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Gunks history

Original Post
MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66

I'd love a Gunks history book full of stories of significant ascents and colorful background stories. I know a lot of it from the grey/purple/black Dicks, both the front matter and route descriptions. And I have the Dumais book with wonderful photos. Lots of great photos and stories have been posted on various climbing sites by Richard Goldstone, Ivan Rezucha and so many others.

A collection that covers things like first climbs at various grades, interesting info on significant climbs and other events would be fantastic. Maybe similar to what the Stonemasters book was for California, though I'd like more modern history too (e.g. Brian Kim on Monumantle). I also love the style of Red Rock Odyssey by Larry D'Angelo and Bill Thiry.

More info on the less documented areas would be appreciated. I'm sure there is a balance to be sorted out for the less-documented or currently off-limits areas but I'd love to see that info captured. I don't want a Lost City guide for example, but there are certainly some interesting stories there to cover and I've already seen some excellent photos in the Dumais book. Information and shots from Bonticou would be great too.

I've pieced together lots this info from the various sources above but would love a curated collection in book form. Maybe there are already other books out there I should be trying to hunt down - any recommendations would be appreciated, though some seem to be out of print and hard to track down.

Anyone know if something like that is in the works? Hell, I'd even consider trying to compile it myself but am sure there are many *far* more qualified candidates.

Mtn Cat · · Denver, CO · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 21

Yankee Rock and Ice ( Amazon ) gives a detailed history of climbing in the northeast from the 1800s through 1990. It's not specific to the Gunks, but is very Gunks-heavy purely based on the amount of significant climbing that happened there.

It sounds like you're looking for a more colorful, story-based history, which isn't really found in this book. It's more about the milestone climbs, changes in style, culture, etc. for the general area. I don't know of a book that exactly matches what you're looking for, but this a good read that offers a lot of insight in a more historical fashion.

BigA · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 0

It's not a book (yet?) but Rock and Snow's blog has a series called "flashbacks" that chronicles many of the old school climbers. Seems like it's a work in progress, with new posts every month or two.

037200b.netsolhost.com/blog…

There's a link to Rgold's flashback.

SethG · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 291

The above suggestions are good ones. One of the supertopo Gunks threads has a scanned version of the history section from the original Gunks guidebook written by Art Gran, which is also a good read.

Look at post 442

Joe Fitchen has a blog which has at least one or two Gunks stories, and his book "Going Up," which I own but have not yet read, surely has some more.

See here: Click

Someone was making a documentary a couple of years ago. I think they did several long, filmed interviews with the living Gunks legends. Anyone know how that project is going?

James Sweeney · · Roselle Park, NJ · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 30

Seth,

Here's one video of the fireside chats that were originally planned for the movie.
youtube.com/watch?v=r4hA2pA…
There used to be a great one up of Dick Williams telling the story of riding on the top of a van down the old Bonticou ski slope.

The film became "Brave New Wild" and it was shown in Rock and Snow this past May.

Monkey,

You just missed a historical slideshow at Rock and Snow given by Whitney Boland this past October 24.

If you want stories of days gone by you can work on Dick William's trail crew on Sundays from May till October.

Jim

MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66

Thanks all for the links and info. Some I'd seen but lots new! I'll pick up Yankee rock and Ice next time I'm up to Rock and Snow. Forums are nice, but I still like having a book :)

I live hours away so local slideshows or trail crews aren't a great avenue for me. And the thought of those stories getting lost as folks top telling them or the details get foggy makes me a little sad. Aside from entertainment value, the historical insight can provide insight in discussing how things should be done going forward.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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