Sacred Summits

Revered throughout America as 'Father of the National Parks', John Muir's reputation as a conservationist has overshadowed his record as a climber and mountaineer. In the 1870s Muir scaled dozens of remote peaks and achieved first ascents of Mt Ritter and Mt Whitney - years before mountaineering existed as a sport in Scotland or America. He climbed alone, without ropes, crampons or specialist clothing, discovering every technique for himself through trial and error. Sacred Summits celebrates Muir the climber and explorer, casting new light on this great Scottish-American. His epic climbs and summit experiences, recorded in these glowing accounts, stand comparison with those of any mountain writer.