Ways to the Sky: A Historical Guide to North American Mountaineering - Softcover

Selters, Andy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0930410831 ISBN 13: 9780930410834

Publisher: American Alpine Club, 2004

Synopsis

2004 Banff Mountain History Award Winner

• 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historical guidebook series, Ways to the Sky combines historical narrative with copious photographs -- some previously unpublished -- and route information for more than 40 historically significant routes to create a unique collector's piece.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.

About this title

About the Author

Andy Selters, a long-time mountaineer, moutain 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.

Review

What makes this book succeed to the non-climber audience are the vintage and spectacular photographs that draw you into the text-wanting more about where a particular rugged mountain is and when and how it was climbed. (Deseret Morning News)

For all you history buffs looking to learn the evolution of alpine climbing in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, this is the book you need...This carefully researched book combines narrative with beautiful photography...Well worth the read-a true lesson in climbing. (Blue Ridge Outdoors)

Andy Selters has done a beautiful job with a big subject...I like Selters' narrative abilities. He tells stories well...Two pitons up for this one. Go out and buy it. (Rockclimbing.com)

The willingness of climbers to test the limits of human effort and the impact of technology on climbing is well described. Many fine black-and-white photographs help illustrate a sport that fascinates many, if only from their armchairs...For anyone interested in mountain climbing, this is a must-read. (Los Angeles Daily News)

Selters possesses a keen ability to convey the sense of adventure that animated each route's history and evolution...Ways to the Sky flows with a smooth cadence that shows an astute eye for detail...Informative route descriptions... provide great inspiration for alpinists of all abilities." (Climbing magazine)

Alaska contains the largest mountains in North America, so it is no surprise that a comprehensive history of the continent's mountaineering has so much to say about our state...It packs into its pages profiles of peaks and the often-eccentric people who climb them, descriptions of exhilarating and harrowing alpine adventures as well as thoughtful discussions of evolving technologies, skills, controversies, and attitudes underlying mountaineering. Remarkable and numerous photos, many never before published, enhance the text...Selters has a knack for bringing climbers and their deeds to life on the page. He honors their exalted and spiritual experiences, yet confronts touchy subjects...If you are a real climber or are seriously thinking about becoming one, this book contains a wealth of background information. Selters deserves special credit for his insightful and thought-provoking comments. This book does justice to the heights, but it also has a real depth. (Kenai Peninsula Clarion)

Author Andy Selters and the American Alpine Club deserve a big round of applause for this new and significant work in the outdoor field. Tackling a subject as broad and diverse as the history of North American mountaineering is no easy task...but Selters was up to the task and carried it off with aplomb. (Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education Newsletter)

Shows there is no shortage of richness to be discovered in North American mountaineering. Writing with a lively and energetic pace well suited to the subject matter, Selters has also managed to fill the book with historical photos...Selters is more than an historian recording daily blog-style expedition reports by those who first tagged the highest and most alluring summits in North America. He also possesses a deep and thorough understanding of climbing's ethics, ideas, beliefs, and styles central to the core and evolution of the pursuit of mountaineering...By including suggested routes...Selters takes history one step further and makes it fun, engaging, and interactive by merging it with the present, actively demonstrating its place in the continuum by urging the reader to get out there and explore the footsteps and handholds. (Rocky Mountain Outlook)

The most comprehensive look at North American Mountaineering. (Sunday (Worcester, MA) Telegram)

Ways to the Sky won the History/Biography Category of the 2004 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA). The annual program honors outstanding writing and publishing in the outdoor field. It is sponsored by the NOBA Foundation and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education. (National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation)

About this edition

• Publisher: American Alpine Club
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0930410831
• ISBN 13: 9780930410834
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352