ICE CLIMBING NEWS ITEM

American Alpine Club to Host Climbatology

SUNDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2008

Golden, Colorado – On February 22nd from 6-8pm, the American Alpine Club (AAC) will present a special event called “Climbatology” at Golden’s American Mountaineering Center. The event will be hosted by Conrad Anker, AAC Board Member, Climber extraordinaire, ambassador for The North Face, and “the man who found Mallory” on Mt. Everest. Anker will share his own observations on climate change before introducing Alton Byers, who will unveil what is arguably the best photographic documentation of how climate change is affecting the world’s highest, most famous mountain.

Byers, a mountain geographer and Director of the Alpine Conservation Partnership, spent 30 days in the Mt. Everest region this fall, recreating the prized 1950s-era photographs of Swiss glaciologist Fritz Müller and Austrian alpinist and mapmaker Erwin Schneider. “This is the first time that their photographs have been replicated, and they give us an on-the-ground experience of climate change in the Everest region during the past 50 years,” said Byers. Financing the expedition were the American Alpine Club, the Mountain Institute, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. At Climbatology, Byers will be joined by Dawa Sherpa to present the photographic pairs along with oral testimonies from local stakeholders. Their presentation, “50 Years of Climate, Culture, and Landscape Change around Mt. Everest,” begins at 6pm MST.

Then, at 7pm, the second half of Climbatology will feature Patagonia Inc. alpine climbing ambassador Kitty Calhoun. Her presentation, “Last Ascents,” brings the impacts of climate change closer to home, looking at alpine routes that may never have another ascent because of the effects of global warming.

There is no set charge to attend Climbatology, but donations are requested. Hosted by the AAC with support from Patagonia Inc. and The North Face, the event is a fundraiser for the Alpine Conservation Partnership, co-founded by the AAC and the Mountain Institute. Because of the historic nature of this event, those wanting to attend should arrive early to claim a seat. Highlights, podcasts and a short film of the event will also be posted following the show at www.AmericanAlpineClub.org, patagonia.com, and thenorthface.com.

About the American Alpine Club:
The American Alpine Club unites and inspires the climbing community to advance the climbing way of life, with a focus on knowledge, conservation, advocacy and logistical support. The AAC publishes the definitive annual record of the world’s most ambitious climbs, the American Alpine Journal, and operates the Western Hemisphere’s largest mountaineering library. The Alpine Conservation Partnership builds on a long line of landmark conservation and advocacy efforts, dating back 100 years to when John Muir presided over the club. The AAC also runs the Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch, provides Global Rescue service, stages events, and offers more grants to fund climbing expeditions than any other US organization. Learn more and become a member at www.AmericanAlpineClub.org.

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