Pushing the Limits: The Story of Canadian Mountaineering

by Chic Scott

Recipient of the Banff Mountain Book Festival's Canadian Rockies Award A book to be read and digested, then sampled, then read and dipped into often a fine achievement for this dedicated author Bruce Fairley, Canadian Alpine Journal

HOLY SHIT WAAAAAAAAAT A FABBBBBULOUS TOME. Tami Knight, Illustrator/Mountaineer

This important new book tells the story of Canada's 200-year mountaineering history. Through the use of stories and pictures, Chic Scott documents the evolution of climbing in Canada. He introduces us to the early mountain pioneers and the modern day climbing athletes; he takes us to the crags and the gyms, from the west coast to Québec, and from the Yukon to the Rockies. But most importantly, Scott showcases Canadian climbers-the routes that challenged them, the peaks that inspired them, their insatiable desire to climber harder, to push the limits.

Begin the trek through Canada's climbing history

Learn about Swiss guides hired by CPR hotels who ushered in the glory years of first ascents. Continue through to the turn of the twentieth century when British and American climbers of leisure found themselves hampered by the difficulties of travel through the Canadian wilderness. Learn about the European immigrants of the 1950s who pushed the limits on the rock walls, and the American superstars who led the search for frightening new routes on the big north faces. Be there when British expatriates pioneer an exciting new trend in world mountaineering-waterfall ice climbing. Witness the popular growth of sport climbing, both on the crags and in the gyms. Finally, enjoy the story of home-grown climbers. Initially slow to take up the challenge, both at home and overseas, they are now leaders in the climbing world.

Genres: Mountaineering

440 pages, Hardcover

First published July 21, 2000

Reviews

[Tami Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pushing the Limits by Chic Scott is the go-to reference tome for Canadian mountaineering. Nothing like it precedes it and, so far, nothing has replaced it. Chic interviewed about ninety climbers from coast to coast to coast in Canada for their stories so much of the material is prime source.

For anybody with interest in mountaineering history, this is a must-have for your bookshelf.

For more awesomeness from Chic :

www.chicscott.com

[Peter Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this ages ago. Loved it! Cannot say enough good about it. The continuity of style makes it easy to read, appreciate and remember as do the photos and captions. A spectacular book; a monumental and fabulous work from a gregarious and legendary climber who knows the people, the mountains and the stories are shared with discipline & care. Every word could almost be carved in stone. Wow!