A Message From AAC Leadership
Originally published in Guidebook XVI
Each year, I am struck by the breadth of what the American Alpine Club makes possible. Our impact cannot be measured by a single number or program alone. It is the sum of lifesaving benefits, world-class publications, and the countless moments of inspiration and connection we create together.
Beyond any measure, it is the stories that reveal our true impact. Though we have mentioned it frequently in previous editions of the Guidebook, we can’t speak enough about the monumental passing of the EXPLORE Act last December—the biggest recreation bill to ever be passed by Congress, a truly historic feat that will have important ripple effects in the years to come for protecting climbing on our public lands. Yet celebrating the importance of the EXPLORE Act cannot encapsulate the volume of work behind it: the hours of work that went into meetings, collaborations, and research to help make this bill possible. While the work is never done to protect climbing access on our public lands, I would be remiss not to celebrate this landmark achievement for the climbing community.
Similarly, the signing of a new ten-year contract with Grand Teton National Park to continue as a concessionaire for the Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch is more than just an extension of operations as usual. It is a symbol of our increased commitment to our lodging offerings across the country and enabling access to world-class climbing through our facilities.
This year, we also secured funding to double the Climbing Grief Fund, ensuring that more climbers experiencing grief and loss can get the support they need in the darkest of times. A dollar amount can’t capture the emotional impact that such grief and mental health resources symbolize.
This steady delivery of our most important work sets us up well for new and exciting developments to come in the years ahead.
In the meantime, we also continue to deliver a steady drumbeat of inspiring stories from the climbers who make up AAC membership. In Guidebook XVI, you’ll find another edition rife with inspiration. First, in “The Fluidity of Grief and Beauty,” we look to McNeill-Nott Award recipient Heather Smallpage to learn about their first ascent in Baffin Island, and the complex lessons they learned from that expedition. Following that, we dive into the modern Hueco Tanks climbing scene, in “The Lizard Life,” to get just a little stoked about Hueco crimping and the culture that has emerged from it. Next, in “Foremothers,” we explore how four founding members of the American Alpine Club still have much to teach us from their life experiences nearly 125 years ago. Finally, in these pages, you’ll also find our Impact Report for fiscal year 2025.
I hope you enjoy these stories of inspiration and that they feed the flame of your passion for climbing. Harness that passion—it results in incredible impact.
Ben Gabriel
AAC Executive Director
Support the Club
Donate today and support the AAC’s work. Just like putting in the work on your climbing project, or that long hike to an obscure alpine adventure, we all know that it takes dedication to progress in climbing. It is the dedication of donors and supporters like you that helps the AAC progress in our work—so thank you!
AAC Updates
Photo by AAC member Daniel Johnson.
Advocacy
As the United States Federation Member for the UIAA, the AAC will attend the UIAA General Assembly in Kosovo from October 23 to 26, 2025.
Operations and Governance
We are pleased to welcome new staff to the American Alpine Club team, including IT & Database Manager Marshall Harris and Managing Editor Matt Samet.
Member Services
On October 18 the Club gathered for our 2025 Gala. We celebrated our collective impact and the 2025 awardees. Congratulations to:
Jack Tackle—Honorary Membership
Kelly Cordes—Pinnacle Award
Outdoor Alliance—David R. Brower Conservation Award
Brooke Raboutou—Robert Hicks Bates Award
Michael Wejchert—H. Adams Carter Literary Award
Groupe Militaire de Haute Montagne (Jacques-Olivier Chevallier, Vivien Berlaud, Paulin Clovis)—David A. Sowles Memorial Award
Rick Wilcox—Angelo Heilprin Citation