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noshoesnoshirt
climber
dangling off a wind turbine in a town near you
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Beautiful publication, worth the coin
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Hmm, I wonder if I get the discount retroactively, having tipped off Jon about SuperTopo and this thread when I ordered the book? Maybe I'll have to order another copy.
Seems like a nice fellow and good organization - he responded very quickly to messages about shipping and such. Well worth supporting a specialty press.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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I'm in
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 8, 2009 - 04:42pm PT
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Another similar book, much more modern---actually current---is L.A. Climbs. The author does routes and famous architecture in Los Angeles and has a commentary binding the architecture and the climbing together. I have to get it and read it. Here is the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Climbs-Alternative-Uses-Architecture/dp/190103349X
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deuce4
climber
Hobart, Australia
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May 22, 2009 - 06:34pm PT
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This is by far my most favorite Supertopo post. I really enjoy seeing it each time it makes its periodic appearance on the front page.
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hooblie
climber
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May 22, 2009 - 08:29pm PT
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ok, i've seen this thread early in my st experience but now i realize it's more on topic than most, and some folks seem to be from santa cruz, so here's to memorialize a 1970 ascent of the library at ucsc by an early partner of mine, dave huntley, one of the original marmot mtn. boys. it involved some drilling and when he served some form of pennance i was less than sympathetic. i had an unqualified reverance for every ediface on campus and felt like the quarry was bootleg enough. does that make me a bad person?
also i arrived on the doorstep of my parents home in los altos with a van load of yosemite climbers that needed to get to the airport after a mass bivy. ed drummond was on board. i was dimly aware that his route naming on the sea cliffs in (wales?) met with my approval, but his inventory of buildering accomplishments seemed dubious. he assured me that the need for steeplejacks was a legitimate trade.since then i have always considered that someone gets to place that last lightning rod on the top of some tower or other. so thankyou to him for openning my eyes to the tippy top summit when i survey an architectural masterpiece.
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DrDeeg
Mountain climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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May 22, 2009 - 09:07pm PT
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Peter,
Thanks for the post. In the 1960s I read and loved the book. A couple of years ago I searched on the web for a first edition and all the prices were in the $300-1000 range.
Imagine some of the difficulties. They could only climb the buildings at night, and in the 1930s flash photography was done with a view camera and flash powder. After getting their picture, they feared the flash would attract attention. They had to hastily disassemble their "impedimenta" as they called their equipment and flee rapidly.
J
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Eric Beck
Sport climber
Bishop, California
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May 22, 2009 - 09:31pm PT
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I actually have a copy, given to me quite a while ago by my late uncle, a physicist at Los Alamos. He introduced me to climbing when i was 10, taking me up Lake Peak above Santa Fe and Mt Sneffels in the San Juans in Colorado.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 22, 2009 - 09:43pm PT
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You are welcome Deeg! Thanks also Eric for your recollection. I had no idea how you had started climbing! Wow Deucie! Thanks for that comment. Hooblie, that is fascinating, and one of them was Ed Ward.....
Frankly I am surprised that this thread not only keeps going but has attracted as many posts as it has. A good thing, for sure.
best to you characters, p
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hooblie
climber
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May 22, 2009 - 10:05pm PT
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how to put this delicately. oh well, if he (drummond) is still around, and any body cares, i'm pretty sure he was compiling a guide or at least a list of buildering ascents in berkley/s.f. he was not just passing thru the valley, i got the idea he was playing out a visa, semi resident.
i'm going to say he had a card or something, at least presented himself as a steeplejack for hire. i learned the word from him. you history buffs might fuzz him up for the scoop. if he has passed, and this is common knowledge, then shame on me. this is getting awkward
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
Mare Infinitum
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Nov 23, 2009 - 08:16pm PT
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I wonder how I missed This thread for so long?
I've heard of the book, have never seen it, though. Awesome find, that.
Ya know...I read a sci fi book that used the premise.....think it was in Cambridge, too.
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dirt claud
Sport climber
san diego,ca
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Oct 12, 2010 - 12:30pm PT
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great find,thanks
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Tricouni
Mountain climber
Vancouver
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Oct 12, 2010 - 01:08pm PT
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There was another book on Cambridge nightclimbing, appropriately called "Cambridge Nightclimbing" by "Hederatus." Published in hardcover in 1970, and scarce.
It's very much in the manner of Whipplesnaith, and deals with the classic climbs and some new routes. It begins, in typical British style:
"Cambridge has a lot to offer the student. The academic demands are neither stringent nor time consuming. One is not compelled to go to lectures or forced to produce essays, though such activities are actively encouraged. Consequ3ntly most students have time on their hands. The river is attractive and relaxing, the backs are inviting, punting is a novelty, parties abound, coffee is liberal: what a way to spend one's days."
Worth keeping an eye out for at garage sales & used book stores ...
Glenn
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Rockin' Gal
Trad climber
Boulder
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I am not a collector, but I managed to get a copy of NCOC around 15 years ago. I'm taking it on my climbing trip this weekend to Vedauwoo. Classic!
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SuperTopo on the Web
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Let us know!