Success on Mt. Vinson
February 2008There’s something about Mt. Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, that seems to attract older New York Section members. In January 2006, Carolyne Gatesy, 55, and her husband, Don Lewis, 62, set the age record for a couple on Vinson. Don and Carolyne were recently featured in Working Wealth, a Smith Barney publication, which chronicled not only their business success but also their extensive outdoor activities.
Not to be outdone, in December 2007, Ciif Maloney, 70, and climbing partner Bob Street, 68, accompanied by guide Marty Schmidt, topped the previous individual age record for Americans on Vinson. Clif is a regular participant in the New York City Marathon, where his 3:35 time last year earned him second place among American finishers in his age group. All four climbers, including Bob, who lives in Colorado Springs, are regular attendees at the New York Section Annual Dinner.
—Phil Erard