Kimbrough Moore – Sandbagged: Climbing Grades, Gender and the Myth of Consensus Location: Victory House, Club 300 Room at the Epicenter, 3125 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa Date & Time: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 @ 7:30 PM (Social hour at 6:30) Most people are told that climbing grades are the result of a community consensus around difficulty, and although they aren’t perfect, grades are a decent measure of the effort or skill required by a climb. Kimbrough Moore’s presentation will explore the process that leads to climbing grades, and as we will see, consensus is never reached and seldom even attempted. Original research on the authorship of climbing guides and first ascents in California shows that men are responsible for the overwhelming majority of grading. This leads to a gender bias in climbing grades, making grades more accurate for men than women. There are no villains in this story, but there are simple things that climbers, first ascensionists, and guidebook authors can do to make climbing grades more accurate for everyone. These changes will be incorporated into the next edition of Yosemite Bouldering and Golden State Bouldering, which Kimbrough has authored. Kimbrough Moore has been climbing for 30 years and is … READ MORE

The Rock Ice & Mountain Club is once again teaming up with the Bay Area Climbers Coalition for an Adopt-A-Crag event at Mount Saint Helena on November 5, 2023. To volunteer, go to the link below to sign up or use the QR code on the flyer below. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mount-saint-helena-adopt-a-crag-on-november-5th-tickets-722273829467?aff=oddtdtcreator

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.