Off the Beaten Track: Women Adventurers and Mountaineers In Western Canada

by Cyndi Smith

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, CYNDI SMITH

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Travel, Biography, Historical

290 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a second read for me of this inspirational book. I purchased this book while cycling the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Jasper. Historically, little has been written of the women who explored the wild places of North America. Their lives and contributions taking a back seat to male explorers. Women often accompanied the male explorers and made significant contributions in their own right. While she was a scientist and artist, Mary Vaud Walcott also carried the mantle of her husband’s work for the Smithsonian after his passing. This during the early 1920’s. Women also forged ahead and created their own businesses. After several summers in the 1910’s of independent mountaineering and exploring, Caroline Hinman lead exploring trips for young women in the Rockies and throughout the world. Exposing these women to the joys and wonders of the mountains and being self sufficient and strong at a time when this was not the norm.

I have to believe that the Rockies attracted, helped develop and ultimately supported these women in becoming more free spirited and strong than a standard city upbringing would have encouraged. The freedom of being a pioneer in the wilderness leveled the gender playing field a bit and brought a freedom they would not have experienced elsewhere.

My great grandmother gave birth to my grandfather in the Yukon Territory on a gold mine stake in the dead of winter. My grandmother spent her early 20’s exploring Alaska. This book helped me feel close to them. It was a hard life but I have seen pictures of my grandmother in Alaska and the open freedom in her eyes is striking. After reading this book, I feel like I have better insight into what brought that twinkle into her eyes.

But, I digress. I really am glad I came back for a re-read of this book 25 years later. It’s inspirational and refreshing. The sources and bibliography at the end is also worth a read. I hope to find some of these books and articles and delve into this topic more.

I love the paraphrased quote from Mark Twain in the forward: “She is not quite what you would call an undignified woman; she is not quite what you would call a dignified woman. She is the sort of woman who keeps a parrot.” Read the book and happy trails!

[Lyn Zuberbuhler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book while “glamping” @ at the Purcell mountain Lodge in Interior B.C. What a way to visit the high alpine: not just running water, but HOT water, and electricity!!! All thanks to foresight and clever engineering by the original creators of this lodge located at tree line, with a fabulous view of Mt. Sir Donald and the Purcell range. And sustainable: the local creek provided a ready source of fresh water, and the turbine located further down the slope generated the power.
What a different world than the one I was reading about: adventurous women who loved the Canadian Rockies, interior ranges, and the West Coast range.
Most were well-to-do Americans who could afford to stay in the mountains for months at a time, and hire guides and outfitters to take them into the mountains for prolonged exploring.
And explore they did! And climb formidable mountains! And name a few peaks along the way.
All loved the wild places and most tried to inform their fellow citizens when they returned home about the beauty and value of preserving these spaces.
The book reads like an encyclopedia, but the author used as much original material written by the subjects to create their voice and experience.
After visiting Purcell Lodge, I came away with the same feeling of awe for the importance of preserving wild places, even though civilization has certainly had an impact .

[Jessie Mazzei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, for someone who has an explored the Rockies this book was an absolute treat! Picturing these women summiting the same peaks as I have - but over 100 years ago - blew me away. They conquered societal pressures to explore, they wore nailed boots, and wool pantaloons and just absolutely crushed these hikes before mountaineering was even popular. So inspiring!
I would say this book would be quite dull for someone who had not explored these areas; but for me it was magical.

[Amy Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited for this book,I love Rocky mountain history, but this book sadly wasn't what I imagined. It reads more like an encyclopedia article or textbook, there's no imagery or emotion, you don't get the feel of anything. I forced myself to get halfway,then I abandoned it. Also,there seemed to be more about the husbands,fathers, brothers than the women,who it's supposed to be celebrating.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the book is a wonderful record of strong mountaineering women who pushed past societal norms to do what they really wanted to in life. Part of the book really highlights how the rich and bored vacationed to the Canadian Rockies and is much less interesting.

[Redparrot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved reading about the early mountaineering history of women in the rockies. As one of them put it, if the men could do it, so could wek.

Plenty of adventure. would love to have been there in the early days

[Martinxo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book detailing the lives of female explorers of the Canadian Rockies. Worth buying for the cover picture alone. Check it out here:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I...

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about courageous women. A bit dry, but overall, OK.

[James Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning about the different ways women worked, hiked, and mountaineered through Western Canada may seem like a dry subject. Yet it is a history that needs more people, discussion, and recognition in order to keep this history alive and going. Cyndi Smith did a good job in being able not to throw a bunch of facts together. Also, a fan of hockey I liked hearing about other things going on in some of the places that were familiar.