Seattle, 1994, 1st edition. 256 pp, b/w photos. The best modern history of Yosemite's golden age, in the 1950-70s. Hardcover with dust jacket. Fine.
Includes stories of such greats as Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Allen Steck, and Warren Harding. Captures the raucous, outrageous, innovative spirit of this period. Portrays the advances in equipment and style that revolutionized big-wall climbing. In the 1960s, California's Yosemite Valley was the center of the rock-climbing universe. Young non-conformists, many of them the finest rock climbers in the world-channeled their energy toward the largely untouched walls and cracks. Soon climbers from around the globe were coming to Camp 4, a gathering spot for the creators of the Golden Age of Yosemite climbing-to see what all the fuss was about.
Climber and author Steve Roper spent most of 10 years living in the Yosemite Valley with its intriguing inhabitants. Camp 4 is his take on the era's top climbers and the influences behind their achievements. The text is full of stories both hilarious and revealing about the likes of bolt-disdaining Royal Robbins; fun-loving, big-wall expert Warren Harding; free-climber Frank Sacherer; multi-talented Chuck Pratt; master craftsman Yvon Chouinard; and ill-fated Mark Powell. Roper also tips his hat to the elder statesmen of the 1930s and 1940s who pioneered early, important climbs in the valley. Camp 4 looks at the most significant climbs, and the most riveting controversies of a legendary era. With more than 50 fascinating historical photographs, most never before published, Camp 4 is the definitive chronicle of the period.
