Roof of the Rockies

Colorado has more land over 10,000 feet than any other state or province in North America. As many of you know, 54 of its mountains rise over 14,000 feet above sea level, and more than 600 peaks top 13,000 feet. These high summits, along with thousands of rock and ice climbs, attract mountaineers from all over the world.

Colorado has had an undeniable influence on the history of mountaineering and an inspirational role for anyone who has seen its peaks--from the early pioneers who called the Rockies their home, to the 10th Mountain Division and its influence on world history; from the climbing skills learned in Colorado that have been utilized the world over, to the song and poetry that have been created as a result of its beauty.

Colorado will feature prominently in the museum. Historic photographs from the collection of the Colorado Mountain Club will be accompanied by stunning images from today's best mountain photographers, some of whom call Colorado home. Fly through the Colorado section of the museum in this virtual video. You'll end up looking onto the entrance crevasse.

Construction, Day 7: Feel the Noise

Today has been a little distracting for us here at the AMC. The walls were shaking, the earth was quaking. And the demolition of the concrete will continue all week long. Check out the sophisticated machinery (read: toy) they have to demolish the floor.

Museum Fly Through

Thanks to our friends at Quatrefoil Associates, we are able to bring you very cool computer-generated video of the museum space. Click the play button and you will pan across the museum as if you were standing on the mezzanine. Be sure to look down--you're standing on top of a crevasse.

Less than a year from now, this computer-generated scene will be reality.

The Evolution of Mountain Exploration

One of the many highlights of the museum will be a series of exhibit panels, with text and photographs, which will take visitors through the evolution of mountaineering and rock climbing. From the time when mountains were feared for harboring dragons, to the ultra-light and fast mountaineering expeditions of today, the museum will focus on the people, places, techniques, and peaks which will forever be remembered in the history of mountain climbing. You can read more about the evolution of mountaineering here, in this article that is currently on YourHub.com. Look for it in the print edition of YourHub in an upcoming Thursday edition of The Denver Post or Rocky Mountain News.

Here are two computer generated images of the museum space devoted to the evolution of mountaineering.

Construction, Day 1: The Wait is Over!

After much anticipation, construction has begun on the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum. To be more exact, demolition is underway on the space which the new museum will call home. At one point, this old gym hosted basketball games for the Golden Junior High School. Now, the floor is being pulled up and salvaged, the piping is being removed, the walls are being covered, and the space is being readied for renovation.

Join us in the fun. We've already discovered the best place to watch the construction is from the window overlooking what will be the mezzanine, in the lobby of the AMC. There is no doubt it will serve as a source of great distraction in the weeks and months to come. I hereby proclaim that it will be known as the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum Viewing Gallery. If you're in Golden, stop by and have a look yourself.

Here are the views so far (1) from the viewing gallery; (2) board by board, the floor is removed; (3) demolition headquarters, with the plans on the table, and John, the project manager from Sprung Construction, at the helm. No doubt he's arranging for something big.







Be sure to check back with us often as the changes will now be happening on a daily basis.