Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Oral History Collection |
Catalog Number |
2014.017.018 |
Object Name |
Videodisc, Digital |
Scope & Content |
International alpine climber and writer/author Kelly Cordes shares his overwhelming passion and devotion to climbing. After serving as a guide for CMS, Kelly transitioned into freelance writing, was a Senior Editor for the American Alpine Journal and has just completed his first book which is centered on Cerro Torre Peak in Patagonia. Kelly has the distinguished position of serving as an Ambassador for the Patagonia gear company which involves the development and testing of climbing related products. Alpine climbing in Alaska, Patagonia and Pakistan is highlighted in the interview. Kelly describes what he calls "the chase" which is his quest to find and climb rarely forming ice formations in RMNP. The first assent of an ephemeral ice route called "Crazy Train" with climbing partner Topher Donahue is highlighted. He also details training activities called linkups which he uses as a training exercise in preparation for major climbs such as the 7,000' vertical face of Trango Tower in Pakistan. Linkups involve quickly doing a series of climbs including perhaps as many as 40 different pitches in an area such as the major routes on Lumpy Ridge. Kelly describes one 23 hour linkup training experience in RMNP which covered 25 horizontal miles with countless thousands of feet of vertical technical climbing. This interview is a special look into a climbers love and appreciation for the mountains and climbs in the Estes Park area. |
Narrator's name |
Cordes, Kelly |
Interview date |
2014-02-18 |
Interviewer |
Mittelman, Alicia |
Interview place |
Cordes' home, Estes Park, Colorado |
Caption |
Kelly Cordes Oral History Interview |
Length of Interview |
1:06:17 |
Recording media |
Digital recording |
Search Terms |
Rocky Mountain National Park Lumpy Ridge Patagonia Pakistan climbing |
Subjects |
Rock climbing Mountaineering Adventure Rocky Mountain National Park Route development |
Transcript location |
Digital file |
People |
Armstrong, Brent Beckwith, Christian Bicknell, John Caldwell, Tommy Copp, Johnny Cordes, Kelly Daley, Malcom DeCapio, Scott Donahue, Topher Ferguson, Duncan Lowe, Jeff Mittelman, Alicia Wharton, Josh |
Custom Field 22 |
Kelly Cordes Oral History Transcript |
Transcriptionist |
Williams, Tom |
Updated |
2023-01-31 |
Date |
February 18, 2014 |