A Place In Which To Search: Summers in the Wind Rivers

by Joe Kelsey

In 1969 Joe Kelsey pitched a tent in the Wind River Mountains, declared it home, and has returned every summer since. A wilderness paradise, the range straddles the Continental Divide in northwestern Wyoming. Kelsey and a cadre of other young climbers ventured into the Winds to explore routes more obscure than those in the popular Teton Range to the west. Through tales of pitons and nuts, heroic climbers and Vulgarians, solitude and community, Kelsey captures the exploration of an enigmatic mountain range, the cultural evolution of climbing, the camaraderie of camp life, and the responsibility that comes with falling in love with a place. Feeling part of wild land, seeing ourselves reflected in it, gives us a glimpse of who we are. Kelsey's book shows how he found a true sense of self in one of North America's wildest places.

278 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2016

Reviews

[Amber Brusak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with rating this book - there were certain passages that spoke to my soul about the elation of being in and moving through the mountains. Some passages were of less interest to me and took me more time to get through. Overall, the book made me long for the Winds again.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit rambling, but a pleasant way to relive your own time in the Winds. Thanks Art Lang.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some good quotes about raisins and climbing

[Kaitlyn Zeichick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this while backpacking in the wind River range, and loved it. It’s a medley of memories from one of the Wind River Range guidebook authors about his adventures in the Winds, interspersed with takes on hot climbing topics (should anchors be allowed? Why climb in the Winds when the Tetons are so close?), and lots of thoughts on what makes climbing meaningful.

Some favorite quotes (but I have lots more):

Our liberal wing ended up conceding that screwed-up reasons for the first step do not make it impossible to get anything worthwhile from the mountains, just make it harder to escape the ranks of the damned.

Chuck never aspired to greatness, but he did aspire to fun.

The propensity to be inspired by what leaves duller souls uninspired is an important ingredient of being a mountain traveler.

In addition to savoring the purposelessness of being in the wind rivers, I get the feeling of being at home in the mountains, while a Teton adventure often feels like a temporary foray into inhospitable terrain.

It seems to me that taking a break from earning an unnatural living by devoting weekends to childlike activity is natural behavior.

The best we can hope for is to be absolutely content, in certain places, for limited periods of time.

[Ben Juneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel good things! It rambles at times. I think which rambles you'll enjoy depend on if you care more about hiking, backpacking, climbing, or the variety of other environmental/social topics Kelsey touches on. I'd recommend it to anyone who has love for the Winds or wants to go someday.

[Zach LaFond-Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is not especially focused, but it gets an extra star for being able to take me to my most loved place just by opening a book.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Friend Joe wrote this compelling anthology of his experiences in my precious Wind River mountains. I have always admired his guide books and his first hand accounts but this really hit home as to how much Joe loves this wilderness range. Kudos, Joe!

- picked up because I know the author and admire him