Guest column: Special Collections, OPDD help students meet their heroes
With the return back to campus, students and faculty from Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) and Outdoor Recreation (OR) met to introduce the new semester and the opening of the Outdoor Archive exhibit located on the main floor of the Merrill-Cazier Library. Special guest, and legendary climber, Conrad Anker was invited to deliver a special lecture for the event. Conrad Anker is one of the most influential rock climber/mountaineers of our time from setting first ascents up Patagonia’s three towers of the Cerro Torre Massif to holding the title of team captain for The North Face Climbing Team.
Conrad’s presentation took a look into his childhood, playing around the granite canyons of California which aided him in building moxy. It felt like more of a sport that was waged against oneself then a sport like football that was just full of bullies, Conrad remarked. As Conrad grew in confidence he began planning trips to Yosemite and Alaska determined to grow his new found love.
Some of Anker’s most documented trips were to the Himalayas and his work for many years in the camps of Mount Everest helping visiting climbers get settled into basecamp. His primary job was to provide fuel and equipment. It was in 1999 that he set out to find the body of George Mallory, one of the first recorded ascenders of Mount Everest who lost his life on the climb in 1924. The story was co-written into a book by Conrad Anker and David Roberts called “The Lost Explorer, Finding Mallory on Mount Everest”
Anker brought many behind the scenes photos of the several excursions transporting attendees not only into the gorgeous landscapes but the fashion and gear of the time. Conrad spoke about the climbers preference for pink lycra in their clothes in contrast to today’s most common North Face brand colors of red and yellow. Colored jackets and pants were used to help identify and create bold statements upon the cliffs. Design notes could be found in every photo shown, which helped to inspire designers of the future.
After the presentation was finished the students and guests were invited to a quick ice cream social and a tour of the Outdoor Archive which is currently located on the main floor of the library. The Archive display features gear, old and new, and the histories behind why our outdoor gear is made the way it is today. Utah State University has one of the largest collections of catalogs and donated works from the Outdoor Industry in the country. The Special Collections department is located on the basement level of the library and features pieces dating back to the 19th century and beyond.
Many thanks to Clint Pumphrey of Special Collections and Chase Anderson of the OPDD department for their work with the Outdoor Products Archive and the work they do in setting up events like this one for our students to meet their heroes.
William Mitchell is a sophomore in the outdoor product design and development major and has been attending university alongside his wife, Lily, who is a painting major. Apart from studies, Will spends his time walking his dog, Maggie, up Logan Canyon and finding old sewing machines to repair.
— woebegonewill@gmail.com
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