The American Alpine Club, or AAC, was founded in 1902 by Charles Ernest Fay

Charles Ernest Fay

Professor Charles Ernest Fay was an American Alpinist, born at Roxbury, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1868 at Tufts College and became instructor in mathematics there in 1869, and professor of modern languages in 1871...

, and is the leading national organization in the United States devoted to mountaineering

Mountaineering

Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...

, climbing

Climbing

Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...

, and the multitude of issues facing climbers. With an emphasis on adventure, scientific research and education, the Club is dedicated to:

• the promotion and dissemination of knowledge about the mountains and mountaineering through its meetings, publications and libraries;
• the cultivation of mountain craft, and the promotion of good fellowship among climbers;
• the study of the high mountains of the world, the gathering of facts and the observation of phenomena pertaining to them;
• the production of a series of illustrated publications to present a complete description of the alpine mountains of the world;
• the scientific exploration of high mountain elevations and of the regions lying within or about the Arctic
  Arctic Circle
  The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For Epoch 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs north of the Equator....
  
   and Antarctic circle
  Antarctic Circle
  The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs south of the Equator.-Description:...
  
  s;
• the conservation and preservation of the mountain environment; and
• the representation of the interests and concerns of the American climbing community

The AAC is a not-for-profit organization supported by gifts and grants from individuals, corporations and foundations, income from restricted endowments, membership dues, and the sale of publications. Charles Ernest Fay

Charles Ernest Fay

Professor Charles Ernest Fay was an American Alpinist, born at Roxbury, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1868 at Tufts College and became instructor in mathematics there in 1869, and professor of modern languages in 1871...

 served as the first president (1902-08).

The AAC sponsors the David A. Sowles Memorial Award

David A. Sowles Memorial Award

The David A. Sowles Memorial Award is the American Alpine Club's highest award for valour, bestowed at irregular intervals on mountaineers who have "distinguished themselves, with unselfish devotion at personal risk or sacrifice of a major objective, in going to the assistance of fellow climbers...

 for mountaineers who at personal risk or sacrifice of personal objective go to the aid of a fellow climber in distress.

While the AAC holds annual and regional meetings, the AAC does not guide or lead trips compared to the Alpine Club of Canada

Alpine Club of Canada

The Alpine Club of Canada is a mountain club with a National Office in Canmore, Alberta that has been a focal point for Canadian mountaineering since its founding in 1906. The club was co-founded by Arthur Oliver Wheeler, who served as its first president, and Elizabeth Parker, a journalist for...

 and other clubs such as the California Mountaineering Group, the Sierra Club

Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...

, the Colorado Mountain Club

Colorado Mountain Club

The Colorado Mountain Club , formed in 1912, is a nonprofit, 501 outdoor education organization based in Golden, Colorado that gathers and disseminates information regarding Colorado's mountains in the areas of art, science, literature and recreation...

, the Appalachian Mountain Club

Appalachian Mountain Club

The Appalachian Mountain Club is one of the United States' oldest outdoor groups. Created in 1876 to explore and preserve the White Mountains in New Hampshire, it has expanded throughout the northeastern U.S., with 12 chapters stretching from Maine to Washington, D.C...

, etc. In this respect it is somewhat closer to the US National Ski Patrol

National ski patrol

The National Ski Patrol is the largest winter rescue organization in the world. It was founded in 1938 by Charles Minot Dole, at the urging of Roger Langley...

in advisory function.