What do you think?
Rate this book
Rocks Above the Clouds: A Hiker's and Climber's Guide to Colorado Mountain Geology
* A geologic primer for mountain people.
* A range-by-range geologic description of Colorado mountains
* Detailed geologic information on the Fourteeners.
Rocks Above the Clouds is the first geology book written for climbers, scramblers and hikers. It is an exploration of how the nature of mountains and the challenges they present to the climber and hiker are influenced by the rocks that form them, in other words, by their geology.
After describing the types of rocks found in mountains, the authors of Rocks Above the Clouds cover the geologic process from the big bang through the processes that continue to shape the mountains today. This mountain geology primer is a range-by-range description of what to expect in the Colorado mountains followed by some very curious information on the Colorado 14ers.
Whether you travel in the mountains as a casual hiker, peak bagging scrambler, or technical climber, knowledge of mountain geology can help in planning your route, selecting your campsite and evaluating the hazards you face. Knowing something about different rock types might enable you to pick a route that avoids loose rock. Knowing that when wet, a particular rock surface will feel like oil might encourage you to forgo that siesta on the summit and head down before the afternoon thunderstorm.
* A range-by-range geologic description of Colorado mountains
* Detailed geologic information on the Fourteeners.
Rocks Above the Clouds is the first geology book written for climbers, scramblers and hikers. It is an exploration of how the nature of mountains and the challenges they present to the climber and hiker are influenced by the rocks that form them, in other words, by their geology.
After describing the types of rocks found in mountains, the authors of Rocks Above the Clouds cover the geologic process from the big bang through the processes that continue to shape the mountains today. This mountain geology primer is a range-by-range description of what to expect in the Colorado mountains followed by some very curious information on the Colorado 14ers.
Whether you travel in the mountains as a casual hiker, peak bagging scrambler, or technical climber, knowledge of mountain geology can help in planning your route, selecting your campsite and evaluating the hazards you face. Knowing something about different rock types might enable you to pick a route that avoids loose rock. Knowing that when wet, a particular rock surface will feel like oil might encourage you to forgo that siesta on the summit and head down before the afternoon thunderstorm.
128 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
12 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 31, 2024
Book 26 of 2024: Rocks Above the Clouds: A Hiker's and Climber's Guide to Colorado Mountain Geology by Jack Reed and Gene Ellis (2009, Colorado Mountain Club Press, 240 p.)
This is a nice guidebook of Colorado mountain geology, presented range by range. It's written by two USGS (retired) geologists. I'm virtually certain I've met one of the authors (Reed) during my time at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood.
It includes a nice overview of the geology of the 14ers.
I love the sat imagery and geologic maps of each range with the location of 14ers marked.
While I don't carry guidebooks with me on hikes or climbs, this will be one I will keep in my truck as I renew my love affair with the Colorado Rockies.
My only complaint is that some of the geologic units on the maps are not in the accompanying Explanations.
Recommended.
This is a nice guidebook of Colorado mountain geology, presented range by range. It's written by two USGS (retired) geologists. I'm virtually certain I've met one of the authors (Reed) during my time at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood.
It includes a nice overview of the geology of the 14ers.
I love the sat imagery and geologic maps of each range with the location of 14ers marked.
While I don't carry guidebooks with me on hikes or climbs, this will be one I will keep in my truck as I renew my love affair with the Colorado Rockies.
My only complaint is that some of the geologic units on the maps are not in the accompanying Explanations.
Recommended.
February 14, 2012
This is a beautifully assembled book -- it made me hungry to be in the mountains again, and fed that hunger at the same time. I've long had a casual appreciation of the great variety of geologic stuctures in the Colorado Rockies. This brief survey allowed me to understand why different ranges in the Rockies look so different. The illustrations and photos are gorgeous, and do a great job of showing what the text describes. A joy to read on its own, I look forward to taking it into the field the next time I get a chance. I don't remember the last time a little book made me so happy.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews