2016 Winter Outing

Rufus on the ascent of Algonquin Peak (5,115 ft), MacIntyre Range, Adirondacks

The annual Metro NY Section Adirondack Winter Outing was held January 22-24 and in spite of the fall weather that lasted well into December winter did finally arrive in the Dacks. As usual, we booked the entire Rock & River Lodge in Keene, NY, for the exclusive use of NY Section members and guests. Both the snow and ice conditions were better than expected and we had an enthusiastic 30+ crew of both new faces and longtime friends. In an ironic twist, a monster winter storm hit NYC just as we were all headed north looking for snow. 

After happy-hour and dinner Saturday night the Section flag was presented to Mark Aiston and Rufus Van Gruisen to carry on their upcoming trip to Nepal and climb of Mera Peak (21,247 ft). We look forward to a safe return and some good stories from Mark and Rufus at the Spring Outing. This was followed by Michael Schlenker's recount of his recent climbing exploits in the Alaska Range. I'm happy to report that our member involved in a climbing accident on the backside of Pitchoff Saturday is back home and recovering well. Thank you to all that lent a hand Sunday and helped with this.

Please mark your calendars for January 20-22, 2017 for next year's Winter Outing. I look forward to seeing some of you again at the Banff Film Festival in NYC, the Gunks work weekends this spring and at other Club events. Don't forget to reserve your tickets for the Club's Annual Benefit Dinner featuring Alhex Honnald in Washington D.C. at the end of this month. 

Best regards, 

Howard Sebold 
Metro NY Section Chair, AAC

Snow bike to ice climb, Chapel Pond Canyon 

Slopes of Algonquin

Some shots from Cascade X-Country Ski Center

What is more fun than a fat wheeled snow bike!