Norman Clyde: Legendary Mountaineer of California's Sierra Nevada

by Robert C. Pavlik

This riveting account of one of the most notable personalities of the mountain climbing world reconstructs the life of legendary mountaineer Norman Clyde (1885-1972). He made his mark on history with more than one hundred and thirty first ascents throughout western North America, and many believe he knew the High Sierra better than anyone else, including John Muir. Part of his mystique comes from participating in high-profile mountain rescues and recoveries, in which he is credited with saving a number of lives. Those who had the good fortune to meet him–often with a ninety-pound pack on his back that included an anvil for boot repair, fishing rods, cooking pots, and books in Greek and Latin–never forgot the experience. Biographer Robert C. Pavlik uses Clyde’s own words, along with recollections from his family, friends, fellow climbers, and acquaintances, to capture the experiences of a remarkable man and a bygone time “between the pioneers and the rock climbers.”

Genres: Adventure, Nonfiction, Nature, Biography

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Karel Baloun · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you believe this period of California mountaineering history is important, or you just want to read a short, fascinating, unique biography of the end of the Wild West ... Then this is your book!

The depth of primary source research here is impressive, and almost just as independently historically interesting. I wonder if young people today could do anything like this, especially since so much is now only digital.

I’ve been in California, and exploring the Sierra, for most of my life, yet I knew almost nothing of this. This will certainly enrich my future travels.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this concise and informative biography about Norman Clyde. I’d never heard of him before reading this book, but was fascinated to learn about his mountaineering exploits and quirky personality. Seriously, this guy was crazy- he climbed over 1,000 peaks in his lifetime, many of which had never been climbed before. I understand his passion for the Sierra Nevadas and envy his skills.

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solidly written, but you may find it too brief for the fascinating material. There are likely more extensive biographies out there of Norman Clyde. For what it is - a lightspeed tour through a mountaineer's life - the book does well.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting person and great history of the Sierra/Owens Valley and other mountain ranges.

[Gay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norman Clyde was a mountaineer extraordinaire of the Sierras. He had an amazing capacity to hike, climb and carry a huge pack. He spent years in the mountains and made more than 100 first ascents of mountains. He climbed many mountains time after time. He was content in the mountains. He was not always an easy man to be around! Of special interest, he remembered most of his climbs and the routes! He had an uncanny way of figuring how to approach a new route... or how to find a missing climber. Good book for those who love the Sierras and admire a tough individual.

[David Kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman C. was the most colorful mountaineer of the late 1800s and early 1900s in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Norman lived to a different drummer. This biography is wonderful and captures his quirky life. He lives his life the only way he knew how on the eastern escarpment of the Sierras.
Even as principal of the local High School in Independence,CA he impacted those young folks in the town and then escaped back into the hills. He was most happy in the mountains carrying out duties of the LAWAP or leading a packtrain to a destination.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. Clyde is certainly a fascinating character, a prodigious mountaineer who was also a classical scholar and a world-class grump. And the author certainly did his homework--the book has a wealth of detail. But somehow the beauty and excitement of the mountain life don't come across.
But then, Clyde himself doesn't seem to have expressed it much. Let's hope he felt it.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mostly because I hike peaks for recreation, and found his story interesting.