Yosemite [Hardcover]

Alexander Huber (Author), Heinz Zak (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2003

Yosemite Valley is Mecca of the climbing sports. Such legends of climbing as John Salathé, Royal Robbins, and Warren Harding have immortalized their names in the granite of the valley. The giant walls of El Capitan and Half Dome haven't lost their magic attraction to this day. Climbers from all over the world pilgrimage to Yosemite year-round to do a Big Wall, to attempt Midnight Lightning, the most famous boulder in the world, and to experience the flair of the past in legendary Camp 4. From the surveys of geologists in the 1860's to the "free speed" climbs of today, over 100 years of climbing history accompany a range of superb color landscape photos that echo the great traditions of the Ansel Adams and the Sierra Club large format books of the 1970s. Essays by well-known climbers Warren Harding, Royal Robbins, Jim Bridwell, Mark Chapman, Jerry Moffatt, John Long, Peter Croft, Lynn Hill, Thomas Huber, Dean Potter, and Leo Houlding illustrate the evolution in climbing equipment and varied techniques needed to ascend the rock peaks and amazing walls.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a wonderful history, graced by amazing photographs...published with grace and style...a must for any climbing library. -- Western American Literature, Spring 2005

...engaging and impeccably researched book...Its comprehensive scope...will earn this book a place among its classic predecessors. -- (The American Alpine Journal, 2004)

...every possible facet of Yosemite...spectacular...engaging and impeccably researched...like its namesake, you'll find something new each visit. -- The American Alpine Journal, 2004

...this large format, coffee-table text revealed a comprehensive history and a striking visual tour of Yosemite rock-climbing... -- Climing, July 2004

...will inspire any climber. -- Candace Horgan, The American Alpine News, Autumn 2003

Zak's stunning photographs...are sure to induce vertigo or a desire to quit your job and find a tent spot. -- Hooked on the Outdoors, 2004

From the Back Cover

Yosemite Valley is the leading center for world rock climbing. Famous figures in the sport like John Salathe, Royal Robbins and Warren Harding have immortalized their names in the granite of the valley. The giant walls of El Capitan and Half Dome retain a powerful appeal and climbers from around the world visit to pay homage to one of their many big wall climbs. There are scores of easier classic climbs to be done too, or one can tackle one of the great free routes like Astroman, Nabisco Wall or Separate Reality. Others will visit the domes of Tuolumne, make expeditions to the peaks of the High Sierra or even spend a sojourn tackling the boulders, perhaps attempting Midnight Lightning, the most famous boulder problem in the world.
Alexander Huber, who is deeply involved in today's dynamic Yosemite scene, has drawn from the key histories and other books and magazine accounts to produce a commentary on over 100 years of climbing history from the earlier pioneering epics to today's super athletic big wall feats. His fast-moving account is illustrated by Heinz Zak's outstanding photographs and given luster by key accounts of major climbs from Warren Harding, Royal Robbins, Jim Bridwell, Mark Chapman, Jerry Moffatt, John Long, Peter Croft, Lynn Hill, Thomas Huber, Dean Potter and Leo Houlding.
Yosemite is one of the most exciting rock climbing books every published. Its gripping accounts are embellished by outstanding photographs that emphasize the splendor of the Valley's rock, mountain and waterfall scenery which has made it world-renowned among climbers, trekkers and tourists alike.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press; 1st edition (November 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897325575
• ISBN-13: 978-0897325578
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #688,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, August 23, 2004

By 

R. Helms - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yosemite (Hardcover)

Through the lens of Hans Zak, through the finesse and strength of Alex Huber, through the eyes of legendary climbers such as John Long and Lynn Hill, this absolutely stunning book of photography and historical narrative is a must have for anyone interested in Yosemite's awe-inspiring walls and the adventurers who climb them.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Photos-Great History, March 16, 2004

By 

Mark R. Patterson "Dr. Mark, PhD" (Ventura, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yosemite (Hardcover)

Alex Huber and Heinz Zak have produced an astonishingly beautiful history of Yosemite Climbing. This is a wonderful advance on George Meyers classic book, Yosemite Climber. Meyers put Yosemite Valley climbing before the world and drew the world's climbers to its walls. Huber and Zak, writing from a generation later reveal the advances that have occured from the combined attetion of internationals and locals alike. Clearly, there is no place in the climbing world like Yosemite Valley and this book clearly shows how and why this is so. Well written, clear, with no translation problems, the text provides a wonderful history of valley climbing. Contributions by other important climbers across Yosemite's history insure the narrative is balanced, accurate, and interesting. The photographs are unprecedented and inspiring. A delightful book that I have picked up time and again and recomend without reservation.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World Class Climbers, World Class Photographer, September 17, 2004

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yosemite (Hardcover)

Yosemite is probably the most visited of the major national parks. The park has two parts, the valley floor and the fifty or so mile road through the high country.

Most people (I've read 95%) never leave the valley. The valley is indeed beautiful - wild animals, water falls, and more. But the high country is really special. <BR><BR>Half dome for instance is a giant smooth rounded pebble that from one side looks like something that you'd find in a creek bed, except that it's giant size. But then it's cut in two, with the cut away half simply gone. The result is one of the most spectacular mountains in the world.

Here in this book, is Yosemite. It's pictured from a rock climbers standpoint. And from that standpoint it shows places that I don't want to even think about going. But the views you get. You simply can't imagine. The photographer is a world class climber in his own right. Then he combines this with a camera that he obviously knows how to use.

There are a lot of things here (nearly every picture in fact) that I'm not going to see in real life. I'm glad that this book exists.