Arizona Mountaineering Club. Founded in 1964 in Phoenix, the Arizona Mountaineering Club enjoyed another successful year in 1995. Membership approached 340. Many members climbed and trekked in various parts of the world. Several joined a high altitude medical research team on an expedition to Ecuador, where they summitted Chimborazo and Cotopaxi. Kay Alderton joined a group to climb two trekking peaks in the Mount Everest area. In November they ascended Gokyo Ri (17,800 feet) and Kala Patter (18,200 feet) without incident. However, unexpected storms with heavy snowfall and rain raised havoc and delayed their return to Kathmandu.

Locally the club worked to prevent impending development in Scottsdale from closing some of the area's best rock climbing crags. Many members assisted with the annual Phoenix Bouldering Contest, one of the largest climbing events in the United States. Several Adopt-A-Highway cleanups were held throughout the year, as were presentations and displays about climbing for local civic groups and outdoor retailer shows.

Two basic rock climbing courses with approximately 40 students each were conducted in the spring and fall. Additional training in advanced anchors and rope work, backcountry first-aid and evacuation, and winter mountaineering were sponsored.

Regular club outings frequented areas in and around Arizona and the Southwest. Trips to Indian Creek, Utah, and to southern California at Tahquitz/Suicide Rocks and at Joshua Tree National Park for Thanksgiving week continued to be popular.

Tim Schneider, President