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Clinch Library Update

Construction of the Clinch Library will be finished in about two weeks. Mike (pictured above) spent several days painting the 40'x24' room. Mike was a huge help when we were moving everything out of the space to prepare for construction. There would have been some broken backs if it weren't for him.

Earlier this week, Brad from Advanced Systems installed the rails on which the seven 32' carriages will be placed. You can see him checking to be sure each rail is perfectly level and exactly the same height as the other rails.

The plywood deck was installed yesterday. Its purpose is to provide a floor surface that is flush with the rails. The entire floor will be tiled over by the end of next week. The mobile carriages will go in immediately thereafter.

It will be a long time before the whole library is relocated to Golden from California, but the first books are scheduled to arrive on October 24 - one day after the final shelf goes in.

Upcoming Event

Where and When:

Thursday, October 23 at 7:00PM

Foss Auditorium

American Mountaineering Center

710 Tenth Street

Golden, CO 80401

Please join us to celebrate the release of the new edition of The San Juan Mountaineers' Climbers Guide to Southwestern Colorado. Originally published in 1933 by Dwight Lavender, Carleton Long, and Art Griffiths, this book is considered to be one of the first modern climbing guidebooks. The Colorado Mountain Club Press spent two years scrupulously recreating the detailed maps and notes from the first edition - of which only two known copies still exist.

Bob Rosebrough, author of Climbing Colorado's San Juan Mountains, will be our featured speaker that evening. Rosebrough will pay tribute to the early San Juan Mountaineers and how they influenced the making of his own guidebook. CMC Press Manager Alan Stark and CMC Press Advisory Board member John Lacher will discuss their inspiration for the new edition. Hear how the CMC Press, American Alpine Club Library, University of Colorado, and a book conservator all worked together to make this project come to life. This is an event that will appeal to history buffs, bibliophiles, climbers, and lovers of the San Juan mountains alike. Copies of the new edition will be available for purchase.

About the book:

Originally published in 1933 by CMC members Dwight Lavender, Carleton Long, and Mel Griffiths, The San Juan Mountaineers' Climber's Guide was the first Colorado climber's guidebook. The book is also considered to be one of the first "modern" climbing guidebooks-one that provides specific route information and accompanying photographs. Most previous climbing guidebooks were what we would today consider to be general travel narratives. The Climber's Guide was unique in its approach in how it informed climbers about what to expect when they ventured into the wilderness.

Most of the book's content came from Lavender's, Long's, and Griffiths's own documentation of the climbs they performed during the 1920s and 30s. In addition to imparting specific route information, The Climber's Guide was also cautionary. As Art Griffiths explains in the new edition's preface, "The well-documented routes to the summits of these mountains helped others avoid the mishaps and difficult route finding that too often occurs in the San Juans." It was the sense of community and affinity for their fellow climbers that compelled Lavender, Long, and Griffiths to write the book.

Details:

Admission is free to Friends of the Library and CMC 21st Century Circle Members. Others are encouraged to make a $10.00 donation to benefit the library. All donations from the event will be contributed toward the National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant the Library is applying for. You can also make an additional donation to the library online (please indicate that your gift be applied toward the grant).

Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to Gary Landeck at 303-951-4564 or glandeck@americanalpineclub.org.

Uncovering The AAC Paintings Collection

Gabriel Loppe, Glacier of the Gorner and the Matterhorn at Sunset
Originally uploaded by American Alpine Club Library

Part of the renovation project has involved creating new inventories of the AAC Collections. This week, we unpacked about 20 paintings that haven't been seen since they were moved from New York in 1993. Come in and visit with us while we have them in the library over the next few weeks, or contact us if you have any information about these inspiring paintings of mountains.

We are in the process of evaluating their condition, researching provenance, and consulting with appraisers. If you have expertise in art history and are looking for a volunteer project - this is the project for you!

You can see images of some of the artwork on our Flickr page.

Clinch Library Construction - Day 13

That blank wall looks a lot better with a door and chair rail on it. Paint will soon follow.

Most of the electrical work is complete in the room's interior. Some of the more extensive HVAC work will begin next week. Advanced Systems was out here on Wednesday to get final measurements for the shelving.

The project completion date will be around October 15 with the first books arriving by the end of October.

Mt. Logan Photos Now Online

Twenty-five images from the collection of Allen Carpé have been posted to Flickr. See this for more info.

Movie Night, September 16th, 7pm -AMC Foss Auditorium

Featuring "Committed", by the fine folks who brought you E11.

Once again, it's FREE! Sponsored by the American Alpine Club and the Colorado Mountain Club.

Here's a trailer: