Missing in the Minarets: The Search for Walter A. Starr, Jr.

by William Alsup

This riveting narrative details the mysterious disappearance of Peter Starr, a San Francisco attorney from a prominent family, who set off to climb alone in the rugged Minaret region of the Sierra Nevada in July 1933. Rigorous and thorough searches by some of the best climbers in the history of the range failed to locate him despite a number of promising clues. When all hope seemed gone and the last search party had left the Minarets, mountaineering legend Norman Clyde refused to give up. Climbing alone, he persevered in the face of failure, resolved that he would learn the fate of the lost man. Clyde’s discovery and the events that followed make for compelling reading. Recently reissued with a new afterword, this re-creation of a famous episode in the annals of the Sierra Nevada is mountaineering literature at its best.

Genres: Outdoors, History, Nonfiction, Nature, Biography

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Karel Baloun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of early California mountaineering, through the lens of an epic tragedy. Fortunately Alsup’s formidable primary research skills attached onto this before age would have made key personal interviews impossible.

I found the accounts riveting, and the personalities fascinating. My travels to Mammoth and the Minarets will never be the same, now full of life and historical texture.

[Koger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. Definitely looking forward to backpacking here and retracing some of the steps in this account

[Zardoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of mountaineering history of the Sierras in the early 1930's. The narrative Involves a lost climber and the search for his remains by another famous alpinist who refused to give up when others had.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is similar to "The Last Season" by Eric Blehm in that it chronicles the disappearance of a very capable mountaineer in the high sierra. Walter Starr was in his prime in what some have called the "golden age" of mountaineering, the early 1930's. There were peaks aplenty and solo climbing was the rule rather than the exception. Ropes were mainly used for the more dangerous down climbing. This is in stark contrast to the modern technological face of extreme mountaineering. First ascents were there for the taking and the star of the rescue party was Norman Clyde, the man who holds the record for first ascents (118 separate peaks, not routes!) in the Sierra.

The author delves into the personalities of Walter's father and the other participants in the rescue effort. These men also were prominent in the Sierra Club and the modern conservation movement. He does a good job of unraveling all the details, which contained myriad of date inaccuracies and other contradictions.

Early in my backpacking career I saw Norman Clyde in the Big Pine drainage fishing for the brown trout he loved. He was charismatic to say the least and had a group of admirers watching him work his magic. Alsup does a good job of describing this man, warts and all. This alone is worth the effort of reading this book closely.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cool book that I just happened upon in the Chico Library. It's an account of a mountaineer in the Minarets are of theCalifornia Sierra who disappears on a solo trip in 1933, and of the search to find him.

The writer weaves in a lot of history of the early years of Sierra exploration, and a number of prominent early mountaineers figure in the account. These include Norman Clyde and Ansel Adams. The book has a lot of photos from the period; photos of both the landscape, and of the people involved in the search. It's pretty amazing to see the relatively unsophisticated equipment of those times. Basketball sneakers for rock climbing! The search is a bit like a mystery, putting together faint clues, pursuing false leads, heroic persistance on the part of one searcher, etc. Though tragic, Missing in the Minarets is a window into early mountaineering in the High Sierra.

[Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you like to read about hiking and climbing in the Sierras of California. This is the story of a group of young fellows who loved to climb the peaks of the Sierras before very many had done so. They left notes in tin cans on the tops of the peaks and were interested in helping others enjoy the "Range of Light" by making guides to the different ascents. Their guides were featured in the Sierra Club Bulletin of the time. One of the young men, a 30 year old lawyer from the Bay area, left on a solo hike in 1933 and never returned. This book is the story of the search for Walter (Peter) Starr, Jr. The quotes and photographs make for a gripping tale with a sad ending. However, the sense of wonder at what these early climbers were accomplishing and their joy in the journey was conveyed beautifully by the author.

[Andrea Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just hiked through the Minarets and was full of the kind of joy that difficult hikes in beautiful places bring, and a man at a hot spring told me about this book.

I'm so glad I found out about this book because it made me aware of the people before us, who also loved this place and made sure it would be preserved for future generations.

I hadn't thought much of the Sierra Club in recent years and it gave me a renewed appreciation for that venerable organization.

The story of the search and the individual characters, especially Clyde, has enriched my experience of the Minarets.

I feel a debt of gratitude to the wonderful author who's research brought to light this story of Peter Starr.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating recount, especially if you are a hiker/backpacker/climber and/or familiar with the geographic areas discussed. Very interesting assortment of names involved going back the days when the San Francisco Bay Area was still somewhat rural and highway-free and roads through Yosemite were not yet paved. I never knew that Ansel Adams taught piano, and these tidbits of information about the admittedly rather elite people connected to this story fueled my curiosity for more knowledge of the situation, facts and details. I definitely want to go explore the Minarets for future hiking and backpacking in the eastern Sierras.

[Russ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthwhile read for anyone has spent time in the Sierra Nevada and gazed upon, or hiked and climbed around the Minarets. It's good for understanding the history of those who came before us, and if you've read the Starr Guide to the John Muir Trail, it's nice to know more about the name behind it. The straight factual account of the search for Starr was interesting, but could have been more interestingly written. Overall, a good read for those spending time in the Eastern Sierra.

[Monica Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly gripping tale of a missing climber/first-ascent pioneer in an area of the Sierras that is truly beautiful. The book has wonderful photos interspersed richly and appropriately. Very evocative of early exploration on the John Muir trail. My family backpacked here every other year when I was young. I must get back!

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reconstruction of the accident on the Minarets in the California Sierra Nevada that killed Peter Starr in 1933 and the search for his body that involved the legendary mountaineer Norman Clyde. Essential reading for anyone who loves and hikes these mountains.

[Ivor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having backpacked near some of the mountains and lakes described in this story, I appreciated hearing about mountaineering in this area during the 30s. However, the writing was a bit dry and would not have engaged me as much had I not visited some of the areas described.

[Mike Atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love reading these stories of people that get outside and who love wilderness and mountain regions. Sometimes these regions don't love us back and a very high price can be paid.

[Phil Gavenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read of a well-known Sierra Nevada climbing episode. Well-written narrative but if you're not somewhat familiar with the geography of the Banner/Ritter/Minarets area be sure to have a detailed map. Surprise appearances by some of the biggest names in modern Sierra history; e.g., Norman Clyde, Ansel Adams. (Has endnotes, which I like.)

[Carrie Froese]

The story of Walter A. Scott's death and subsequent search on the Minarets of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The sun to thunderstorm dangers of the Sierra which making mountaineering a sometimes life death pursuit. Sad local history of our cabin at Silver Lake.

[Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting search for a mountain climber, though reading about the beauty of this part of California isn't as fun as being there.

[Laird Henkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books for people already interested in exploring and/or history of the Sierra Nevada. Very well researched and well written. Probably a bit esoteric for a general audience.

[Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a backpacking trip through the Minarets last season, this was a riveting account of the pioneers and the spirit that drives people into the Sierra.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book set in the 1930's. Walter "Pete" Starr went hiking in the Sierra Nevadas and never returned. His family organized a search for him but only his remains were ever found.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. Nicely crafted book with historic images. The story reminds me of Everett Ruess.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

National Park Service winner

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really perfect balance of history and mystery which makes for a quick read. Particularly recommend if you’ve ever spent any time in the Sierra Nevada.