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May 2026 Newsletter

Published on 5/1/2026
Chicago Mountaineering Club

May 2026 Newsletter
CMC Meetings
Chicago Mountaineering Club (CMC) meetings are held on the second Monday of the month, September through May. This month's meeting will be held atFirst Ascent Arlington Hts,701 Rohlwing Rd, Arlington Heights, IL. The board meeting willbe on May 11 at 6:30pm and the general meeting at 8:00pm.

Board meetings are open to CMC members only. But the general meeting is open to the public and visitors are welcome and encouraged.
This is our last public meeting before the Summer recess break and it will be presented by Program Chair Zenon Kolacz.Presentation is from Zenon's recent Dec 2025 Mountaineering trip to Mexico where several peaks have been reached with success. Alsorock climbing and the main goal reached was the highest peak in Mexico, Pico de Orizaba 5636m.
We will have a variety of pizza to share with drinks and snacks at the meeting and presentation.
Zenon 1
Zenon 2
Outings
Rock Climbing Weekends - Devils Lake, WI
The schedule for Devil's Lake outings for 2026 has been approved and is now available on our website calendar. If you are not a member and would like to climb with the CMC, go to the website and sign up for a weekend to join us.
CMC Calendar
The Gunks Trip - Shawangunks in New York
Michael Heifets, Publications Chair, is leading a trip out to The Gunks on June 1 - 5. This is a members only trip and climbers should be proficient in multiple pitch trad lead climbing. Attendees will need approval from Micheal. We will be camping at the Gunks campground. If you would like more information, please email Michael.
Email Micheal Heifets
Western Outing - Rocky Mountain National Park
The RMNP Western Outing will be based at the CMC Cabin in the Wild Basin. Activities may include backpacking, mountain summits, rock climbing and a day at the Via Ferrata in Estes Park. The Outing will be on July 18 - 26. Some people may arrive earlier or later than that week. If interested contact Jim Considine.
Email Jim Considine
Western Outing - Borah Peak / Lost River / Mt Whitney
A second Western Outing to Borah Peak and other peaks in Lost River Range in Idaho is scheduled for July 13 - 17. This will be followed by Mt. Whitney July 20 - 22. Climbing on the 20th and trying to get more slots for 21 and 22. If you are interested in this, please contact Expedition Chair, Jacek Witkos.
Email Jacek Witkos
Other Rock Climbing Outings
We are looking for volunteer leaders to organize outings to the following destinations. If you are willing and interested, please contact Chris Schaecher, CMC Outings Chair.
  • Red River Gorge
  • Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
  • Mississippi Palisades
  • Jackson Falls, Ferncliff, Giant City
Email Chris Schaecher
Membership
New Members
We have two first readings for new applicants:

Name

Hometown

Sponsors
Tim Labansky Stoughton, WI Joel Perkins, Shari Parry

Andrew Way

Villa Park, IL

Grace Ludwig, Jacek Witkos

News
Mountaineering Skills Seminar - Devils Lake, WI
On Saturday May 16 from 9am - 2pm, there will be a Mountaineering Skills Seminar. This is forCMC members and nonmembers interested in participating in CMC mountaineering trips and expeditions. To participate in a technical mountaineering climb or expedition with the CMC, all climbers must demonstrate proficiency in all skills taught during this seminar.The seminar is being led by Jacek Witkos, Michael Neifets, and Nate Pelletier.
For more information on what will be covered and other details please see the website calendar.
Mountaineering Skills Seminar
Colorado 14er "Weekend Trip"
Nate Pelletier is leading a weekend summit trip to La Plata Peak in Colorado on June 12-13. This is forexperienced climbers comfortable with Class 3-5 scrambling at high altitude. For more information see the calendar link below. If this is something that interests you, please contact Nate prior to May 31.
Colorado 14er Trip
Newsletter and Trip Reports
If you have questions or comments about the newsletter, or want to submit content such as trip reports, or upcoming trips you'd like to plan, send it to me and we'll consider putting it here.
Also please note that we are using new software to generate the newsletter. I have tested this on multiple devices but if you have any problems viewing the newsletter or have suggestions for improvement, please let me know.
Email Wayne Martin


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