Lucho Rivera – First Ascents from the Bay Area to the Sierra Location: Victory House, Club 300 Room at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) Lucho Rivera shares his collection of photos from twenty years of first ascents in Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne Meadows, High Sierra, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Lucho is a San Francisco native who started climbing around the Bay Area and Yosemite. He spent his early years climbing primarily in Yosemite honing his crack skills and building a love for first ascents. He has free climbed El Capitan and made first free ascents of Liberty Cap and Wapama Rock. Lucho works closely with the Yosemite Climbing Association to preserve the history of climbing and to educate our communities on better practices for climbers.

Marty Isom: Tanzania From Top to Bottom Location: Victory House, Club 300 Room at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) Come explore the richness of Tanzania from the top of Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro, to the depths of the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Spice Islands. In between is a rich tapestry of cultures and wildlife. Marty Isom, a long time Rock Ice & Mountain Club member, world traveler and photographer will share his incredible trip to Tanzania.

Armin Fisher: Traversing the Alps on Skis During Covid Location: Victory House, Club 300 Room at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) Armin Fisher is a mountain and ski guide based in Northern Italy. Armin was the first non-Italian to be certified through Italy’s UIAGM guiding program and has been guiding all over the world for over 30 years. As a child Armin grew up in Napa County and has now returned and is living here full time. This presentation covers the European alpine chain ski traverse from the Mediterranean Sea near Nice to Eastern Austria. Armin completed this with three clients over two years in 2020/2021. It is rarely done, and during the Covid pandemic, it had its special challenges!

Evan Wisheropp: Redwood Burl – A New Guide to Unknown Climbing in Northwest California Location: Victory House, Room 200 at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) The vast rock climbing in the far northwest corner of California has been largely under wraps. Few knew about it, so few went (except for the lucky locals!). Meet the author of the new climbing guidebook to the area and find out what new adventures await on your next road trip. From inland limestone, quartzite, granite, and marble to pocketed coastal sandstone, the region is packed with enough volume to keep you busy for decades to come… if you know where to find it! The Redwood Burl Climber’s Guide To Northwest California gives detailed directions to each crag and detailed route and gear beta for over 1300+ routes. In this presentation, Evan will go through the book and show photos from many of the must-see spots.

There will be no general meeting on July 4th because of the Fourth of July holiday. We’ll see you on August 1 for a presentation by Evan Wisheropp on his new guidebook, Redwood Burl.

Inga Aksamit – Beyond Energy Bars: How to Eat Well in the Backcountry Location: Victory House, Room 200 at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) Join Inga Aksamit, long distance backpacker and author of two meal planning books in The Hungry Spork series to help you prepare delicious gourmet lunches and dinners that are healthy, light and easy to prepare on the trail.

Lena Haug: The Mongol Derby, The World’s Longest and Toughest Horse Race Location: Victory House, Room 200 at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) Lena Haug was born and raised in Sonoma County and is a professional equestrian, pilot and outdoor enthusiast. Lena competed in the world’s longest and toughest horse race this past July 2022 named the Mogol Derby. The race covers over a 1000km across rural central Mongolia on 29 different feral horses in under 10 days. Each leg has its own wild and unique story that Lena will share with us. Lena’s website and blog is https://www.lenahaug.com/derby-blog photos: Shari Thompson

April 4 – Chris McNamara: From Bigwalls and BASE to Building Mountain Communities Chris McNamara shares his personal journey from outdoor first ascents to community first ascents in South Lake Tahoe and will provide examples and opportunities across the Sierra for outdoor and community development.

March 7: Ney Grant – Backcountry and Remote Climbing in the West: Rocks, Airplanes, Ebikes and Mules Ney Grant is the author of two books, “Fifty Classic Destinations for Pilots” and his newest, “Fifty Classic Adventures in California”, a diverse adventure guide to many of the National Parks and adventure venues in California. Ney’s presentation will be on remote, backcountry climbing and canyoneering adventures in California, Nevada and Utah. Ney is a pilot and has used his plane both to extend his reach but also to scout new areas and new lines. Many of these areas are a challenge to reach so Ney and his wife Betsy have used the plane, ATVs, mules, ebikes and even a porter hired using an ad placed on Mountain Project. The presentation is designed as inspiration and motivation to climb and explore beyond the guidebook. As part of the evening program Ney will share descriptions and topos of several unpublished climbing areas and routes in both California and Nevada, including routes that Ney and Betsy established themselves. Just don’t expect an easy approach. Ney is an award winning photographer and you can preview his work and adventures on his flying blog at www.westcoastflyingadventures.com or … READ MORE

February 7 – Jerry Dodrill: Chasing Light-Adventures Behind the Lens Location: Victory House, Room 200 at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Time & Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour and free beer for members at 6:30) Photographer Jerry Dodrill will share stories from recent expeditions in the Grand Canyon, Greenland, and Kyrgyzstan.