Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
|
|
|
Sep 14, 2011 - 01:58am PT
|
Crusher, I've been wondering if you're ignoring the front range here--
I bet you'd get a sell out at Neptune's, Bent Gate or some other venue
here--PLEASE give us a show!!!!!
|
|
philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
|
|
|
Sep 14, 2011 - 11:26am PT
|
What a remarkably well done book Crusher. Not just a book but a compendium of historical, anecdotal and invaluable information. This is a Tome of major significance in the climbing world.
|
|
crunch
Social climber
CO
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 15, 2011 - 05:17pm PT
|
Hey SteveW, I’m going to put together a few slideshows for the fall, around the Front Range. I’ve been taking a break since last winter. Thanks for the interest and the reminder! The shows are a lot of fun.
|
|
dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
|
|
|
Sep 15, 2011 - 05:22pm PT
|
Hope you make it out to So Cal too. Would love to catch one of those slide shows.
|
|
SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
|
|
|
Sep 15, 2011 - 06:12pm PT
|
Crusher--whoo hoo!!!!! I'll be there, and want one of your books!!!!
|
|
crunch
Social climber
CO
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 16, 2011 - 03:18pm PT
|
if it doesn't take the 2011 prize there is something seriously askew in the fabric of the universe.
Thanks for all the kind comments, Philo, Ghost, Peter Haan, all.
As for which book deserves the Boardman-Tasker Award? It really depends on what the judges are looking for. They are looking for mountain-oriented literature. The Matterhorn book sounds really cool, as does Tim Hannigan’s effort. And Joe Simpson has a novel? His writing is utterly un-put-downable, and delves deep. Daunting, being on such a shortlist. I'd like to find time to read them all.
Humbling to have my book regarded as being in the same class. It became a several-year project that drove me halfway insane. I owe a huge debt to the patient interviewees and to those whose slide collections I spent hours rummaging around in. So many people, people who had never met me before, had no idea who I was, put a lot of trust in me.
I felt obliged to make the end product worthy of the all the help and generous contributions. And to make the end-product worthy of the sheer alien beauty and wildness of the vast desert itself.
Anyone here on Supertopo wants a copy, send an email to my crunch handle. It's also, conveniently, on Amazon, but I'll sign copies for supertopians.
Crusher
|
|
The Larry
climber
Moab, UT
|
|
|
Oct 18, 2011 - 04:04pm PT
|
I went into Pagan Mountaineering to buy a coffee maker and walked out with fifty dollar book. Do not look through this book unless you are prepared to buy it. I hope to run into you sometime Crusher so you can sign it for me.
Cheers!
|
|
PaulC
Social climber
Traffic Jam Ledge
|
|
|
Dec 12, 2011 - 11:55am PT
|
An amazing book.
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
|
Dec 12, 2011 - 12:00pm PT
|
It really is a beautiful book with lots of great information. I still can't believe it's as inexpensive as it is. Great holiday gift.
|
|
crunch
Social climber
CO
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 12, 2011 - 01:55pm PT
|
if it doesn't take the 2011 prize there is something seriously askew in the fabric of the universe
Well ghost, the sky is officially falling!
When push came to shove, the Boardman-Tasker judges decided that Bernadette's McDonald's Freedom Climbers was the most important book in years. Tells the story of the rise of the Polish mountaineers, out of the grinding poverty and hardship of post WWII communist Poland. Compared to what they had at home, ascending Himalayan giants in winter was comfortable. It was also a way for them to escape, to find the freedom they were denied at home. I had no idea about this, but it's, apparently, a great story, told really well.
Had a great trip to Kendal. The people at the event (except those pesky judges....just kidding...) were very positive, supportive, really loved my book. A fun time.
Desert Towers did win in Canada, at the Banff Mountain Festival, where it won the Best Mountaineering History Award for 2011:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/competitions/book/2011/#panel-6
Polyphony is now my favorite word.
Maybe out of the prize money I'll buy a digital projector, stop lugging my old slides and my Kodak Ektographic dinosaur around, do some racy slide shows in the late winter/early spring.
Or, maybe I'l fill up the truck with gas and head to the desert....
|
|
Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
|
|
|
Dec 12, 2011 - 02:59pm PT
|
Maybe out of the prize money I'll buy a digital projector,
Prize money? The B-T people are now offering money? Sh#t, They didn't do that BITD. All I got for coming second was a couple of handshakes and my picture taken with Vic Saunders. Maybe I'll have to write another climbing book. Or was it the Banff people who showered you with loot?
I haven't read Bernadette's book, so maybe it is possible that it is more deserving than yours. But I'd be surprised. As I said in my review in the AAJ I thought Desert Towers was one of those rare books that combines the best of everything. Excellent writing, valuable history, great photography...
Cheers
D
|
|
PaulC
Social climber
Traffic Jam Ledge
|
|
|
Dec 12, 2011 - 04:34pm PT
|
Did anyone pick up on the significant marking on the cam on page 209? Minor detail but way cool...
|
|
SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
|
|
|
Dec 12, 2011 - 06:23pm PT
|
Before you head back to the desert, Crusher, give us a show
in Denver/Boulder!!!!!
(luv the book)!!!!!
And huge congrats on the award--well deserved!!!!
|
|
crunch
Social climber
CO
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 12, 2011 - 11:23pm PT
|
Ghost,
The B-T award comes with a burly check for 3,000 UK pounds. The Grand Prize at Banff is $2,000. The History Award at Banff (that Desert Towers won) is $750.
And PaulC--good eye!
|
|
Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2012 - 01:15pm PT
|
Tandem rappel bump...
|
|
crunch
Social climber
CO
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2012 - 05:37pm PT
|
Hey Lolli,
Crusher here, sorry to see the sad face :-(
It is REALLY expensive to ship across the Atlantic. Almost as much as the book costs. Definitely a big, very sad face :-(
In UK, Cordee distribute copies with free shipping:
http://www.cordee.co.uk/CND031.php
I don't know what they would charge to ship outside of UK.
Where are you located?
The international shipping is stupidly expensive. I'd like to help out, so if you would really like a copy but the shipping cost is a deal-breaker, send me an email here, and we can probably work something out.
The US Post Office's flat rate shipping via International Priority Mail means it costs the same to ship two copies, so if you know anyone else who would want a copy, that really changes the equation.
|
|
Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
Bump for the Berkeley show on Monday.
Come and buy a copy and support Crusher's historical work.
Delightful book!
|
|
PaulC
Social climber
Traffic Jam Ledge
|
|
Awesome book. Skip shopping for junk. Buy this classic for a friend or yourself.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!