Climbing on EARTH Magazine

Down to Earth With: John 'Jack' Reed Jr.

Wed, 23 May 2018 17:27:42 -0400

John "Jack" Reed Jr. Credit: Mountaineers Books

Geologist Jack Reed spent his career studying rocks the most strenuous way someone can — by climbing them. During much of his 47 years with the U.S. Geological Survey, Reed clung to rock faces in Alaska, Wyoming and Colorado, while creating geologic maps of North America’s tallest mountain ranges. Along the way, he published dozens of books for climbers and hikers on the geology of places like the Tetons in Wyoming, Seneca Rocks in West Virginia, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and, most recently, “Rocks Above the Clouds: A Climber’s Guide to Colorado Mountain Geology.” Shortly before his latest book hit the shelves, Reed took some time out of his busy retirement schedule to speak with EARTH contributor and fellow climber Mary Caperton Morton.

Down to Earth With: Yosemite's first park geologist Greg Stock

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:02:41 -0500

Stock and U.S. Geological Survey civil engineer Brian Collins download data to study how daily temperature variations affect granitic exfoliation prior to rockfalls. Credit: USGS/Valerie Zimmer.

A love of rock climbing led Yosemite National Park geologist Greg Stock, seen here on a cliff face at Glacier Point in Yosemite, into the field of geomorphology. Credit: Steven Bumgardner.

As a child growing up in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Greg Stock and his family took frequent trips to Yosemite National Park. One of his first memories is of hearing and seeing a giant rockfall tumble down the face of El Capitán. Today, Stock studies such rockfalls and how they impact safety in the area as the first park geologist employed at Yosemite.

Travels in Geology: Rocks and Climbing at Kentucky's Red River Gorge

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:11:13 -0500

A climber hangs from plate-like sandstone protrusions at the Pendergrass- Murray Recreational Preserve. Credit: Alex Mandrila.

One Friday last June, some friends and I drove five hours from Ann Arbor, Mich., to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, a natural scenic area also called “the Red.” By the time we hit Dayton, Ohio, rain clacked against the car windows, and lightning flashed. We continued on, and at about 2 a.m., southeast of Lexington, Ky., we turned onto Highway 11, part of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. This 75-kilometer stretch along Highways 11, 715 and 77 loops visitors through the Red River Gorge Geological Area in Daniel Boone National Forest — which features more than 100 natural sandstone arches — as well as Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Clifty Wilderness.

Geomedia: Film: Banff Mountain Film Festival is geologic showcase

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:48:03 -0400

Poster for the Banff Mountain Film Festival short film "Delta Dawn." Credit: Pete McBride.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is a traveling collection of outdoor adventure films that feature the stories of climbers, alpine skiers, mountain bikers and other mountaineers, which are often set against geologically astounding backdrops.

Travels in Geology: Climbing Mount Shasta

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:41:58 -0500

Footprints leading to the West Face of Mount Shasta. boulab, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Unported

As we neared the top of the West Face of Mount Shasta, my calf muscles felt like they were pulling apart, stretching to the breaking point. My crampons merely dinted the shimmering snow, leaving dainty bird-like tracks. Roped behind our guides, our group of three climbers switchbacked slowly up the 35-degree-angle slopes. Approaching nearly 4,000 meters in elevation, my lungs grasped for air.