December 11 - International Mountain Day
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:12 pmI don't know if you guys were aware, but the UN General Assembly has identified December 11th as International Mountain Day.
The American Alpine Institute is doing a series of events (rock rescue clinics,a party, slideshows) in Bellingham to celebrate the day and to raise money for the purchase of the lower Index Town Walls to turn it into a permanent climber's park. If you're interested in the event, check out the following link:
http://www.aai.cc/imd
But if you're not interested in the AAI event, it's still worth knowing about the International Mountain Day and trying to take some time out of your day to think about the value of mountains not just as recreation resources, but also as engines of water production and the home to many distinct mountain cultures.
Obviously as climbers we already value mountains and see what they provide. But International Mountain Day is a good time to promote the mountains and their value to your non-climber friends. It's also a good time to donate to the mountain causes that you care about, but have kept putting off...whether it's the ASCA, the Access Fund, or a cultural charity for mountain people, it's just a good time to think about that stuff...
Anyway, I probably sound like an NPR fundraising drive, but I do think it's cool that there has been a day dedicated to the mountains and mountain people. I think that it's something that we all should try to embrace and promote...
What do you guys think?
Jason
The American Alpine Institute is doing a series of events (rock rescue clinics,a party, slideshows) in Bellingham to celebrate the day and to raise money for the purchase of the lower Index Town Walls to turn it into a permanent climber's park. If you're interested in the event, check out the following link:
http://www.aai.cc/imd
But if you're not interested in the AAI event, it's still worth knowing about the International Mountain Day and trying to take some time out of your day to think about the value of mountains not just as recreation resources, but also as engines of water production and the home to many distinct mountain cultures.
Obviously as climbers we already value mountains and see what they provide. But International Mountain Day is a good time to promote the mountains and their value to your non-climber friends. It's also a good time to donate to the mountain causes that you care about, but have kept putting off...whether it's the ASCA, the Access Fund, or a cultural charity for mountain people, it's just a good time to think about that stuff...
Anyway, I probably sound like an NPR fundraising drive, but I do think it's cool that there has been a day dedicated to the mountains and mountain people. I think that it's something that we all should try to embrace and promote...
What do you guys think?
Jason
