Bolting the Landscape: An Ethnography of Yosemite as a Significant Climbing Destination

<p>Yosemite Valley is a transformative landscape that helps to shape climbers’ identities and fosters a unique sense of community, which continually reinforces its status as a renowned and evolving climbing destination. The historical influence of Yosemite Valley on rock climbing began in the 1950s and has since defined itself as a prominent destination for climbers worldwide. This ethnographic research analyzes how climbers forge a meaningful connection with the Valley by forming a deep sense of place that intertwines with their personal identities as climbers and investigates the intricate relationship between climbers’ identities and the Yosemite landscape. This research also explores the social dynamics within the Yosemite climbing community, and how climbers validate and reinvent their identities through shared practices, rituals, and narratives. The findings of this research underscore the importance of recognizing the cultural and personal dimensions of climbing experiences in this iconic destination. By understanding the historical and cultural influences that have shaped Yosemite’s climbing heritage, this work provides insight into the broader context of rock climbing and its ever-evolving relationship with the natural environment, particularly within National Parks.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year

2023

Author dc:creator

• Taylor, Vanessa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bonnie Clark
• Christina Kreps

• Ahwahnechee
• Ahwahnee
• Climbing
• Heritage
• Spirituality
• Yosemite
• Anthropology
• Arts and Humanities
• Museum Studies
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Social and Cultural Anthropology

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

English (eng)

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2360

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-3352