Even for West Point, the winter of 2025–26 was especially cold and snowy, but it set the stage for an exceptional season for the Mountaineering Team. The team ventured out on an ice climbing trip in the Catskill Mountains which included a multi-pitch ice route at Buttermilk Falls. MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE IN ACTION Mountaineering Team
Save the Date: West Point Challenge May 3 – May 7, 2026
The West Point Challenge is back! Private support fuels Margin of Excellence programs like internships, global opportunities, athletic teams, extracurriculars, and the world-class facilities and academics that shape tomorrow’s leaders and elevate the cadet experience beyond the ordinary. Whether you’re a member of the Long Gray Line or a proud supporter, this is your moment to stand with the Corps. Give $5 or more and make your mark. Early giving is OPEN. Extend your impact by becoming a WPC Ambassador to help spread the word.
“Mountaineering has given me countless reps at maintaining a level head in stressful situations and has taught me the importance of practice, attention to detail, and communication in a high-stakes environment that other clubs cannot replicate,” said CDT Walker Blackmon ’26. “At the end of the day, the only thing keeping you from the ground is your teammate, and
there is a level of trust involved that replicates the seriousness and gravity of the Army. I appreciate the opportunity to learn skills that in other places I would have to pay thousands of dollars to learn,” Blackmon said. “We have amazing coaches with a wealth of experience. We are getting a professional-level education for free and it's truly amazing.” ///
SPRING2026 | WESTPOINTAOG.ORG
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