Thursday, September 24, 2009

Pictures from Space: the Final Photos from Washburn’s Expedition Camera

Pictures from Space: the Final Photos from Washburn’s Expedition Camera
A Presentation by Astronaut John Grunsfeld, “The Hubble Repairman”

September 30, 2009
American Mountaineering Center
710 10th Street, Golden, CO

VIP Reception:
6:00pm-7:15pm
$35 for AAC members and
Friends of the Library/Museum
$50 for non-members
Includes admission to the presentation, appetizers and drinks
RSVP by September 25 to Dana Richardson
drichardson@americanalpineclub.org
303-384-0110 x10

Sign up here.

Presentation:
7:30pm-9:00pm
$5 for AAC members/$10 for non-members
Seating is first-come, first served

In Ansel Adam’s preface to Mount McKinley: the Conquest of Denali, the great photographer wrote, “Without exaggeration, I fully expect to hear someday that Brad has visited the moon, climbed Copernicus, and photographed the lunar Apennines from a private, orbiting module.”

While Bradford Washburn didn’t make it to space, we’re happy to say that his expedition camera did. Last May, as a crew of NASA astronauts completed the final repairs and enhancements to the Hubble, astronaut John Grunsfeld brought along a much smaller, older camera. Grunsfeld, an avid climber, snapped the final photos that will ever be taken with the late-Washburn’s famous expedition camera, a 1929 Zeiss Maximar B 4x5.

On September 30, Grunsfeld will return the camera to the American Alpine Club, to be displayed in the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum. He will also talk about the mission and present the photographs he took from space, which will be displayed alongside a collection of Washburn’s personal favorites. We suspect that Earth’s mountains will look smaller in the photos from space, but no less spectacular. Come see for yourself!

A limited number of autographed prints are expected to be available, free of charge.

Background information: Washburn was one of the leading American mountaineers in the 1920s through the 1950s, putting up first ascents and new routes on many major Alaskan peaks (often with his wife, Barbara, who attended the shuttle launch). Washburn pioneered the use of aerial photography in the analysis of mountains and in planning mountaineering expeditions. His thousands of striking black-and-white photos, mostly of Alaskan peaks and glaciers, are known for their wealth of informative detail and their artistry. Washburn was responsible for some of the finest maps ever made of mountain regions; his maps of Denali and Mount Everest are perhaps the most notable. He founded and served as Honorary Director of the Boston Museum of Science.

In 2008 the Colorado-based Mountaineering Museum named in his honor opened to the public. The historic building that houses the museum is also home to the American Alpine Club’s library, where Washburn’s signed personal collection of over 150 of his favorite photographs reside on permanent loan. Through November, a select number are displayed in the museum.

Washburn was a long-time member of the American Alpine Club, and so too is Grunsfeld. When the astronaut asked the AAC about bringing something special belonging to the club into space, a staff member, Jason Manke, suggested Washburn’s camera. Executive Director, Phil Powers (who in 1988 made the first ascent Denali’s Washburn Face), thought it to be a fitting recommendation. After all, In 1951 Washburn made the first ascent of Denali’s West Buttress. 53 years later, Grunsfeld reached the summit with a small team of NASA climbers. Taking Washburn’s camera into space for its final shots was an opportunity for Grunsfeld to honor the man whose photos greatly inspired him, guiding his way to the summit of North America’s highest mountain, and beyond. During a pre-mission NPR interview Grunsfeld said, “Brad lived just a tremendous life. He is one of my heroes and during the 1920s did just a fantastic number of tremendous climbs all over. As part of that he started pioneering the use of cameras from airplanes. I definitely plan to take some pictures of Hubble with the Zeiss camera but also of mountains which I know Brad would appreciate.”

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

14erWorld.com

CMC members can now join 14erWorld.com at anytime for $7.00. Go here to join or join on the CMC website when you renew your membership.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Summit Registers

Have you been on a peak that needs a new canister or summit register? 14erWorld has a forum where you can put the information. You can also see if the peak you are summiting needs a new canister or register. Canisters and registers can be obtained from the Colorado Mountain Club Office in Golden. Old registers should be returned to the CMC office.

Friday, July 24, 2009

CMC on 14erWorld.com




The Colorado Mountain Club has partnered with 14erWorld.com to bring forums and trip reports to our members. When you join the CMC or renew your CMC membership you ill have the opportunity to join 14erWorld.com for $7. Take advantage of the many features of 14erWorld.com.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Completed all of the 14ers?

Completed all of the 14ers? The list is now online. Ever wondered how you stack up against the great Carl Blaurock? Now you can. The comprehensive list of people who have completed the 14ers is now online.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

See Our Upcoming Schools

Take one of our top quality schools. You need to be a member to take these schools, but the price is the best you can get for the quality of education offered. Learn the essentials of hiking, backpacking, climbing, flyfishing and more.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

The Summer Trail and Timberline Issue 1003 now avaiable Online

Contents
01 Letter from the CEO
05 Inbox
06 On the Outside
10 Mission Accomplishments
Learn the latest from the Conservation and
Education Departments, as well as the Museum.
16 From the Field
A long-distance trekker tests La Sportiva's entry
into the light hiking world.
18 The Clinic
If you live in Colorado, you need to know about lightning.
22 Pathfinder
Need to cool off? Flow like water on these beautiful riverside hikes.
40 From the Archives
We've heard about the 1963 American Everest Expedition, but the triumph of American
mountaineering may have come in 1958. By Gary Landeck
42 CMC Adventure Travel
Want to get away? Join classic CMC trips to Nepal, Vietnam, the Grand Canyon, and more

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Partners Announce Opening of Lincoln-Democrat "14er" Trail Access

FAIRPLAY, Colo., May 29, 2009 – After four years of cooperative efforts, the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI), Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, private land owners, Town of Alma and the U.S. Forest Service-South Park District announce a conditional June 1 opening of the “14er” trail from Kite Lake to Mounts Lincoln and Democrat. Based on trail work completed to-date, private land owners have agreed to a conditional summer 2009 access to Mounts Lincoln and Democrat. Only the approved access route from the Kite Lake trailhead is open. The agreement includes continued efforts to educate hikers about potential mountain dangers and the need to respect private property. Read more

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Join the Colorado Mountain Club

Join the Colorado Mountain Club and enjoy our many summer activities and schools! Hike, climb,do trail work, help us conserve our wild places and learn how to enjoy the mountains safely.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Take an Adventure Travel Trip

Take the Trips You Dream of --Travel the United States and the World! Visit exotic countries and experience the cultures of the world up close and personal. Climb fabled peaks. Hike places that will speak to your soul. Ski the world's best back country powder. Canoe fascinating waterways. Cycle and mountain bike pathways ranging from beautiful, gently rolling hills to challenging rugged steep trails. Go to Adventure Travels

Donate to the Colorado Mountain Club

Your Gift Makes The Colorado Mountain Club Even Better!
We value your participation and loyalty as we near our 100th anniversary. You are likely a member because you enjoy recreating in the mountains, hiking with lifelong friends, and being around people who share your values.

We know you have come to recognize that the CMC is an indispensable part of the mountain community, but we do more than help you recreate responsibly and safely. The CMC preserves the areas you cherish, educates our next generations of hikers and climbers, and provides accurate information via our magazine, website and press. Donate here!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Take One of Our Schools

The Colorado Mountain Club offers a wide range of educational opportunities: program nights, seminars, educational hikes, and a great variety of schools using fellow CMC members--volunteer instructors--to teach members everything from basic hiking skills to high-altitude expeditions and technical rock and ice climbing. Virtually every mountain-oriented skill set is represented among the CMC 's educational opportunities. These courses appeal to people new to the area and the outdoors, as well as to those looking for new ways to enjoy the mountains and expand their personal horizons. See our Upcoming Schools.