Great New Book!

[MervGriffin]

American Alpine Club Press has recently produced another excellent book:

 

"WAYS TO THE SKY: A Historical Guide to North American Mountaineering" by Andy Selters.

 

Loads of fascinating information and wonderful photos and route descriptions.

 

I saw a copy last week at the U.W. Bookstore and it was gone an hour later when I returned to buy it. The folks at the big downtown REI hadn't seen it although I found a copy of it at Border's.

It's my opinion that no matter what you study, or what your hobbies are, you should take an interest in, and be well-informed of, the history of your pursuits. It's a good way to see how things developed, for better or worse, and develop an appreciation for some of your predecessors.

 

Here's a description of the book from the Mountaineers Books web-site:

 

"The first book in more than 25 years to update North American climbing history

 

365 photos (28 with route overlays), 47 featured routes, 12 maps and 8 illustrations

 

Information about climbing routes that played significant roles in the development of mountaineering in the US, Canada and Mexico

 

Forewords by world-renowned alpinists Barry Blanchard and Peter Croft

 

Ways to the Sky charts the evolution of alpine climbing in the United States, Canada and Mexico from unrecorded ascents by native people centuries ago to the cutting-edge climbs of today. Rejecting a purely chronological timeline, this meticulously researched book shows the evolution of climbing style from early ascents by the easiest routes, through heavily supported expeditionary climbs, to the light, fast alpine-style climbs of major peaks occurring now.

 

As with its predecessors in the historical guidebook series, Ways to the Sky combines historical narrative with copious photographs-some previously unpublished-and route information for more than 40 historically significant routes to create a unique collector's piece. Ways to the Sky brings the rich history of North American mountain ascents to life, highlights key personalities and climbs, then points readers to the mountains where they can experience firsthand many of these historically significant routes.

 

Andy Selters, a long-time mountaineer, mountain guide, photographer and cartographer, has climbed extensively in North and South America and has established new routes in Pakistan and Nepal. He is the author of The Mount Shasta Book and Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue."

[Dru]

That's cool

[cj001f]

Excellent Book - but one gripe. The map on page xvi misplaces Portland, OR by 60 miles!