Climbers’ informal archive is vanishing

Ever since climbers started reaching the tops of Sierra Nevada mountains in 1864, they have left behind notebooks or other writings recording the event stored in jars, cans, or metal boxes. Sometimes they just write down their names; other times, they record their route, the weather, their feelings. Ansel Adams left a register on Mt. Conness in 1920. “It’s pretty neat,” said a 72-summit climber. “It’s history without having to go to a museum. You just climb the mountain and there it is.” Some of these summit registers , including one started in 1936, are disappearing at an increasing rate. To preserve the books before they disappear, some full and damaged registers are being sent by the Sierra Club to UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library and replaced with new ones. [Into thin air – Climbers’ notes left on Sierra summits are vanishing – and no one knows why]

October 25, 2004 by Uncategorized 0

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