The First Winter Ascent of the Finger of Fate by Jacques Bordeleau

Detail summit photo, First Winter Ascent, March 19, 1973. L to R > James Christopher Hecht, Harry Bowren, Gordon K. Williams, Joe Fox.

The first winter ascent of the Finger of Fate was made on March 19, 1973 by James Christopher Hecht, Harry Bowron, Gordon K. Williams and Joe Fox. I was part of the support team which also included Art Troutner and John Platt. I took the color photos. I developed the black and white photos that were shot by the ascent … Continue reading

Off Belay Magazine —The Sawtooth Issue 1975

Off Belay Magazine was THE climbing magazine of its day. The following articles contained the most extensive discussion of the Sawtooth Range yet published in 1975. Special thanks to Ray Brooks for providing the scans. (Click on the scans to enlarge) … Continue reading

1938 Account of a Mount Borah Ascent

The following article was published in the Salt Lake Tribune.  Tribune Intermountain Service. September 25, 1938 TWIN FALLS, Idaho—Climbing Mount Borah, Idaho’s highest peak, is like walking a tight rope for at least a quarter of a mile with nothing underneath you on either side and only loose rock shale in the middle. That is the warning issued by Walter … Continue reading

Iowa Mountaineers

Photo courtesy of the Iowamountaineers.blogspot.

The Iowa Mountaineers climbing club was a major player in the in early Sawtooth Range exploration. The club was founded by John and Ede Ebert in 1940, as the University of Iowa Mountaineering Club. The club later incorporated as a not-for-profit Iowa corporation and became a major force in sponsoring climber education and expeditions throughout the world. Schwartz Pinnacle, Harriets … Continue reading

Robert Limbert (1885-1933)

Self Portrait, Robert Limbert (Courtesy Robert Limbert Collection, Boise State University Library.)

“Two Gun” Robert Limbert is probably the most interesting personality associated with Idaho Climbing History. You can read about his climbing-related accomplishments on Pages 15-16 of the book. His accomplishments and interests extended far beyond mountaineering. Robert developed Redfish Lodge and he is credited as the moving force behind the establishment of Craters of the Moon National Monument. In fact, … Continue reading

Robert Underhill (1889-1983)

Acknowledgment: from Wikipedia which secured the photo from Glen Dawson. Who kindly agreed to make those photos from his private collection publicly available. If you use or copy any of the pictures, please quote the source as "From Glen Dawson Collection".

Robert Underhill and his wife Miriam were outstanding alpinists. They are credited with bringing modern climbing techniques to the Sawtooth Range. During 1934 and 1935, the couple made many first ascents in the Sawtooths. You can read about their Idaho exploits on Pages 17-18 of the book. Other Resources Robert Lindley Murray Underhill (1889-1983) in Memoriam, American Alpine Journal, 1984 These article … Continue reading