Many are the fine peaks worth the summiting, but the 11,000ers of the Canadian Rockies are the crème de menthe beauties in western Canada. Bill Corbett was the 3rd to bag 54 of the 11,000ers, and his 2nd edition is, like the 1st edition, pure gold. Each of the peaks are discussed well and wisely (history and varied routes to the peaks) and the colour photos enrich the mountain tome and make it a superb reference for those keen on doing the 11,000ers.
I have managed to do both Mount Athabasca (11,385) and Mount Hector (11,135)—both fine glacier climbs in the icefields and the much longer Wapta Traverse (glacier high route in Canada)—such treks are good for the soul and sanity. The Introduction to this well wrought keeper covers all sorts of must know information and the Maps are a hand and glove fit with the Introduction. But, the real core and centre of the book is a detailed description and discussion of each of the 11,000ers and a combination of visual and textual overview of treks to the roofs of each of these rock giants, laden as they are with slabs, snow and ice.
There are, of course, many mountains much higher than the 11,000ers, but rare are the mountains that combine such close knit beauty, glacier challenges and technical climbs that can be nail biters. Each of the 11,000ers have, at times, been the delights of mountaineers in different seasons of the year. The chapters on each of the 11,000ers is compact, short but telling—many a reread draws the curious into high mountain challenges that test both body and soul at various levels.
There is a valuable bibliography that brings the book to a fit and fine end and a needful Index, also.
Do purchase, read and inwardly digest this 2nd edition of The 11,000ers of the Canadian Rockies—those who do not feel the tug, draw and pull of such ancient cathedrals will, at least, be inspired to see more of life outside the safe and secure environs of urban life in which, sadly so, much can shrink to the smallest circle turns.
Berg Heil
Ron Dart
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