Calling All AAC Members - Urgent Help Needed in Catskills Post Hurricane!

Dear Members:

24,000 people in Ulster County are still with out electricity. Two prime ice and summer climbing towns, Phoenicia and Tannersville have basically been destroyed. They need immediate help. To volunteer contact: (518) 458-8111 to register or email zimmerman@redcrossneny.org for 4 hour fast-track disaster relief training sessions. More information is also available on the Facebook page.

Click here to view a quick video of the destruction.

Also, donations can be sent to the following locations:

Shelter Donations: Family of New Paltz 51 N. Chestnut St New Paltz, 845-255-8801 accepts clothing donations. School clothes needed, in addition to clothes for hurricane victims.
FAMILY of Woodstock, Inc. 39 John Street Kingston (845) 331-7080
Contact the Red Cross directly to ask about clothing donations. Dutchess County Chapter: (845) 471-0200
North Country Chapter: (518) 561-7280
Northeastern NY Chapter: (518) 458-8111
Ulster County Chapter: (845) 338-7020

New AAC Facebook Page!

Please update your Facebook memberships and links to the new AAC Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Alpine-Club-Northeast-Region/219526988098336

Why the change? The new page covers the entire Northeast and is being maintained by the American Alpine Club. This way, we can keep all the members of the New York Section posted with the latest events and happenings throughout the Northeast.

Please Join Robert Walljasper for the Annual Picnic Sunday, September 11, 2011

Robert Walljasper, a NY Section Member and Professional Chef, cordially invites fellow alpinists and gourmets to his annual picnic in New Paltz at the Culinarian's Home Foundation.

This is quite an amazing and jolly event: 500 people or more at a seated and served Lunch a la Francaise under a big tent. All for an exceptionally low price: $45 per person including wine. For another $25 there is round trip bus transporation from New York. Close your eyes and you'd swear you were in Provence. Casual Attire.

We will be forming an AAC table so if you do decide to go, please let philiperard@nysalpineclub.org know.

So, why not climb on Saturday and/or Sunday morning and then join the festivities?

The event is being held at 71 Old Tschirky Road in New Paltz. Directions are on the bus form. Lunch is served at 1:30 PM, but coffee and danish are available for early arrivers.

Please e-mail Phil Erard if you are interested in going and having a sign-up form e-mailed to you.

Please note that no reservations will be accepted after August 29. No Exceptions.

K2 Summit Push Aborted

After reaching Camp IV and waiting for high winds to calm, Sophie and the rest of the K-2 team aborted their attempt and are descending to Base Camp after cleaing the route. A valiant try, but with no prospect of the winds diminishing, K-2 will remain unclimbed this year. No one has reached the summit since 2008 when 11 climbers died.

More news when the climbers reach Base Camp.

For more details, visit the Field Touring Alpine Blog: www.fieldtouring.blogspot.com

Sophie and the K-2 Summit Push is Beginning Now!

Sophie is part of a 15 person group,now at Camp 3, hoping to summit on Friday winds permitting.
No person has stood on the summit of K-2 since 2008 when 11 persons died.

http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/karakoram-2011-summit-push-on-k2-begins.html

Sophie on K2 - Hoping for a Summit Bid on August 5th!

After summitting Broad Peak last week, her third 8000 meter peak this year, NY Section Member Sophie Denis is now on K-2's Cesen Route, hoping for a weather window this Friday that will take her to the top. You may follow her daily progress on:

www.fieldtouring.blogspot.com