The AAC will host a delegation of ACI members at the Grand Teton Climbers' Ranch from June 24 to July 4, 2010. The Alpine Club of Iran plans to reciprocate in late September, 2010, by hosting a delegation of ten members of the AAC in Iran. While the focus of the exchanges will be climbing, the delegations will also engage in discussion of alpine conservation issues and programs.

The Iranian delegation will be made up of ACI members who represent a broad spectrum of age, gender, climbing interests and skills. The AAC intends to match the Iranian participants with compatible AAC host climbers. AAC host climbers should be familiar with the Teton Range and will only be responsible for their travel expenses to the Climbers' Ranch; the Club will cover any incidentals during the week. Any AAC member interested in volunteering to partner with our Iranian guests should email dthoenen@nc.rr.com for more information.

The AAC is also accepting applications from its members for the AAC to Iran portion of the exchange. Iran offers a rich variety of climbing opportunities, including alpine mountaineering, high quality cragging, and big wall climbing. Iran is also a fascinating country to visit: rich in history, varied in cultures, and world class in hospitality. AAC delegates will be responsible for the airfare from their home to Tehran. The ACI will cover AAC participants' lodging, food, and transportation expenses in Iran.

The AAC delegation will travel as a group from the US to Tehran in late September, 2010. Final details of dates and itinerary will be announced soon. It is expected that the duration of the stay in Iran will be fifteen days. The proposed itinerary includes tours of Tehran, acclimatization hiking in the Damavand region, an ascent of Mt. Damavand (5671 meters) and extensive rock climbing in venues close to Esfahan and Shiraz. It is expected that there will be opportunities to score first ascents at these venues.

A balanced AAC delegation will be selected that represents the overall demographics of the AAC membership. Any AAC member interested in joining the delegation to Iran should consider applying, regardless of age, gender or level of climbing ability. Criteria for selection will include an assessment of the applicant's ability to effectively serve as a “people-to-people” ambassador in a politically and culturally sensitive environment. Candidates will be expected to agree to a code of conduct designed to ensure that the AAC delegation will fully enjoy the generous hospitality of the Iranian people. Candidates should request an Iran Climber Exchange Application from dthoenen@nc.rr.com.

The Alpine Club of Iran is a non-governmental organization founded in 2000. It has approximately 1600 members with an equal representation of females and males. The ACI is affliated with many local and regional climbing clubs in cities across Iran.

For more information contact David Thoenen, AAC /ACI Exchange Project Lead, at dthoenen@nc.rr.com, or 919-280-8258.