponsorship, member John Markwell provided instruction at Seneca Rock, West Virginia, in mountain rescue, and thereby initiated a program we hope will be perpetuated as a public service. Finally, there was a general get-together with more isolated Southern members over the Columbus Day weekend at Looking Glass Rock, North Carolina.

The Section has also entered into negotiations with the Washington division of the Explorers Club to stage a jointly sponsored lecture by Galen Rowell on his Karakoram winter ski adventures, scheduled for some time early in 1982.

Andrew John Kauffman, 2nd, Chairman