AAC, Oregon Section. The Oregon Section has been infused with some new members and great input. Tom Thrall continues to work on various conservation projects for the upcoming year. Tom Thrall, Tom Bennett and I recently decided to mix a little fun with goodwill for the U.S. Forest Service. In recent years the Forest Service has monitored surface water quality (annually) for human contamination, along the popular South Climb route on Mt. Adams. An offer by the AAC to climb the mountain to collect the samples in August was gratefully accepted. After an exhilarating east-side glacial ascent under clear skies, the sampling sites were located on the descent in whiteout conditions as the weather rapidly deteriorated. The samples were then analyzed by the State Lab for coliform bacteria. The Forest Service has expressed interest in biannual sampling, beginning in 1997.

There was an A AC-organized cleanup of Rocky Butte in July. The road and upper butte gets trashed by sight-seers and cruisers. It seems like each year a cleanup will need to take place to take care to maintain a quality bouldering and climbing area.

Ian Wade and I have worked on an AAC Oregon Section library for research of historical information. Bill Hackett’s library has been a good one for private research. Section member Tom Bennett has a library of polar research and exploration for use. Barbara Bower is supplying the Oregon Section Library a full collection of the Himalayan Bulletin.

Oregon Section members Gary Beyl, Tom Bennett and I put together a unique set of framed 8” x 10” photographs of the 1910 C. E. Rusk expedition on McKinley. C. E. Rusk’s was the first expedition to disprove Frederick Cook’s claim to the summit of Mt. McKinley. Many of these photographs, from lantern slides of Bilmore Brown and C. E. Rusk, have never been printed.

Oregon Section member Jeff Alzner and Fred Zeil summitted on Broad Peak with their Canadian friends. It was a great summit experience.

Closer to home, the Madrone Wall, an excellent climbing area with 120-plus routes, is still threatened by the county, which is poised to reopen it as a gravel pit. Blasting holes have been drilled into the 150-foot cliff base.

Bob McGown