Mark Styczynski

Only the fourth time ever. Beckey to be Awarded AAC Gold Medal “The President's Gold Medal is given very rarely—this is the fourth time it has been given in the Club's 113-year history—for extraordinary accomplishments in the climbing world,” said AAC President Mark Kroese. “Fred Beckey is being recognized this year for a lifelong devotion to climbing and first ascents that is unmatched over generations. Fred has put climbing in front of virtually everything else in his life. We honor both his dedication to the craft and the thousands of routes he has left for us all to enjoy.” [img:center]http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/12/16/sports/16beckey3_600.JPG[/img]

Started looking at this the other night and finally got a chance to read it start-to-finish tonight. Outstanding and inspiring to say the least. Great TR. Congrats on an impressive climb.