Antarctic Retrospective: An Evening with John Evans and Conrad Anker

The BWAMM Speakers Series presents:

Antarctic Retrospective: An Evening with John Evans and Conrad Anker

In 1966, the American Antarctic Mountaineering Expedition set off for the vast, unclimbed peaks of the Sentinel Range in the Ellsworth Mountains of Antarctica. The expedition, led by Nick Clinch from the American Alpine Club and sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society, was wildly successful.

Read more here…

“An Eye at the Top of the World” with Pete Takeda

Join world-class alpinist, journalist and author, Pete Takeda, on Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m., in the Museum, as he discusses the terrifying legacy of the Cold War’s most daring CIA operation from his award-winning book, An Eye at the Top of the World. Pete’s book is atrue story involving Cold War intrigue in the remotest part of the Himalayas and a deadly poison that could potentially be unleashed upon millions of people. According to Takeda, the book is “a blend of Cold War history, environmental mystery and outdoor adventure, unfolding with a real-life Eiger Sanction-esque back-story.” Read more in the Daily Camera here: http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/recreation_columnists/article/0,1713,BDC_2484_4959795,00.html

This is an event that will appeal to history buffs, mountain climbers, and James Bond fans alike.

This is yet another Speaker’s Series event not to be missed!

WHEN:
February 4, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:
American Mountaineering Museum
710 Tenth Street
Golden, CO 80401

HOW MUCH:
This event is FREE, although donations to the Museum are appreciated!

Opening Reception - On High: Cartography of Topography

Join us at the museum on January 29, 2009, for a special opening event with prominent map collector Wes Brown, whose maps form the basis for this important and exclusive exhibit.

The historic map is that unique artifact that combines art, culture, history, science, and style, and so attracts people on a multitude of levels. Some will gaze at a map for the sake of possibility: how do I get from here to there, and where will I pass through?

Indeed, it is a passion for exploration—whether in the field or in the mind—that attracts so many people to maps.

Click here to reserve your spot today!

The BWAMM Speakers Series presents: An Evening with Maurice Isserman & Everest pioneer Tom Hornbein

Isserman’s book, Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering From the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes shares unforgettable stories of the history of the world’s highest peaks and the climbers who challenged their lofty summits. Its in-depth research gives us unique insights into previously unknown controversies, mysteries, and dramas.

Isserman will join Everest pioneer Tom Hornbein for a conversation about the history of Himalayan climbing. Hornbein made the first ascent of the West Ridge of Everest in 1963 with Willi Unsoeld.

Read more…

Jake Norton Accepts Post as Bradford Washburn Museum Director

JAKE NORTON ACCEPTS POST AS BRADFORD WASHBURN MUSEUM DIRECTOR

Western Hemisphere’s only major mountaineering museum now led by a notable climber

Golden, Colorado, November 20, 2008—
The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum (www.bwamm.org) announced today that climber, photographer and explorer Jake Norton has been named Director. The museum is owned and operated by the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) and the American Alpine Club (AAC).

Norton is a professional climber, guide and photographer who has taken thousands of people up peaks ranging from Mount Rainier (88 ascents) to Mt. McKinley and Himalayan giants like Cho Oyu and Gurla Mandhata in Tibet. He has been on 5 Everest expeditions including the 1999 Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition, which discovered the 75 year-old remains of British pioneer climber George Leigh Mallory at 27,000 feet on Everest North Face. Artifacts from that expedition are now on display at the museum.

As a photographer Norton has worked for PBS/NOVA, BBC, Outdoor Life Network, and the Discovery Channel. His work has been published in countless books and magazines, including Vanity Fair, Outside, Forbes, and National Geographic Adventure. Jake’s photography is also featured in 2 books on the Mallory & Irvine Research Expeditions, Ghosts of Everest and Detectives on Everest.

Museum board member Tom Hornbein, who made the first ascent of the West Ridge of Everest in 1963, said, “In his energy, passion, charisma, and love of mountains, Jake brings to the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum the same sort of contagious enthusiasm and vision as Brad during his long tenure directing the Boston Museum of Science. We are blessed to have Jake at the helm.”

Jake makes his home in Golden, Colorado with his wife, Wende Valentine, and their daughter, Lila.

About the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum
Opened in 2008 at 710 10th Street in Golden, Colorado, the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum is devoted to the stories of mountains and mountaineers. The only museum of its type in the United States, the museum introduces visitors to the world of mountain and rock climbing and honors the achievements of mountaineers from America and around the world. Exhibits on climate change, science, mountain culture and the arts make the visitor experience exciting and interactive. www.bwamm.org

About The American Alpine Club
The American Alpine Club inspires and supports and the climbing community and protects its playgrounds around the world. The AAC is perhaps best know for publishing the world’s most sought after annual climbing publication, the American Alpine Journal, caring for the world’s leading mountaineering library and offering annual climbing, conservation and research grants to budding adventurers. Learn about additional programs and become a member at www.AmericanAlpineClub.org.

About the Colorado Mountain Club
The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) is the oldest outdoor education, recreation, and conservation organization in Colorado. Founded in 1912, CMC reaches an annual constituency of over 40,000 citizens, including 5,600 youth, providing a comprehensive and diverse range of programs and activities. Programs revolve around education, conservation, science, history, policy, recreation, arts and culture.

CMC offers a wide range of opportunities for the public to explore, observe, and learn about the Southern Rockies, while simultaneously leading efforts to protect the species, habitats, and wildness of our public lands. CMC publishes a quarterly magazine, Trail & Timberline, and operates a book press with more than 20 current titles. No other organization in the Intermountain West has such a strong or broad-based approach connecting people and our Colorado landscape. www.cmc.org

Tragedy on K2

Eleven people died this week on K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain. An ice fall swept some of the victims away, equipment problems left others stranded. Phil Powers, executive director of the American Alpine Club describes what makes K2 such difficult terrain, and talks about his own experience climbing the mountain here.

Museum Director Takes a Hike

It is a sad day at the museum. Nina Johnson, the museum's founding director, has taken a position at the University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts.

It was less than a month ago that she was hiking with bears on Lumpy Ridge near Estes Park. It was just last week that she was tubing down Clear Creek in Golden. She took two runs down the river--the first being very unpleasant for her, as this photo would indicate.



With a deft understanding of the established practices of the museum world, yet with the ability to see the margins and their benefits, Nina was able to balance what was standard or expected, with a bit of the unexpected, and a bit of the dynamic and challenging. She took what was a lagging museum project and turned it into a world-class institution. We cannot say enough about the style, class, kindness, and friendship that Nina brought to her role as Museum Director. She is also world-class.

We wish her luck in the dessicated wasteland of New Mexico.