American Rock: Region, Rock, and Culture in American Climbing - Hardcover

Mellor, Don

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0881504289 ISBN 13: 9780881504286

Publisher: Countryman Press, 2001

Synopsis

Explores the different types of rock found at a dozen major climbing destinations across the United States, and discusses how these physical environments have affected the history, style, ethics, and culture of the sport.

The elite sport of rock climbing continues to evolve at lightning speed as techniques and technology improve, opening up hundreds of new routes each year. In this thoughtful overview, Don Mellor reveals how the sport has developed in a dozen climbing hotspots across the country in direct response to the characteristics of local rock and the eccentricities of regional culture: Shawangunk conglomerate provides hundreds of climbs marked by positive handholds and a busy climbing scene built upon rich and raucous traditions The fragile red sandstone towers of the Southwest desert remind climbers of a changing earth and challenge them to tread gently Climbers spend days on slings and port-a-ledges while ascending stark white walls of Sierra granite, immersing themselves in a lonely encounter with the mountain wilderness And in the Rockies, Tetons, and Cascades, technical rock climbing merges with cold weather alpinism in perhaps the ultimate expression of mountaineering Mellor also explores the meanings behind ongoing debates in the climbing community over techniques and equipment. Climbers of all levels will appreciate his knowledgeable history of the sport, as well as his insider's tips on where to go, what to take, and how to climb the local rock. 35 black and white photographs, 1 map, index. A history and cultural guide to a red-hot sport Mellor's traditional viewpoint is sure to spark discussion in the climbing community Will appeal to both serious rock climbers and armchair athletes.

About this title

About the Author

Don Mellor, a professional climbing guide and in-structor for more than 20 years, is also the author of Trailside Guide: Rock Climbing and Climbing in the Adirondacks. He has climbed many of America's famous routes, including El Capitan, Half Dome, and the Diamond at Long's Peak, and has established more than 100 first ascents in the Adirondacks. He is Director of Guiding at Rock and River Guide Service in Lake Placid, New York, and is the climbing expert on GORP.com.

From Library Journal

Building on his rock-climbing guide experience and earlier books (Climbing in the Adirondacks and Rock Climbing: A Trailside Guide), Mellor has written a thorough overview of American rock climbing destinations. His belief that "a route is more than just a route it's an encounter with the physical world, and it's an association with climbers of past generations" resonates in every chapter. Dividing his text geographically (e.g., New England, Dixie, California, Colorado), Mellor introduces the natural history and rock, the original climbers and the historic routes they put up, the local climbing scene, and the regional eccentricities for each area. In the last chapter, he highlights the impact overuse can bring to climbing areas, which are often on public lands. He challenges climbers to "cherish the resource" (vertical rock) as access and regulations on use become more common. American Rock is unique for what it is not: a guidebook or a climbing memoir. This work will interest both new and experienced climbers who want to learn about America's climbing areas from a single volume. Recommended for public libraries where there is interest. Margaret Atwater-Singer, Univ. of Evansville, IN
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Countryman Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0881504289
• ISBN 13: 9780881504286
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256