American Rock: Region, Rock, and Culture in American Climbing: Region, Rock, and Culture in American Climbing (Revised) - Softcover

Mellor, Don

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881505471 ISBN 13: 9780881505474

Publisher: Countryman Press, 2003

Synopsis

American Rock is a celebration of the diversity of American rock climbing and an authoritative history of how the sport evolved at dozens of climbing hotspots around the country. The United States offers rock climbers a greater variety of geologic environments than any other country in the world. In recent years the sport has exploded and American climbers, once isolated from each other, now cross the country in search of new rock, sharing techniques, equipment, and information. In this thoughtful history and overview, veteran climber Mellor celebrates a dazzling mosaic of American geologic regions and the distinct climbing styles they have engendered. The rock, regions, and styles he explores include: Adirondack and White Mountain granite; Shawangunk conglomerate; the fragile red sandstone in the desert Southwest; western big-wall climbing on stark white walls of Sierra granite; steep walls and overhanging sandstone in the Southeast; and high-altitude mountaineering in the Rockies, Tetons, and Cascades. Mellor also chronicles the rich history and vibrant personalities of the climbing scene, and explores the meaning behind ongoing debates over access, techniques, and equipment. 42 black & white photographs, index.

About this title

Synopsis:

The United States offers rock climbers a greater variety of geologic environments than any other country in the world. Drawn to this smorgasbord, climbers cross the country in search of new rock, sharing techniques, equipment, and information. And in recent years millions of new converts have been drawn to the sport as climbing gyms and schools continue to open across the country. Veteran climber and guide Don Mellor suggests in "American Rock" that this newfound popularity may soon cause American rock climbing, once the obscure pursuit of an eccentric few, to become bland and homogenized. In this history and overview, he celebrates a dazzling mosaic of geologic regions and the distinct climbing styles they have engendered, and urges climbers to get out of the gym and take to the road to experience the rich variety of American rock for themselves. In opening up the history of American climbing, Mellor chronicles the rich history and vibrant personalities of the climbing scene, and explores the meanings behind ongoing debates in the climbing community over access, techniques, and equipment.

Throughout, he pleads for conservation and respect, to protect these fragile resources for generations of climbers to come.

About this edition

• Publisher: Countryman Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0881505471
• ISBN 13: 9780881505474
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304