Climb

As a geologist, Kerry L. Burns explored the Tasmanian wilderness, the Australian outback, and Cordillera Darwin in Tierra del Fuego in South America. He is currently a geothermal energy consultant for projects around the world. Cameron M. Burns is a climber, writer, and editor based in Colorado. He has been a reporter/correspondent/columnist with dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites. He is author, coauthor, editor, and contributor of more than two dozen books about the outdoors.

Praise for Climb--a 2012 Colorado Book Award Finalist: "A great anthology that captures the humor, epics, and magic of the game we play."—Sir Chris Bonington, acclaimed British mountaineer and author "Climbers usually have more on their minds than putting pen to paper, such as getting to the next route alive. This lack of time or concentration leads to many dull accounts for those who lazily rise to the occasion. But here, in Climb, the editors have gone to the trouble of scouring the vast body of climbing literature and pulling forth some of the most varied and lyrical pieces of our strange pastime. It's unusual and wonderful to see an account of an ancient French adventure coupled with an eloquent book review-and, of course, all sorts of other fascinating material. Well done!"—Steve Roper, noted climber, author, and historian of the Sierra Nevada and founding editor of Ascent "This collection of mountain tales brings together some of the finest and most important stories in climbing history. I am delighted to rediscover many of my favorite treasures, and surprised that I'd overlooked a few that were equally good. Here is mountaineering distilled to its essence."—John Harlin, climber, author, and editor of American Alpine Journal "Kerry and Cameron Burns have compiled an eclectic mix of articles and short stories that span the rich history of our sport, from playful humor to the distinctly serious. For me, one gem is a previously unpublished account of the first British ascent of the Bonatti Pillar, which provides new insight of both events and the (now legendary) players of this simply epic tale."—Lindsay Griffin, acclaimed British mountaineer "If you want to learn why the best climbing narratives transcend the adventure genre and speak through the ages, read Climb."—John Long, legendary climber and adventure writer "Glistening narratives from climbing's best story tellers."—John Middendorf, American big wall climber and developer of climbing equipment "The Burnses have done a magnificent job of distilling the climbing experience in their selection of writings for this anthology. These accounts by various authors from the 14th century to the present recount every kind of tale from early traditional alpine ascents (to reach summits) to the more varied forms of climbing we now see in the 21st century. This book is more than just a collection of stories about climbing. These epics recount triumph and tragedy as well as the foibles of humankind itself, exploring the depths of the human psyche. Add this one to your book collection!"—Ed Cooper, American climbing author and mountain photographer