Nearing his sixth decade as a dedicated climber, William "Bill" Katra describes himself as "not a great climber, but a persistent one." In his memoir, the author details his climbs in vivid detail, describing some of the world's most popular routes while emphasizing that scenic beauty is as important to a hike as technical difficulty. From his early partner-belayed adventures to his more recent unassisted solo "scamper-climbs," Bill's techniques have evolved, but his love for the experience remains steadfast. Within recent years, Bill has again summited a few climbs from his younger days, often reflecting on where senior climbers fit in the sport's changing social--and environmental--landscape. This memoir is a relatable and nostalgic account of a life well-spent in nature, as the author muses on his long-past adventures enriched and nurtured by the wisdom of the present.

The only English-language climbing guide available to Bolivia's mountains, this is also the first to cover all four of its ranges. Major and alternative routes on 37 peaks are thoroughly described and are accompanied by clear topographic maps and photographs. Includes a short history of climbing in Bolivia.

Mining investment in Peru has been presented as necessary for national progress; however, it also has brought socioenvironmental costs, left unfulfilled hopes for development, and has become a principal source of confrontation and conflict. Fighting for Andean Resources focuses on the competing agendas for mining benefits and the battles over their impact on proximate communities in the recent expansion of the Peruvian mining frontier. The book complements renewed scrutiny of how globalization nurtures not solely antagonism but also negotiation and participation. Having mastered an intimate knowledge of Peru, Vladimir R. Gil Ramón insightfully documents how social technologies of power are applied through social technical protocols of accountability invoked in defense of nature and vulnerable livelihoods. Although analyses point to improvements in human well-being, a political and technical debate has yet to occur in practice that would define what such improvements would be, the best way to achieve and measure them, and how to integrate dimensions such as sustainability and equity. Many confrontations stem from frustrated expectations, environmental impacts, and the virtual absence of state apparatus in the locations where new projects emerged. This book presents a multifaceted perspective on the processes of representation, the strategies in conflicts and negotiations of development and nature management, and the underlying political actions in sites affected by mining.

From hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes to oil spills and nuclear accidents, natural and technological disasters have become increasingly frequent and destructive across the planet. This ground-breaking collection of essays explores how various cultures in different historical moments have responded to calamity, offering new insights into the comp

Global climate change has triggered profound changes at the ground level and for real people. This book illustrates in vivid detail how 25,000 Peruvian residents died from melting Andean glaciers. Successful engineering efforts to prevent additional catastrophes simultaneously helped commodify glaciers, erode local authority, and unleash contested modernization agendas in the Andes.

'The Andes - A Guide for Climbers' is the only comprehensive guidebook about the peaks of the Andes. This is the 5th English edition of the only complete guidebook to the peaks of the Andes. It covers many areas not described in any other source. Previous editions have been translated into French, Spanish, Polish and Czech. The author, John Biggar, is a very experienced high-altitude mountaineer who has been climbing and skiing in the Andes for 30 years and has made ascents of over 350 peaks higher than 5000m. The 5th edition includes route information for all 100 of the major 6000m mountains, plus over 300 other peaks. With over 200 diagrams, 270 photos and 80 maps it also gives the best ski-mountaineering peaks in over 10 areas across 5 countries. Because an unforgettable journey starts with a thorough preparation, find out everything you need to know about climbing and skiing the Andes in this guide ! ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Biggar is a professional mountaineering instructor based in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. His first publication was an internal report for the nuclear physics department at Edinburgh University, entitled "Anisotropies in the Sequential Break-up of Li6". Since those days John has done little nuclear physics but has been climbing and ski-mountaineering in the Andes a lot. He has climbed many of the highest peaks, including 19 of the 20 highest, made over 100 ascents of 6000m peaks, plus 180 ascents of Andean 5000m peaks. He has made first ascents of six 6000m peaks and also made the first ski descent of Domuyo, the highest peak in Patagonia. A professional mountaineering instructor, he runs a business which specialises in mountaineering, skiing and ski-mountaineering expeditions to South America.