2007 Annual Report of the Boston Chapter Mountaineering Committee

The MOUNTAINEERING COMMITTEE (MC) continued to promote climbing and protect access to climbing areas. The MC offered its ice climbing instructional program in the winter and its rock climbing course for beginners in the spring as well as other courses for experienced climbers, published a climbers' newsletter, operated a web site, contributed $6,000 to help acquire land for access to Farley Ledge, worked to preserve and develop the Quincy Quarries and hosted a variety of social events as part of maintaining an active climbing community.

Instructional Programs

The MC taught beginning rock and ice climbing this year, as it has for many decades. Chris McNeil, Mare Weiss, Adam Chu, John Hazell and Ron Birk directed the multi-weekend rock course, with many others serving as weekend co-leaders and assistants. Approximately 40 experienced climbers volunteered their time to teach over 60 new climbers.

The ice climbing instructional program was directed by David Yee, Simon Kozin, Mare Weiss, Ian Springsteel and David Gibbs. Approximately 20 experienced ice climbers volunteered their time to act as co-leaders and assistants to teach over 20 students. The Harvard Cabin in Jackson, NH was utilized as a base of operations for the upcountry weekends.

Advanced training was offered by organizing programs of instruction taught by certified guides. Nancy Savickas and Richard Doucette coordinated these activities. The courses offered were “Avalanche Awareness” and “Climbing Rescue”.

Preservation of Quincy Quarries

Though committee member Larry Sodano, the Mountaineering Committee continues to pressure the Big Dig and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR) to complete the transfer of more than $700,000 to the DCR for the Quarries as agreed when the Big Dig was allowed to fill and cap the quarries from the Big Dig excavations. However, no money has yet been transferred. This money would significantly assist the DCR with management and maintenance of the Quarries. This item needs continued attention.

Access to Farley Ledge

With $6,000 in financial support from the MC, the Western Massachusetts Climbers’ Coalition (WMCC) was able to acquire a parcel of land at the base of Farley Ledge in Erving, MA that will assure that climbers and hikers have access to Farley Ledge, one of the best climbing locations between the White Mountains and the Shawangunks.

The Crux Newsletter and Web Site

The MC published 3 issues of our newsletter entitled The Crux, edited by Al Stebbins and Nancy Zizza, sent to over 400 people. The MC operates a web site, http://bostonclimbers.org, managed by Ron Birk. Both the Crux and Web Site contain news of interest to the Boston climbing community.

Weekend Trips

Weekend trips were sponsored throughout the year. Over one hundred climbing leaders, new seconds, and assistants participated in New Seconds Weekend conducted in May. A Summer gathering, organized by Eric Engberg, was held in August near Rumney Rocks in New Hampshire and the Fall Frolic camping weekend near the Shawangunks in New York was held in October with 80 participants. Tom Maguire, with assistance from Rick Buirkle have organized the New Seconds and Fall Frolic weekends for many years.

Monthly Get-Togethers and Annual Holiday Party

The MC sponsored monthly get-togethers on the first Thursday of each month. In addition to the monthly Climbers Nights, the MC will hold a Holiday Party in December. Approximately 130 climbers are expected to attend. Paul Dale is coordinating this event.

For the BCMC,
Paul Dale, Chair