Gear hire rates will be changing soon. Check out the new rates for club trips and private trips. While the rates are increasing, remember that rates haven't increased since 2006 and club gear hire is still much cheaper than commercial hire rates. These increased rates will provide more money for gear maintenance and buying new gear.

A TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN HALL
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
DUNAGIRI EXPEDITION 1978

On behalf of the members of the 1978 ANUMC Dunagiri Expedition, I would like to convey our deep regret that we have lost our first expedition member, Lincoln Hall.

Since that first trip to the Himalayas, many of us have had close calls in the mountains, this especially can be said of Lincoln. None of us would ever have anticipated that Lincoln would die with his boots off!

In 1975, the ANUMC decided to do something about getting an Australian onto the summit of Mt Everest.

In 1978 the first stepping stone was the ANUMC Dunagiri Expedition. This was probably one of the most inexperienced teams to ever attempt a serious Himalayan mountain.

Two members stood out, Tim McCartney-Snape, and Linc.
They were already an exceptional team, with formidable ascents in New Zealand.

On Dunagiri, in a last minute dash, they set off on a lightweight attempt to reach the summit. Such an attempt is termed ill fated if it ends in disaster and, if it succeeds, it is termed ‘audacious’.

The cheers that rocked base camp as they left their bivvy at 20,000 feet and struck out for the summit, were deafening - crazily audacious!

Over the next few years, the 1978 expeditioners shared in Linc and Tim’s successes. We had a bond and their successes filled us with a personal pride.

In 1984, Linc took part in the Australian expedition that made the first ascent of the Great Couloir on the north side of Mt Everest. Two Australians reached the summit. Linc was unable to make the top, but this enabled him to give, vital assistance to his friend Greg Mortimer. Greg states that Lincoln saved his life.

In 2006, Lincoln scared the hell out of us, then it all turned to sheer joy! More cheers for Linc. And we are also happy that he finally got there, to the top of the world.

Lincoln is the best person I can think of to have with you in a tight spot. I never saw him unnerved. He was always cool and could never resist coming out with one of his puns. I called him ‘cool handed Linc’. He liked that. He called me, (in public), 'hot cock’!

On behalf of the Expeditioners, I would like to say to Barbara, Dylan and Dorje, that we are so sorry for your loss and that you can call on us at any time, if you need help.

Peter Cocker
for
The ANUMC 1978 Dunagiri Expedition.

Lincoln was the finest of outdoorsmen and adventurers, a generous and charming man, a talented author, a philanthropist, and a loving father. He was a friend to all who knew him and the preeminent alumni of the Australian National University Mountaineering Club.

Lincoln was a Canberra boy. He grew up in Red Hill and went to Telopea Park High, he studied Zoology at the ANU. He learned to climb at Booroomba Rocks (where he did first ascents of crag classics like the Eiger Direct), developed his ice climbing skills at Blue Lake and trained by traversing the walls of ANU buildings. He was one of us.

Lincoln had his real start with mountaineering when he participated in Club expeditions to New Zealand from 1975 to 1978. This culminated in the 1978 ANUMC expedition to the Himalayan peak Dunagiri (7066m) where Lincoln played a pivotal role in the Summit push and lost his first toes to frostbite. Lincoln was helicoptered off the mountain by Indian authorities but never received the bill - until it finally arrived with the Club in 1996, much to our bemusement.

After Dunagiri, Lincoln's mountaineering career went from strength to strength as he participated in and lead numerous climbing adventures around the world. Amongst these were two expeditions to climb Everest (including the first Australian expedition in 1984); the first ascent of Mt Minto Antarctica (1998) and ascents of other notable peaks including Annapurna II (7963m), Makalu (8481m) and the Carstensz Pyramid in Irian Jaya. He was most well known for his miraculous survival after his ascent of Mt Everest in 2006 when he was left for dead near the summit and he survived the night, returning without his fingers and toes but with his wit, intelligence and humanity intact. He wrote numerous books, was a founding member of the philanthropic organisation the Australian Himalayan Foundation and was a remarkable speaker, sharing his inspiring experiences with audiences around the world.

But all this is of secondary importance. Lincoln was first and foremost a remarkable human being. He had a natural generosity, humour and friendliness that made him welcome wherever he went. A common thread through many of Lincoln's expeditions was that he put his companions before himself, ensuring their safety rather than risking all for a fleeting foot on the summit. I remember contacting him in 1996 to ask if he would help us celebrate the ANUMC's 30th birthday. He could not have been more delighted than to come and share stories with likeminded outdoors folks, many of whom shared his passion for wild places and love of adventure. He even returned an ice screw to the gearstore that was, um, a little overdue. Over the years Lincoln has returned to the Club many times and always considered us to be family.

Now we have lost a remarkable member of our family, but every time we venture into the outdoors, his memory will inspire us to explore new places and to look to our companions for strength. Think of him when you walk in the Blue Mountains, when you climb at Booroomba or when you ski on the main range.

Lincoln is survived by his wife and two children. The Club is sending our condolences to the family.

My thanks to a variety of internet sources in hastily putting this together: most notably articles by Zac Zaharias and Will Steffen. There are many more qualified to write about Lincoln but I have done my best - any errors are mine.

Duncan McIntyre
ANUMC President, 1996

We're signing up members now! See below on where and when! Make sure you have your SRA membership receipt or your valid student card. Don't forget to pick you your ANUMC Shirt or waterbottle, and student special price of $30 is only on until the BBQ only!!

*THIS WEEK!*
Monday- (20 Feb) GEAR STORE IS NOW OPEN MONDAY LUNCHTIMES!
Gear store -12-12:30
Climbing wall 5:30pm-6:30pm

Tuesday (21 Feb)
Gear store 6-6:30pm

Wednesday (22 Feb) WELCOME BBQ
Copland Courtyard from 5:30pm

Thursday (23 Feb)
Gear store 6-6:30pm

The 2012 membership year starts today (1 February). Existing members - your 2011 membership lasts until the end of the month, so please renew your membership sometime this month to keep it current. New members - you can join anytime from today onwards and your membership will last until 28 February 2013.

For 2012, membership will cost $40 for students, or join for just $30 by signing up at Market Day (15 February) or the Welcome BBQ (22 February). For everyone else, membership will cost $60.

More details on how to join the club are here - http://anumc.anu.edu.au/about_the_club/membership

Don't forget your proof of SRA membership.

As of January 2012, driver reimbursement rates have been increased by 5c/km for each category, and are now 25c/km for a small car, 30c/km for a medium car and 35c/km for a large car.

These rates seek to ensure drivers are properly compensated for fuel as well as wear and tear. Note that the rates are a guidelines only, leaders are free to calculate different amounts by agreement with drivers and trip participants.

Further details on the club's driver reimbursement guidelies are at http://anumc.anu.edu.au/about_the_club/trips/leading/driver_reimbursment

Congratulations to Dave Boland who was awarded the Ice Axe award last night for making an Outstanding Contribution to the club.

Other award winners were:

Trip Leader of the Year- Pau King
Up and coming Trip Leader- Phil Lengel
Beginner of the Year- Mel Millard
Contribution to Skills Development- Jansosch Hoffman
Outstanding Service to the Club- David and Finnian Lattimore

Other informal awards are attached to this news item.

The 2011 President's and Treasurer's reports are now available. Please see the attachments to this news item.

The 2011 ANUMC Annual Awards Night (and AGM) is coming up! Please sign up if you're coming along (for catering purposes) at http://anumc.anu.edu.au/node/2815

The awards night will be held on Thursday 27 October at the Graduate Lounge (University House), from 5.30pm for a 6pm start. There will be free finger food and drinks can be purchased at the bar.

Throughout the evening, we'll present the 2012 Expedition Fund, a range of awards and judge the best photos of the year.

In advance of the awards night, we are seeking:

- applications for the 2012 Expedition Fund (see item below; due Monday 17 Oct)

- nominations for awards including ANUMC Hall of Fame ('The Axe' - for outstanding service to the club), Trip Leader of the Year, Up and Coming Trip Leader of the Year, Beginner of the Year and many silly awards (due Monday 17 Oct)

- entries for the photo competition (due Monday 17 Oct) - categories include Club Personality, Action, Landscape and Flora & Fauna - limit one photo per person per category

- nominations for the 2012 executive - President; Vice President (and trip convenor); Treasurer; Secretary; Social Officer; and General Officers x 2. A description of the duties for each of these positions is at http://anumc.anu.edu.au/about_the_club/club_structure/executive_position... We are particulrly keen to see some student nominations, so don't be shy!

Nominations for any of the above can be sent to alana dot wilkes at gmail dot com