Steve Grossman

Northwest Climbers If you are heading to Yosemite or know anyone that plans to, check out the Oakdale Climbers Festival happening in Oakdale, CA October 17-19, 2014. OAKDALE CLIMBERS FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASE 2014 This coming October 17-19 at the Gene Bianchi Community Center in Oakdale, California, climbers, outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs will be gather for the third annual Oakdale Climbers Festival. The theme for 2014 is: A Woman’s Reach- Adventures in a Parallel Realm. We will be taking a diverse look at women’s climbing history drawing upon the experiences, wisdom and perspective of several generations of women climbers. A Woman’s Reach is the title of Nea Morin’s 1968 autobiography. She actively pioneered difficult climbs in the Alps, often with other women, after World War I. Nea understood the importance and context of her accomplishments and took the time to compile a list of notable feminine first ascents worldwide included as an appendix. Following the end of World War II, despite a surge in interest in climbing, the proportion of women and standard of their achievement failed to match prewar levels. Nea noted “There are now many more women’s parties climbing on British hills, in the Alps and in the Himalayas than in the past. Nevertheless during the twenty years since the war there has not been a great number of notable first ascents by women’s parties in the Alps and the tremendous increase in the standard of climbing achieved by men has now widened the gap between men and women”. We will be examining this historical trend and the subsequent rise to parity with climbs such as Lynn Hill’s free ascent of the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The advent of climbing gyms (with ready access to the experience of climbing) and other cultural changes have contributed to a marked shift in the demographics of our sport. We will be hearing directly from the women who have shared and shaped the passion and dreams of their own time in order to inspire those present to claim their own new realms of adventure. Inspiration, mutual appreciation and respect are at the heart of our Festival. On Friday evening at 6:00 pm after opening remarks, keynote speaker and world renowned mountaineering historian, Audrey Salkeld will discuss her selection of historical women climbers of note. Following this presentation we will celebrate the 36th anniversary of the successful 1978 American Women’s Himalayan Expedition. After screening Dyanna Taylor’s documentary film Annapurna: A Woman’s Place and hearing her commentary, we will hear from all of the available surviving members of the team about this grand adventure and how it has fit into their lives. Expedition leader Arlene Blum, summit climber Irene Beardsley, Annie Whitehouse, Christy Tews and Piro Kramar will share their reflections with us. Jan Sacherer has studied Sherpa culture intensively and will close the evening with a brief commentary on the immediate local perception of this ground breaking expedition. The program will conclude by 10 pm. On Saturday beginning at 10 am panels of three speakers per hour will reflect qualitatively on their roots as climbers, the influence of other women either mentoring or inspiring them to set their goals and direction and on important partnerships and pivotal adventures. Speakers will illuminate the challenges and gifts of friendship and community that climbing has to offer. Substantial breaks between panels are intended to encourage personal interaction and discussion. The prospective speakers on Saturday include: Arlene Blum, Irene Beardsley, Janie Taylor, Jan Sacherer, Elaine Mathews, Cherry Schacher (Merritt), Rosie Andrews, Jill Lawrence, Annie Whitehouse, Kitty Calhoun, Maria Cranor, Mari Gingery, Carla Firey, Ellie Hawkins, Sibylle Hechtel, Barbara Eastman-Kimbrough and Beth Wald with more to be added. The program will conclude by 10 pm. The Sunday program will begin at 10 am and will involve smaller panels of two discussing their recent activities, goals and influences. Speakers will include Beth Rodden, Madaleine Sorkin, Heidi Wirtz, Pamela Shanti Pack and Mayan Smith-Gobat with more to be added. The Festival will conclude by 4 pm. Come and meet these amazing women and hear about their adventures worldwide at the Oakdale Climbers Festival. North American Climbing History (NACHA) director Steve Grossman is responsible for the Festival programming and content. More about NACHA is available at: climbinghistoryarchivesna.com More information can be found and tickets purchased on the Festival website. www.oakdaleclimbersfestival.com Don't miss this amazing historical gathering and please help spread the word so that folks know to come and join in the fun. Cheers, Steve Grossman

Northwest climbers, I am organizing the second annual Oakdale Climbers Festival and wanted to spread the word. Climbers and Sierra Nevada history buffs will be gathering in Oakdale California October 25-27 for the Oakdale Climbers Festival. The event opens on Friday evening with a discussion of climber-made films entitled Through Our Eyes- Climbing on Film. The theme for the remainder of the Festival is: The Granite Crucible- Community and the Evolution of Free Climbing in Yosemite. Saturday is titled A Circle of Friends and has Yosemite climbers of record reflecting on their own accomplishments and development as free climbers in relation to the human and natural resources unique to the Yosemite scene. Sunday is titled Standing Our Ground- The Preservation of Camp 4 and examines the historical significance of Camp 4 and the effort to protect it from development through inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Climbers, artists and NPS staffers will reflect on their efforts to maintain the character of the traditional climbers crossroads and home in Yosemite. Please visit the event website at: http://oakdaleclimbersfestival.com/ to register and purchase discounted tickets for the Festival ($25 before October 12 and $35 after that date and at thedoor). A full list of speakers and other useful information can also be found there. Don't miss this unique opportunity to come and meet these great climbers and hear about their adventures. See you there! Cheers, Steve Grossman