Lawrence Grassi

Lawrence Grassi was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. A working-class man of humble Italian origins who worked as a labourer and a coal miner for most of his life, Grassi had a deep passion for the Rocky Mountains. He was famous in the region for his commitment as a guide, a mountain climber, and a builder of greatly admired hiking trails. Today, in or near Canmore, his name graces a mountain, two lakes, and a school, and he is commemorated at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. In Lawrence Grassi: From Piedmont to the Rocky Mountains, Elio Costa and Gabriele Scardellato uncover the deeply private man behind this legend, from his birth in the small Italian village of Falmenta to his long and inspirational career in Canada. Using previously unexamined family letters and extensive information on Grassi’s cohort of Italian immigrants, the authors reconstruct his personal and professional life, correcting myths and connecting his story to the long history of Italian immigration to Canada. The definitive biography of this Canadian mountain hero, Lawrence Grassi will be essential reading for those interested in the history of immigration, sport, and the Rocky Mountains.

With 15,000 copies of previous editions sold, this bestselling guide brings together 150 of Alan Kane’s favourite scrambles, starting in Waterton National Park and working up through the Crowsnest area and Kananaskis Country into the contiguous national parks of Banff, Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper. Each peak can be climbed in one day from a road or backcountry lodge. All scrambles in the book are carefully graded and range from easy walk-ups for experienced hikers who want a little more challenge to more difficult, hands-on scrambles for more daring climbers. Each mountain is well illustrated with route photos and often a photo of the crux.

Recipient of the Banff Mountain Book Festival's Canadian Rockies Award A book to be read and digested, then sampled, then read and dipped into often...a fine achievement for this dedicated author... Bruce Fairley, Canadian Alpine Journal HOLY SHIT WAAAAAAAAAT A FABBBBBULOUS TOME. Tami Knight, Illustrator/Mountaineer This important new book tells the story of Canada's 200-year mountaineering history. Through the use of stories and pictures, Chic Scott documents the evolution of climbing in Canada. He introduces us to the early mountain pioneers and the modern day climbing athletes; he takes us to the crags and the gyms, from the west coast to Quebec, and from the Yukon to the Rockies. But most importantly, Scott showcases Canadian climbers--the routes that challenged them, the peaks that inspired them, their insatiable desire to climber harder, to push the limits. Begin the trek through Canada's climbing history... Learn about Swiss guides hired by CPR hotels who ushered in the glory years of first ascents. Continue through to the turn of the twentieth century when British and American climbers of leisure found themselves hampered by the difficulties of travel through the Canadian wilderness. Learn about the European immigrants of the 1950s who pushed the limits on the rock walls, and the American superstars who led the search for frightening new routes on the big north faces. Be there when British expatriates pioneer an exciting new trend in world mountaineering--waterfall ice climbing. Witness the popular growth of sport climbing, both on the crags and in the gyms. Finally, enjoy the story of home-grown climbers. Initially slow to take up the challenge, both at home and overseas, they are now leaders in the climbing world.

A drive through the mountains is always a pleasant experience. Travellers will be able to make the most of their road trips through the Canadian Rockies by keeping Dave Birrell's new pictorial guidebook handy in their glove compartments. Birrell delivers 50 magnificent mountain panoramas taken from highway viewpoints in the Rockies. Interesting historical tidbits accompany the panorama photos, helping the reader identify peaks by name. Read the fascinating stories associated with geographical features such as valleys, lakes and passes and meet some of the individuals who shaped the early history and exploration of the Rockies.

With over 100,000 copies of the previous editions sold, Gillean Daffern’s bestselling hiking guides to Kananaskis Country have been completely reformatted, revised and updated. As the pre-eminent expert on the area, the author continues to offer something for every level of foot-traveller, be they novice or experienced hikers, scramblers or backpackers. Gillean’s clear and detailed text, enhanced with colour photos and maps, enables everyone to navigate safely through this complex and beautiful area. NEW! The original two volumes have been extended into five exhaustively researched books. NEW! Each new volume includes exciting and previously unpublished trails and routes. NEW! All maps have been completely redrawn and enhanced. NEW! Full-colour photographs throughout do justice to the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies.

This book tells of the larger-than-life guides, mountaineers, and adventurers that created the enduring legends and true tales of the Canadian Rockies when the wilderness was still unspoiled.