No.497 Brian Smoot, 2007

File — Box: 62, Folder: 6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Smoot (b. 1960) recalls growing up in Salt Lake City, outdoor activities in scouting programs, and summers at the family cabin in Woodland, Utah. He and his brother hiked regularly in the Wasatch mountains and began climbing on a small crag found on one of their hikes. Although self-trained, they took climbing very seriously and were able to climb both Half Dome and El Cap in Yosemite National Park when they were 18 years old. Smoot talks about climbers he admired at Yosemite, including Royal Robbins, Tom Frost, Yvon Chouinard, Chuck Pratt, and Warren Harding. Local climbers he admired include the Lowes and Mark McQuarrie. Improvements in climbing technology discussed include cams, TCUs, FriXions, Five Ten shoes, ice axes, and the express ice screw. He also talks about climbing ethics and environmental issues.
Outdoor Recreation Project.
Interviewer: Erik Solberg

Dates

2007

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.