Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada

I read this book years ago, and I really enjoyed reading what it was like back in the early days of California.I purchased this edition to replace the one I borrowed from a friend and lost. It's pretty much the same book; it seems that only the print and graphics are different. His recounting of one of the first mountaineering expeditions in the Sierra Nevada is definitely the best part of this collection of stories; however, the other chapters are interesting too.

Interesting descriptions of early explorations in the Sierra from the viewpoint of a geologist. These people were pretty tough and persevered in conditions that would send modern people packing. Unfortunately, King was a jerk and a bigot, and it makes for difficult reading at times.

I enjoyed King's first hand account of this exploration in the Sierra Nevada. It is only fitting that a mountain in Kings Canyon Park is named after him.His writing style is educated and informed. His adventures away from the mountains paint a portrait of a robust and courageous individual. HIs escape from the desperados following him to steal his money was quite an episode.

Very interesting insight in to not only early Mountaineering in California, but also of life in early California. Being a longtime resident of the Valley, it was great to get a glimpse into the past and dream of what it was then, as opposed to now

Here is a book that combines science, adventure, and history in remarkably modern voice from 150 years ago.Clarence King preceded Muir into High Sierras as a geologist, surveyor and cartographer. He ended up writing great tales of local characters, about his horse, barely surviving a blizzard on the rim on the Yosemite, mountain climbing and escaping bandits.It is a personal history that should never have been forgotten.