California, 1979, 2nd edition. 392 pp. Illustrated with b/w plates. Hardcover with dust jacket. Near Fine condition.
Thoroughly researched; author is a pioneering climber who has put up routes on three continents. Each chapter includes a detailed reference section for further reading. Chapters include: Conrad Kain and Albert MacCarthy; Mount Alberta; Robert Underhill and Jack Durrance; The Sierrans; Mount Waddington; Mount McKinley; El Capitan; and The Granite Crucible (on Yosemite).
Climbing in North America is the definitive history of mountaineering in the United States and Canada from the earliest days of the sport to the 1970's.
From the pioneering climbs of the nineteenth-century to the big walls of Yosemite, this classic celebrates the climbers and their routes, peaks and adventures, bringing them to life through anecdotes and historic black and white photos. It's a must for every mountaineers' library.
Title page of Jones Climbing in North America signed by 19 great American climbers.
John Sherman, Climbing magazine:
Climbing in North America embodies that literary ideal - the sense of history come alive. Each historical climbing vignette in the book is lively, action packed, and rich in detail. Chris Jones is the rare author - in any genre - who manages to tell a great story without getting in the way of it.