LA CLIMBS: ALTERNATIVE USES FOR ARCHITECTURE

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Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 16, 2009 - 02:27pm PT

So I just recently got “LA Climbs: Alternative Uses for Architecture” and have to share a bit about this book. Once again, we have been scooped by the Brits. Here is a hilarious 175 page beautiful book concerning buildering routes in Southern California. It is by the British Alex Hartley who is both an excellent very fit builderer and knowledgeable artist. He is also a fan of architecture especially when it is objectified down to mere surfaces, shapes and climbability. Like skateboarders and Parkourists have. Really quite dry-witted, incredibly well designed volume published in London. It is elegant actually, loaded with photos and schematics. And currently quite inexpensive ($6), check out the amazon link below. It lists for $29.95 normally. I have to think that it has not sold extremely well being kind of an obscure subject so it is discounted usually. Copyright 2003.

There are hundreds of well-described routes on all types of structures. Included summits are Museum of Contemporary Art, Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Sign structure, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, LAX, the Getty, a dinosaur park, and many private houses of architectural note, even Frank Lloyd Wright’s own home. There are even 5.13 routes. Utterly unique volume and both funny as hell and totally serious.

Get it while it is available. I can’t imagine it is going to be commonly available for very many more years. Parts of it are awfully funny too. Prime superb Brit humor.

http://www.amazon.com/Climbs-Alternative-Uses-Architecture/dp/190103349X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239905326&sr=1-1
Doug Robinson

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Apr 16, 2009 - 02:47pm PT
Thanks, Peter.

I'd been curious, hearing about this book -- just the phrasing of its title suggests quality -- and now I'll buy it for sure.

Incidentally, references to Amazon provoke an involuntary reaction in me not unlike McDonalds. I recommend Alibris.com which is a coalition of used and antiquarian booksellers -- the little guys and independent bookstores banded together on the web to keep the Mom & Pop shops alive. They have the same book at the same price:

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?binding=&mtype=&keyword=LA+Climbs%3A+Alternative+uses+for+architecture&hs.x=0&hs.y=0&hs=Submit
cintune

climber
the Moon and Antarctica
Apr 16, 2009 - 02:51pm PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlHDuZOjW7o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFMDRVpdlcM
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Apr 16, 2009 - 02:51pm PT
Thanks for the info! Too hard to resist so I picked up a copy through DR's link...


Cheers!
cintune

climber
the Moon and Antarctica
Apr 16, 2009 - 03:10pm PT
Detailed topos. That'll keep the signmakers busy.


Ihateplastic

Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Apr 16, 2009 - 03:19pm PT
Got mine on half.com for $3.99
Roger Breedlove

climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Apr 16, 2009 - 03:20pm PT
I clicked on the Amazon link, hoping for an inside look. No deal. However the pricing between the used and new sellers is interesting. Several sellers are offering it new for $5.95 with the top out at $38 or so. The used sellers include one at $5.90--$.05 savings!!--then jumps to $9. Top out at $42.

Maybe that means that once you own the book you value it more highly.

Nice looking cover and good title.

As for the sign from the Simthsonian playing on or in the plants and amimals is okay as long as you are repectful.
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 16, 2009 - 04:20pm PT
Here is an example of how this character Alex Hartley treats his subject. This is Arco Plaza parking structure; it has three routes up to 5.11a. He cautions: "Watch for loose pigeon-shit build up on the ledges" and goes on to describe, "Lazy pseudo-modernist detailing offers good foot holds with an easy walk off through the garage".

Roger Breedlove

climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Apr 16, 2009 - 04:29pm PT
That's great. Thanks Peter.
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Apr 20, 2009 - 05:48pm PT
Got this in the mail today.

Fun and interesting book!
deuce4

climber
Hobart, Australia
Apr 20, 2009 - 06:09pm PT
Great book. Love it. Just the thought of firing up buildings in LA is fun. If I were ever trapped in that urban jungle, this is one book I would I would love to have with me.
dogtown

climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
Apr 20, 2009 - 07:26pm PT
Here's a very cool shot of Reardon soloing the T & S test piece the Pirate 5.12d

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/california/tahquitz__suicide_rocks/suicide_rock/106323302

It's a bit of a thread drift but a cool shot none the less.

Bruce.
Largo

Sport climber
Venice, Ca
Apr 20, 2009 - 07:34pm PT
Nice find, Peter.

And I loved Michael R., but is that pic of the Pirate solo really on the level??

JL
matty

Big Wall climber
Valencia, CA
Apr 20, 2009 - 07:38pm PT
"It's a bit of a thread drift"


to say the least, for a more on topic discussion see here:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=796022&msg=797067#msg797067

and here: (WARNING: many photos and ALL posts load at once)

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=731805&msg=731805#msg731805
matty

Big Wall climber
Valencia, CA
Apr 20, 2009 - 07:45pm PT
Largo- I know the reasons people have to suspect Reardon's solos in general, do you have reason to suspect that this specific photo in some way is a fake, or misrepresents the truth? (he up and down climbed before the crux or rapped in above the crux) Or are you just raising a general suspicion?

Matt
dogtown

climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
Apr 20, 2009 - 07:46pm PT
Yeah, John

It is, I'm not sure what year.I know the guy who submitted the photo.

Bruce.
Nefarius

Big Wall climber
Fresno
May 4, 2009 - 03:59pm PT
My book got here a week ago, or so. BadAss!!! Made use of it already, last weekend while visiting a friend in SoCal.
stevep

Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
May 4, 2009 - 04:49pm PT
I too got a copy of this, and would like to thank Peter for the recommendation. It's very cool.

So, those of you who have the book, which of the routes do you think have actually been climbed?
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
May 4, 2009 - 04:55pm PT
Sounds interesting - thanks! As I'm just reading Night Climbers of Cambridge, perhaps an interesting modern perspective on this.

I find ABE Books (Advanced Book Exchange) a good place to find these sorts of things. A place where hundreds and hundreds of used book sellers from around the world list their wares.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Hartley&sts=t&tn=LA+Climbs&x=0&y=0
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 14, 2010 - 08:01pm PT
Bump For this crazy high quality book of Hartley.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 24 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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