History

Question
What is the history of the sport in Yosemite?
What ares ome equipments and gear and rock features in Yosemite?
How did "etiquettes" of climbing improve to preserve natural features and respect for other climbers?

Answer
Daisey, your question is vast and quite interesting.  The history of climbing in Yosemite goes back to John Muir. Technical climbing to John Salathe in the 30's and 40's and to Royal Robbing, Warren Harding, Yvon Chouinard, John Long, in the 60's and 70's and Ron Kauk, John Bachar and others in the 80's and a whole new batch in the late 90's and 2000's.

Gear inlcudes, Ropes, Pitons, Bolts, Hexcentrics, Cams, stoppers, Jumars, Carribiners, Aiders, Hooks, and on and on. The list is endless.

Climbing has changed through technology where once Pitons were hammered into the crack now Cams or other "clean" gear is places and removed without leaving a trace.  This preserves the rock.

As far as the history goes I would suggest checking out a few books.  Go to Amazon and search Steve Roper, Galen Rowell and Yosemite Rockclimbing and you willget tons. Also go to www.supertopo.com and email Chris MacNamara. He is a tope climber and history maker.

Jeff