Camp 4 - by Steve Roper (Paperback)

About the Book

Anecdotes chronicle the history of Yosemite climbing -- significant climbs and riveting controversies from the golden age of big-wall Yosemite climbing

Book Synopsis

2022 National Outdoor Book Award Outdoor Classic Winner
* Includes stories of such greats as Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, Allen Steck, and Warren Harding
* Captures the raucous, outrageous, innovative spirit of climbing in Yosemite during this period
* Portrays the advances in equipment and style that revolutionized big-wall climbing

In the 1960's, California's Yosemite Valley was the center of the rock-climbing universe. Young nonconformists -- many of them the finest rock climbers in the world -- channeled their energy toward the largely untouched walls and cracks. Soon climbers from around the globe were coming to Camp 4 -- gathering spot for the creators of the Golden Age of Yosemite climbing -- to see what all the fuss was about.

Climber and author Steve Roper spent most of 10 years living in the Yosemite Valley with its intriguing inhabitants. Camp 4 is his take on the era's top climbers and the influences behind their achievements. The text is full of stories both hilarious and revealing about the likes of bolt-disdaining Royal Robbins; fun-loving, big-wall expert Warren Harding; free-climber Frank Sacherer; multi-talented Chuck Pratt; master craftsman Yvon Chouinard; and ill-fated Mark Powell. Roper also tips his hat to the elder statesmen of the 1930s and 1940s who pioneered early, important climbs in the valley.

Camp 4 looks at the most significant climbs, and the most riveting controversies of a legendary era. With more than 50 fascinating historical photographs, most never before published, Camp 4 is the definitive history of Yosemite climbing during this period.

From the Back Cover

In the 1960s, California's Yosemite Valley was the center of the rockclimbing universe. It was the perfect place for young nonconformists to drop out, hang loose, and channel their energy into climbing the valley's largely untouched walls and cracks. Many of these "misfits" were the finest rock climbers in the world. Some even shaped the future of the sport. And by the end of the decade, climbers from around the globe were coming to Camp 4 - gathering spot for the creators of the "Golden Age" of Yosemite climbing - to see what all the fuss was about. Climber and author Steve Roper spent most of ten years living in Yosemite Valley with its intriguing inhabitants. Camp 4 is his take on the era's top climbers and the (sometimes whimsical) influences behind their achievements.

Review Quotes

... captures the real spirit of the Golden Age of American rock climbing.-- "Yvon Chouinard"

First published in 1994 and now in its seventh printing, Camp 4 is clearly a classic work on rock climbing. It covers the golden age of Yosemite climbing, that quarter century period from 1947 to 1971. Author Steve Roper was there in the 1960's, a part of a curious mix of personalities and egos who were associated with the ground breaking climbs that marked the period. "I strode among giants," he writes, "though at the time I felt more like a misfit associating with oddballs." Much could have been written about Yosemite's history during this period, yet Roper has wisely compressed it into just the right amount for a fascinating read.-- "National Outdoor Book Award Judges"

Informed, insightful, masterful.-- "Climbing magazine"

It's a rousing read.-- "Royal Robbins"