Berkeley, 1966, 3rd printing, 262 pp, 49 illustrations. By far the finest history of the exploration and early climbs in the Sierra Nevada. This is getting hard to find. Large hardcover, Chipped DJ, Fine. From the moment it was sighted by Spanish explorers in the eighteenth century, the “great snowy range” of California has provided both challenge and fulfillment to generations of trappers, emigrants, engineers, sportsmen, and tourists. And here, for the first time, is presented a synthesis of all their experiences as they relate to the Sierra Nevada. The growth of geographical knowledge is traced from Spanish times, through the explorations of American trappers and the struggles of overland emigrants, to the government surveys and the more intensive exploring and mountaineering of recent times. Jedediah Smith makes the first crossing of the Sierra. Other routes are scouted and the first wagon road is built. The transcontinental railroad is constructed. For the first time white men see the wonders of Yosemite and the Big Trees. The author gives the pageant a new treatment by recourses to original sources such as contemporary diaries and newspapers. A mountain climber himself, he examines and analyzes the classic writings of Clarence King and John Muir in relation to the scenes of their exploits. He tells the story of Mount Whitney, highest mountain in the United States outside of Alaska, with a fullness that includes accounts of its earliest ascents, its first ascent by a woman, its use as a station for scientific observations, and the conquest of the precipitous East Face by modern mountaineering techniques. He considers the Sierra’s economic and recreational utilization-livestock grazing, lumbering, water resources, camping, mountaineering, and skiing. Mining is treated only occasionally, for the author is dealing with the upper regions of the range and, as he expresses it, tries to avoid sliding down into the foothills. In addition to his consecutive account of what has take taken place in the Sierra since its discovery, Mr. Farquhar thoroughly reexamines the events and the characters of those who participated in them; he corrects numerous errors and reappraises such figures as John C. Fremont, Josiah Dwight Whitney, and Clarence King. John Muir is shown to the true champion of the Sierra, a leader unexcelled in the interpretation of its features and the conservation of its values. The book is illustrated by drawings, original photographs, and maps specially drawn to assist the reader. The end of each chapter has amplifying notes and references for those interested in further pursuit of the subject Francis Farquhar (December 31, 1887 to Novermber 1974) was an active Sierra Club Member and served as President during 1933 - 1935 and 1948 -1949. He also served as the Sierra Club Bulletin editor during 1926 - 1946. Farquhar was a mountaineer who introduced the proper use of roped climbing to Sierra Club members during a club trip in 1931. He made multiple first ascents including the Middle Palisades during 1921, the last unclimbed 14,000' peak in the US. The Sierra Club annually awards the Francis P. Farquhar Mountaineering Award for a lifetime of mountaineering acheivement. The award honors an individual's contribution to mountaineering and enhancement of the Sierra Club's prestige in this field. Farquhar ranks with John Muir and William Colby in his influence upon the Sierra Club and the conservation movement.
Francis Farquhar (December 31, 1887 to Novermber 1974) was an active Sierra Club Member and served as President during 1933 - 1935 and 1948 -1949. He also served as the Sierra Club Bulletin editor during 1926 - 1946. Farquhar was a mountaineer who introduced the proper use of roped climbing to Sierra Club members during a club trip in 1931. He made multiple first ascents including the Middle Palisades during 1921, the last unclimbed 14,000' peak in the US. The Sierra Club annually awards the Francis P. Farquhar Mountaineering Award for a lifetime of mountaineering acheivement. The award honors an individual's contribution to mountaineering and enhancement of the Sierra Club's prestige in this field. Farquhar ranks with John Muir and William Colby in his influence upon the Sierra Club and the conservation movement.
