Zac Robinson – författare

The bold first ascents. Sweeping mountaintop vistas. New mountain names. Behind the Ranges upends these time-worn mountaineering narratives of white male conquest to tell a different, postcolonial story.

From 1827, when botanical collector David Douglas claimed to have climbed the highest mountain in North America, to 1925, when a Japanese team ascended Mount Alberta, imperial fantasy ran rampant in the Canadian West. This period of exploration, map-making, park-making, and amateur sport saw the development of a mountaineering literature and club culture. It has been called "a golden age."

But the story behind the heroics lies with the men and women whose knowledge and work made mountaineering possible: the park labourers, the packers, the guides. This history brings those who have gone unrecognized into the picture and illuminates Indigenous agency. Behind the Ranges explains why some mountain stories get told, and others overlooked.

Conrad Kain is a titan amongst climbers in Canada and is well-known in mountaineering circles all over the world. His letters to Amelie Malek-a life-long friend-offer a candid view into the deepest thoughts of the Austrian mountain guide, and are a perfect complement to his autobiography, Where the Clouds Can Go. The 144 letters provide a unique and personal view of what it meant to immigrate to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century. Kain's letters are ordered chronologically with annotations, keeping the sections in English untouched, while those in German have been carefully translated. Historians and mountain culture enthusiasts worldwide will appreciate Kain's genius for description, his passion for nature, his opinions, and his musings about his life. Foreword by Chic Scott. Epilogue by Don Bourdon.

Examine the life of the pioneering guide in these 144 letters sharing his thoughts on immigrating to Canada, his passion for nature, his travels, and more.Conrad Kain is a titan amongst climbers in Canada and is well-known in mountaineering circles all over the world. His letters to Amelie Malek—a life-long friend—offer a candid view into the deepest thoughts of the Austrian mountain guide, and are a perfect complement to his autobiography, Where the Clouds Can Go. The 144 letters provide a unique and personal view of what it meant to immigrate to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century. Kain''s letters are ordered chronologically with annotations, keeping the sections in English untouched, while those in German have been carefully translated. Historians and mountain culture enthusiasts worldwide will appreciate Kain''s genius for description, his passion for nature, his opinions, and his musings about his life."In a culture that enjoys as many romantic figures as there are mountain peaks on the horizon as viewed from a lofty summit, Conrad Kain holds a special place in the historical landscape of western Canada''s mountains. Robinson . . . makes no secret of his affection for Kain, and that''s a good thing, because he handles the letters Kain wrote throughout his adult life while guiding in Canada and New Zealand to his dear friend in Austria, Amelie Malek, with the care and reverence they so richly deserve." —Lynn Martel, Alpine Club of Canada Gazette"From his letters, it''s obvious that Kain loved climbing mountains for the physical challenge, to meet interesting people, to make a living, and for opportunities to travel around the world, but most especially because of his all-consuming love of the natural world." — Cyndi M. Smith, The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Vol. 129, No. 1

Examine the life of the pioneering guide in these 144 letters sharing his thoughts on immigrating to Canada, his passion for nature, his travels, and more.Conrad Kain is a titan amongst climbers in Canada and is well-known in mountaineering circles all over the world. His letters to Amelie Malek—a life-long friend—offer a candid view into the deepest thoughts of the Austrian mountain guide, and are a perfect complement to his autobiography, Where the Clouds Can Go. The 144 letters provide a unique and personal view of what it meant to immigrate to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century. Kain''s letters are ordered chronologically with annotations, keeping the sections in English untouched, while those in German have been carefully translated. Historians and mountain culture enthusiasts worldwide will appreciate Kain''s genius for description, his passion for nature, his opinions, and his musings about his life."In a culture that enjoys as many romantic figures as there are mountain peaks on the horizon as viewed from a lofty summit, Conrad Kain holds a special place in the historical landscape of western Canada''s mountains. Robinson . . . makes no secret of his affection for Kain, and that''s a good thing, because he handles the letters Kain wrote throughout his adult life while guiding in Canada and New Zealand to his dear friend in Austria, Amelie Malek, with the care and reverence they so richly deserve." —Lynn Martel, Alpine Club of Canada Gazette"From his letters, it''s obvious that Kain loved climbing mountains for the physical challenge, to meet interesting people, to make a living, and for opportunities to travel around the world, but most especially because of his all-consuming love of the natural world." — Cyndi M. Smith, The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Vol. 129, No. 1

In Mountain Voices, alpinists, activists, artists, and mountain researchers share the ways Canadian mountains have impacted their lives. Each contributor brings a unique and fascinating perspective to the mountain landscape with short essays accompanied by a pair of photographs from the remarkable archive of the Mountain Legacy Project, illustrating the history, geography, and lasting inspiration of the mountains.Mountain Voices draws on the vast bank of historic and repeat photographs produced by the Mountain Legacy Project, the world's largest systematic and comprehensive collection of mountain photographs, spanning more than a century. From fragile glass plate negatives to modern, high-resolution photography, these images document a mountain landscape during times of drastic change.Mountain Voices features a diverse array of voices, including Indigenous activists, employees of Canada's national parks, interdisciplinary scientists dedicated to mountains, alpine adventurers, and historians captivated by tales of mountain pasts. Mountain Voices brings the landscape to life through the passion and devotion of those who love it deeply.With contributions by: Leanne Allison, Renellta Arluk, Rick Arthur, Catrin Brown, Bruce Cockburn, Alison Criscitiello, Joanna Croston, Jill Delaney, Winston Delorne, Julie Fortin, Paulette M. Fox, Will Gadd, Ben Gadd, Eric Higgs, David Hik, Aerin Jacob, David P. Jones, Gùdia (Mary Jane) Jonson, Michelle Koppes, Roger Laurilla, Nikita Lopoukhine, Bruce Mayer, Bernadette McDonald, Ella Molnar-Piché, Pat Morrow, Peter Murphy, Liza Piper, Graeme Pole, Martin F. Price, Sara Renner, Jeanine Rhemtulla, Chris Rhodes, Zac Robinson, Mary Sanseverino, Chic Scott, Rain Scott, Stephen Slemon, William Snow, Karen Sorensen, Ellie Stephenson, Robert D. Turner, Nancy J. Turner, Robert Vranich, Kristen Walsh, Meghan J. Ward, Rob Watt, Cliff White, Andy Williams, Carmen Wong, Ken Wylie