Whoever would have thought that a 93-year old climber would have created the greatest demand for tickets and the earliest sellout in the 27-year history of the New York Section Annual Dinner? There should be no surprise when that person was Charles S. Houston, M.D., leader of three American expeditions to K-2, going all the way back to 1938. The topic of his presentation and accompanying film was "The Brotherhood of the Rope" , about the dramatic events surrounding the 1953 American Expedition to K-2 which will go down in history for " The Belay", Pete Schoening’s improbable ice-axe belay which saved 5 lives, including Houston’s own. ( Interestingly the "COB", an abbreviation for Children of the Belay, had one of their periodic reunions just a short while before. A large group, they owe their existence to Schoening’s skill and presence of mind).
While Charlie is feeling his age in certain respects, his sharpness and mental acuity is not at all diminished, and the otherwise tough New York crowd showered him with love and affection. What was not lost on the audience was the sharp contrast between the selfless ethic of 1953 K-2 team and that of certain present-day Everest climbers who reportedly passed a dying climber by without offering assistance.
Dr. Charles Houston
Charlie at the happy hour
In addition Dinner attendees were regaled by a short video on " The Great Everest Sleepover of 2006", a simulated overnight climb of Everest last June by a group of middle-schoolers inside the Rubin Himalayan Museum in Manhattan. This group of 11-14 year olds was guided by Luis Benitez and a cadre of AAC Members who volunteered their services for the weekend. This 9- minute video is the result of hours of editing by Howard Sebold and Richard Ryan and hopefully will appear, in due course, on the Section or Club website.
New York Section Flag Number One was presented to long-time member Dr. Sam Silverstein to accompany him to Antarctica for a 40th Anniversary Expedition to Vinson this December. Sam was on the AAC team which succeeded in making first ascents of all the principal peaks in the Ellsworth Range in 1966. Among his teammates on that historic expedition were Nick Clinch and the late Pete Schoening.
Due credit should also be given to Olaf Soot for an extraordinary exhibit of Adirondack Photographs which also appear in his recently published book "Adirondacks Alive".
Also 11 new members were introduced, gently "roasted" and presented their AAC membership pins by Mike Barker, Membership Chairman. Finally, special Plaques were presented to Todd Fairbairn, Holly Edelson and other Section Members who labored long hours in connection with the Club’s 2005-2006 Pakistan Earthquake Relief Initiative.
The Black Tie gala was held on November 11 at the Union Club in Manhattan, scene of all other previous events.
Phil Erard
NY Section Chairman