Thursday, April 28, 2011

Peak Experience VI at the Rubin Museum of Art

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE
Saturday July 23, 2011 @ 7:00 PM
Price: $175.00
Member Price: $157.50


www.rmanyc.org/events/load/1083

Discount are available for member parents of the AAC.

July 23-24th, 2011, will mark the Rubin Museum of Art's fifth Peak Experience. During this sleepover adventure forty children, ages nine to twelve, will work together to confront the physical challenges, consider the perils, experience the culture, and practice the team dynamics of climbing Mt. Everest (in the form of the museum's signature six-level spiral staircase covered with "snow," "ice," and "rocks" that threaten to avalanche).

Sherpas, museum guides, and some of the world's most experienced Mount Everest climbers will lead these young climbers through the basic camping, safety, teamwork, and leadership skills necessary for high altitude climbing. Led by Robert Anderson, a veteran of eight Everest expeditions, they will explore Himalayan art, Sherpa culture and food, and mountaineering etiquette. In order to reach the summit, participants must overcome the challenges climbers face, such as tying knots with mittens on and operating two-way radios. At nightfall the climbers will descend to base camp to enjoy a hearty tsampa dinner, exchange stories of the mysterious yeti that roams the slopes of Everest, and fall asleep under the mighty mountain's peak. Anderson will rappel straight down the center of the museum's spiral staircase hooked into a rope suspended from a ninety-foot-high atrium.

Tickets: $175 per child (registration is limited to forty children). Please call 212.620.5000 x344 for more information.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

A Tribute to Jim Goodwin

Jim Goodwin, Age 9, on top of Hopkins Mountain (1919).


Jim Goodwin’s broad lifetime achievements and involvements have been chronicled sufficiently. He broke many records and achieved many “firsts” but that is not all what Jim was about. He was a gentle and a humble man, civilized and yet modern in a way, and still Jim represented a world that does no longer exist in today’s age.

Those who study Adirondack history and lore will find many Mr. Adirondacks. Jim Goodwin was perhaps the last Mr. Adirondack our generation had the opportunity to know personally. That is a distinction and honor to Jim, and does not diminish the many other outstanding servants that still contribute in our days to the well-being of the Adirondack Wilderness.

In his private autobiography Jim reduces to 127 pages his life story sharing many unique photos with us of historical value: „And Gladly Guide“‚ ‘A Life in the Mountains’ is his summary of his life. Early on he notes “My identity appears to be that of a nineteenth century Adirondack guide, and by improvising on this theme, I have managed to keep practicing my art through most of the twentieth century.” He certainly was different than some of the hermits of older times that roamed the Adirondacks or the earlier explorers whose work made possible the establishment and management of the Park.

Having had privileged access to the area since early childhood he learned to appreciate the values that the Adirondacks represent and the responsibilities that needed to be developed and cherished. His vision for organized access, for the good of the Wilderness, can be exploited by today’s many visitors.

Late in life when he drafted his notes he realized: “Looking back from the objectivity of the 1990s, one side of me regrets that I ever helped bring more people to out of the way places in the mountains by constructing trails and describing routes to trailless peaks in the guide books. … But my other side argues that our good Lord created the world to be used by mankind and that we must be willing to share the good things of life, even though they get tarnished a bit in the process. Effective leadership in educating people to use the out of doors wisely and appreciatively can limit the amount of tarnish, and I am encouraged to see how successful, so far, education has been.”

Jim, it was my privilege to be able to share with you many hours in trail maintenance and summit reseeding efforts – work earmarked to guaranty future enjoyment of the Adirondacks. Those who now travel to the “Garden” parking lot to park their cars and begin their hike should bow their head and tip their hat when they pass by your cottage on the access road. It houses so many memories of what the Adirondacks are all about.

Friedel Schunk
member NYSAAC

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Book Party from Art & Adventures on April 29, 2011


The promise of viewing a total solar eclipse in 1994 inspired a group of artists to travel far beyond the end of the road into Bolivia’s Atacama Desert. This book features paintings of barren volcanic landscapes two miles above sea level, with a story recounts that the magic the mind can create amid salt lakes, peaks, geysers and remote outposts that reside far outside most of our experiences.

Book Party:

Friday April 29, 7 p.m.
11 Sterling Place, #3A, Brooklyn N.Y.

Signed numbered copies of the book will be available for $20 at the event

You can also purchase Three Artists in the Andes online here.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Jim Goodwin Obituary Notice

With deep regret, the American Alpine Club and the New York Section, wish to announce that our oldest member, James (Jim) Goodwin of Keene Valley, passed away on April 7 at the age of 101. A memorial service will be held at the Keene Valley Congregational Church on Saturday April 23 at 3PM with a reception to follow. Jim was an Adirondack legend and was personally responsible for many first ascents there and for cutting many of the trails we have all enjoyed in the High Peaks Region. He was also a WW II veteran of the 10th Mountain Division. Our deepest sympathies go to his son Tony and other family members. His obituary follows:

http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/523918/James-A--Goodwin.html?nav=5009

Monday, April 11, 2011

SAVE THE DATE : Annual Ausable Club Outing June 3-5, 2011

Annual Ausable Club Outing: June 3-5, 2011

Further Information and Subscription Details will be forthcoming in early May.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Follow Sophie Denis On Her Attempt at Five 8,000 Meter Peaks

Follow Sophie, a NY Section Member, on her current Himalayan Adventures, as she attempts to climb five 8000 meter peaks this year. These are Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Broad Peak, K-2 and Manaslu. Sophie climbed Everest via the North Side 2 years ago.

Follow the Climb

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Help a Fellow Climber - Auction Underway

As previously posted, fellow Alpine Club and NY Section member Rich Romano, was seriously injured in a fall at the City of Rocks last August. The AAC is participating in a climbing community effort to help Rich defray the huge costs of his heli rescue, hospitalization and subsequent rehabilitation, only partially reimbursed by his medical insurance.

As part of the effort, Marty Molitoris, head of the Alpine Endeavors guide service, is auctioning off two guided day climbs for 2 people at Mohonk, one for Millbrook and the other for Skytop. The Skytop auction also includes a mandatory meal at Mohonk Mountain House. Only approved guide services and their clients may, as you know, climb at Skytop.

The auction began last Tuesday and will end promptly on April 15 at 10PM. Winners of the auction may use the service any time until November.

In addition and separate from Marty's auction, the Mohonk Preserve is auctioning off 2 annual family passes to the Preserve, all proceeds to go to the Romanofund.

Beginning bids on the guided climbs are suggested at $200 for Millbrook and $400 for Skytop, well below list . The Mohonk Preserve passes are valued at $150 each. These are valid for one year and can be added to an existing membership. Beginning bids on the Preserve passes start at $5,

Details on all the above may be found at http://alpineendeavors.com/romanoauction.html

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Auction to Help the Rich Romano Fund


Marty Molitoris, head of the Alpine Endeavors Guide Service, is contributing his services with an auction of a guided day climb on either Millbrook or Skytop, all proceeds benefiting the Rich Romano Fund.

Here's a great way to help Rich defray the huge cost of his accident and rehabilitation and have an enjoyable day with one of the top Gunks Guides.

Bidding starts on April 5 at 10 PM and will last exactly 10 days.

Click here to find out all the details : http://www.alpineendeavors.com/romanoauction.html