Video Clips
Below are excerpts from three videos shown in Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing, courtesy of Yosemite National Park Service and the Yosemite Climbing Association.
Excerpt: Sierra Club's Rock Climbing Section Ascent of Lower Cathedral Spire, 1936
courtesy of Yosemite National Park Service (silent)
Excerpt: Third Ascent of Salathé Wall, El Capitan, 1966
courtesy of Yosemite Climbing Association (commentary by Allen Steck, Steve Roper, and Dick Long)
Excerpt: Lynne Hill Free Climbing the Nose, El Capitan, 1994
courtesy of Yosemite Climbing Association (silent)
Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing
June 12–October 4, 2009
The Autry National Center invites the public to meet the people who pioneered modern rock climbing and those who are taking it in incredible new directions in its new exhibition Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing.
These determined free spirits, vagabonds, and visionaries of one of the West's last truly wild experiences guide visitors to the edge of infinity to experience the exhilarating rush and harrowing perils of this most extreme of Western adventures.
Yosemite Valley holds an exceptional place in the history and evolution of the sport of rock climbing. Climbers developed equipment and techniques for Yosemite walls before exporting them across the globe. Yosemite remains a special place where climbers come to advance their skills in one of the world’s most beautiful and challenging settings before applying them to more remote and dangerous mountain ranges throughout the world.
Vocabulary of Climbing
Aid climbing A form of climbing in which a climber’s weight is supported by mountaineering gear such as pitons, cams, carabiners, and ropes.
Anchor The place on a climb where the equipment is attached. Anchors may be rocks, trees, cracks, or any other place equipment can be secured.
Belay The use of ropes to slow a fall; commonly involves two people, the belayer and another climber.
Big wall climbing Climbing on large, sheer mountain walls or cliff faces. Usually involves groups of climbers and multi-day trips, including camping on the rock face.
Bivouac A simple and temporary camp, in climbing often pitched on a rock face. Frequently referred to with the slang term bivy.
Bouldering A form of rock climbing on smaller rock faces and large boulders, using free climbing techniques.
Cam Properly called a spring loaded camming device (SLCD), cams are spring-loaded mechanisms inserted into cracks. When a climber falls, tension on the axle of the device causes the cams to expand, giving even greater pressure on the rock and securing the climber.
Carabiner An oval-shaped metal loop with spring-loaded gate used to attach a rope to items of protection.
Free climbing A form of climbing in which climbers use their hands and feet to make the ascent, using mountaineering gear only for safety.
Piton A metal spike hammered cracks in the rock to hold or brace a climber. Pitons have eyes to hold carabiners and allow the attachment of ropes.
Rappelling The use of controlled friction to descend a wall on a rope.
Stemming A technique in which climbers apply pressure using their own body (usually legs) to secure themselves against the rock face.
Stopper and Hex Similar forms of removable climbing equipment. Stoppers and hexes are placed in cracks by hand, and depend on tension to ensure a tight fit with the rock.
Programs and Events
In partnership with the REI Outdoor School™ and Leave No Trace™, this slate of programs is your opportunity to engage in full-day outings, workshops, and demonstrations.
REI OUTDOOR SCHOOL OUTINGS
Full-day outings begin at the Autry National Center and then embark on classes held offsite at Griffith Park and Stoney Point Park. Space is limited. Preregistration and payment are required for all outings. Fee includes complimentary admission to the Museum of the American West. For more information and reservations, visit any local Southern Californian REI store directly. For a full listing of REI Outdoor School outings, classes, and locations visit www.rei.com/outdoorschool.
Autry Members should contact Manhattan Beach REI at 310.727.0728 directly to sign up for REI Outdoor School outings and to receive Membership discount.
Family Hiking – Griffith Park
July 18, 9:00 a.m.—Noon
REI and Autry Members: $10/Adult
Nonmembers: $30/Adult
Children 18 and under: Free
Introduction to Rock Climbing – Stoney Point
July 25, 7:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
REI and Autry Members: $90/Person
Nonmembers: $110/Person
Introduction to GPS Navigation – Griffith Park
September 12, 8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
REI and Autry Members: $45/Person
Nonmembers: $65/Person
IN-GALLERY ANCHORING DEMONSTRATIONS
July 11, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
September 19, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
The towering granite walls of Yosemite Valley have proven time and time again the ultimate training ground for climbers. Learn what happens when the gear meets the granite and explore the full range of today’s climbing equipment. Informal demonstrations will be held in the Showcase Gallery and are provided by REI Outdoor School instructors. No reservations needed. Free with Museum Admission.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Leave No Trace is a national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impact when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski, or climb. The program strives to educate all those who enjoy the outdoors about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts. Leave No Trace is best understood as an educational and ethical program, not as a set of rules and regulations.
E-Tour: Explore, Enjoy, Experience, Environment, Excitement, Expedition, Education
July 19, 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Stop by and be a part of the Leave No Trace E-Tour, which brings hands-on demonstrations, interactive activities, and general education promoting responsible enjoyment of the outdoors. All ages welcome. No reservations needed. Activities are free and will be held on the Gathering Circle at the Autry National Center.
Awareness Workshop
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Responsible Rock Climbing Workshop
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids (PEAK) Workshop
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Awareness Workshop
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Awareness Workshop
August 22, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Participants receive introductory experiential-based training on outdoor responsibility. Led by local Master Educators, these informal workshops focus on the seven principles of Leave No Trace. All ages welcome. No reservations needed. Activities are free and will be held on the Plaza at the Autry National Center.
AUTRY OUTDOORS
August 22, 11:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
South Lawn, Autry National Center
Join us for a full day of workshops on the Autry’s South Lawn. Taught by REI’s professional outdoors instructors, topics covered include introductory rock climbing basics, essential self-rescue skills, and navigation fundamentals. Space is limited. Preregistration and payment are required for all outings. Fee includes complimentary admission to the Museum of the American West. To sign up for workshops, call 323.667.2000, ext. 389.
Each 90-minute workshop will be offered at three different times throughout the day:
• 11:30 a.m.—12:45 p.m.
• 1:15 p.m.—2:45 p.m.
• 3:15 p.m.—4:45 p.m.
Rock Climbing Basics
Learn the basics of climbing in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This limited-enrollment class will include an overview of the dynamic sport of climbing as well as individualized instruction. The class will focus on climbing movement and will not include belay instruction. Recommended for those 8 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
Autry Members: $20/Person; Nonmembers: $25/Person.
Climbing Self Rescue
Join our REI rock climbing instructors to learn self-rescue skills no climber should be without. Learn how to get yourself out of tricky situations and also offer help to others when professional assistance is unavailable. This class will discuss ascending to aid an injured climber. Gear will be provided. All REI rock climbing courses are taught by professional, dedicated climbing instructors. Recommended for those 14 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
Autry Members: $20/Person; Nonmembers: $25/Person.
Introduction to Geocaching
Come learn about the sport of Geocaching, the exciting GPS and Internet-based hide-and-seek game that’s growing by leaps and bounds across the country! An REI Outdoor School Instructor will introduce you to some of the fun
and practical applications of using a GPS unit in outdoor activities. Recommended for those 8 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
Autry Members: $15/Person; Nonmembers: $10/Person.