Climber's Paradise: Making Canada's Mountain Parks, 1906-1974

by PearlAnn Reichwein

The mountain parks are for all Canadians for all time and their value cannot be measured in terms of how many access roads, motels, souvenir shops and golf courses we have provided. -- Bob Jordan, 1971 The Alpine Club of Canada imagined the Rockies and neighbouring ranges to the west and the north as a climber's paradise. Through a century of adventure and advocacy, the ACC led the way to mountain pursuits in spectacular regions. Historian and mountain studies specialist PearlAnn Reichweins research is informed by her experiences mountaineering and by her interest in mountain culture. She presents a compelling case for understanding wild spaces and human activity within them as parts of a whole. A work of invaluable scholarship in the areas of environmental history, public policy, sport studies, recreation, and tourism, this book will appeal to many non-specialists, mountaineers, environmentalists, and travellers across Canada and beyond.

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2014

Reviews

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this book will appear in The Canadian Journal of History.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Equal parts ACC history, Canada Parks history (in the Rockies) and critique of the two along lines of gender, race, class, and ableism. This was history I havent been able to find elsewhere and I found it really valuable for understanding the various zeitgeists over the area and how people were relating to the mountains, the conservation history of the ACC including how it did and didnt adjust to newer Leave No Trace Ethics. Honestly Id buy a copy for referance if I found a used one.

[Bill Leach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is entitled "Making Canada's Mountain Parks 1906-1974". However, it is mainly about the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) and it's relationship with the mountains, primarily the Rockies.

The first third describes the early days of the ACC. Much interesting detail, and many excellent photos from the early years are included.

The remainder of the book concentrates on conservation and environmental issues. Interesting is the changing attitude of the ACC and the Parks Administration regarding development. While the ACC has been largely against development, with notable opposition to the Waterton, Spray and Minnewanka hydro development, there have been periods such as post WWII when they were proponents of development. Since the time of JB Harkin as Parks Commissioner (1911-36), Parks have tended to push development. Prior to 1930, much of the Spray was part of Banff National Park, but a rearrangement of boundaries allowed the hydro development.

Sections of what must be "leisure philosophy" are to be wedged into the text. Of one climb she observes "Anchorite's currency as a first ascent rested on colonial assumptions and sporting claims based on conservative sports ethics." These latter day assessments eventually prove tiresome.

No where is it explained why the review extends to 1974, 30 years before the books publication. Presumably volume 2 is in the works.