A year of Climbing & Community for the Mountaineering Section

The end of 2010 brings with it the end to yet another banner year of climbing and community for the Mountaineering Section. As always the Mountaineering Section carried on its greatest tradition of offering a truly welcoming place for new and old climbers alike to connect and enjoy our passion for the rocks and mountains.

Christina Cox & Court Zabel on the Summit of Mt Olympus

From amongst dozens and dozens of outstanding photos, our members have selected the following WINNERS for the 2010 Photo Contest

Club Colors: John Oster. Rainier Summit. (prize: Autographed Glen Denny print)

Ice: Ian Francis, Unknown Climber on Overall Falls. (prize: Ice screw and box of hand warmers)

Mountaineering/Alpine: David Giacomin. Mile 6 of the Mountaineers Route on Mt Whitney - April 2010. (prize: Two 36 inch snow pickets and crampon bag)

Journeys: Dave Green. Ellesmere Island campsite across from the Lupus Glacier and Viking Ice Cap. (prize: Adventure Medical Kit and Petzl e-lite headlamp)

Rock: Shane Shin. 7-5-10 at the Gunks - Trapps, Three Pines subject is Adam Winslow.  (prize: BD neutrino carabiner rack pack and Platypus w/ Metolius mini biner)

The entries can still be viewed below. Well worth a look as we had some incredible entries this year.

If you haven't sumbitted your entries yet This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday 12/10

The prizes for the 2010 Photo Contest have arrived, and await the announcement of the winners at the annual Christmas Party on Saturday December 11th.

• Alpine Climbing: Two 36 inch snow pickets and crampon bag
• Ice Climbing: Ice screw and package of hand warmers
• Rock Climbing: BD neutrino carabiner rack pack and Platypus w/ Metolius mini biner
• Journeys:  Adventure Medical Kit and Petzl e-lite headlamp

Finally, for the Club Colors category, we have a very special prize: an autographed photograph of the winner's choosing from the portfolio of Glen Denny.

There are many member-organized benefits to membership in PATC/MS beyond this listserv, everything from to Alpine Skills Weekend, to ice climbing at the Dack's House, to Seneca on the 4th of July.

Now, our very own Neil Arsenault has called upon his gear-industry connections to step up and offer us a fantastic deal on Wild Country & Trango Gear! Between now and the December meeting on 12/8, all PATC/MS members in good standing can order anything from Wild Country or Trango at 30% off retail prices with no tax and no postage charge.

The gear won't likely make it to your Christmas stocking, but it should be here in time for the ice climbing season.

For those of you who aren't members at the moment: if you sign up now your membership will be good through January 2012. To join online via PayPal simply follow the instructions to Join/Renew.

Here how it works:

1. Check the Wild Country or Trango company websites for gear,
2. Check online retailers for retail prices, and send your order to Neil Arsenault at arsenault -at-email.com
3. Neil will confirm with you the discounted purchase price for any gear you may be ordering.
4. Bring your checkbook to the December meeting