'08 BLACK TIE DINNER
By Phil Erard, New York Section

Friends,

Despite all sorts of gloomy news from Wall Street, the 29th Annual New York Section Dinner was one of the most successful ever. A full house greeted Special Guests Conrad Anker and his wife Jenni Lowe-Anker. In addition, Mark Richey, returning the New York Section Flag, told of first ascent successes in the Karakoram on his last trip there. In a short and amusing video, we witnessed Howard and Shayna Sebold tie the knot on top of Skytop in the Gunks, which they reached via Overhanging Overhang. Twelve new members, including 5 women, were introduced and we marked the 50th and 25th Membership Anniversaries of George Wallerstein and Carlo Filiaci respectively.

A moment of silence was observed for Bill Eldridge, who lost his life in a tragic climbing accident in the Gunks last month.

The black tie event was run as a benefit for the Alpine Club Library and the Sherpa Climbing School which is supported by the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation. Among the highlights was a live auction of a week in a private home in Sun Valley and a portfolio of prints autographed by Brad Washburn. Special thanks go to our indefatigable auctioneers, Steve Schofield and D. Byers, who journeyed down from New Hampshire for the event as well as the donors and purchasers of these items.

Special thanks also go to our sponsor Climbing Magazine which provided a handsome leather and cloth flight bag for each of the guests.

For a link to a Rock and Ice article on the event by Susan Schwartz click here.

You may also be interested in a Climbing Magazine writeup. Click here to reach the article.

For a video of a Forbes Magazine interview by NY Section Member Jim Clash with Jenni Lowe-Anker click here.

Next year's event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday November 14, 2009.

Phil Erard
NY Section Chair