Above the Bush

ABOVE THE BUSH was written to commemorate the centenary of the Alpine Club of Canada's Vancouver Island Section from 1912 to 2012. This book contains transcripts of journal entries, diaries and newspaper accounts of early ascents of some of the most prominent mountains on Vancouver Island. In addition, Lindsay Elms has written about the rich, and sometimes forgotten, climbing history of many important mountains to the climbing community: the Mackenzie Range, Nine Peaks, Mariner Mountain, Rambler Peak, Mount Cobb, Conuma Peak, Victoria Peak and more. It recognizes the depth and breadth of the unique breed of climbers found on Vancouver Island - those willing to persevere with the primeval vegetation to get to the wonderful alpine playground above the bush.

Written by Lindsay Elms
Foreword by David Anderson P.C., O.C.
Minister of Environment 1999 - 2004

Misthorn Press 2012
ISBN: 9780968015919

6 x 9 - 176 pages - Soft Cover
51 - B & W Photos
$25 (plus 5% GST)

Praise for Above the Bush

This book is a fine tribute to 100 years of exploration and mountain adventure on Vancouver Island.
Chic Scott, author of Pushing the Limits.

In Above The bush, Lindsay Elms has amassed an outstanding collection of information on the history of mountaineering on Vancouver Island, a saga of which he was an integral part. He furthermore manages to tie this in with data from the early exploration of the Island itself. His accounts include several early climbs of which I had no record when compiling the first guidebooks to the Coastal Mountains. This book will make an interesting aspect of the region's history accessible to the outdooring public.
Dick Culbert, author of Alpine Guide to South Western British Columbia.

Lindsay Elms has done it again. With a unique combination of Island history and modern mountaineering knowledge, he has produced a book with voices from past explorers to present climbers - which Lindsay himself represents.
Gil Parker, author of Aware of the Mountains and Coast Mountain Men.

Above The Bush is an excellent follow-up to Lindsay's previous book, Beyond Nootka. With more historical context and detail, this valuable and fascinating compendium of first and notable ascents of Vancouver Island mountains is a must-have for all ramblers and mountaineers exploring our remote peaks and ridges.
Gareth Wood, author of South Pole: 900 Miles on Foot.

Beyond Nootka

BEYOND NOOTKA is a comprehensive history of the mountain regions of Vancouver Island. It recounts the tales of the early explorers, prospectors, surveyors and mountaineers as they pushed into ever more remote regions of Vancouver Island. It includes interviews with mountain pioneers which reveal several surprises. The first chapter covers the period 1579 - 1892. It begins with the possible sighting of Vancouver Island by Sir Francis Drake to contact with the First Nations people by the Spanish and then the British. This is followed by the exploration of the island by Hamilton Moffat, Adam Horne, Joseph Pemberton, Robert Brown and John Buttle. The second chapter covers the period 1894 - 1910. This is the expeditions of Rev. William Bolton and the Crown Mountain Exploring Expedition of 1910. The next chapters cover six of the most significant mountains on Vancouver Island: The Golden Hinde, Elkhorn Mountain, Mount Colonel Foster, Big Interior Mountain, Mount Arrowsmith and Rugged Mountain. And finally the contribution by surveyors to the exploring and mapping of the mountain regions. The major themes of climbing on Vancouver Island have been covered - from its struggles and disappointments to its sense of camaraderie, triumph and humour.

Written by Lindsay Elms
Introduction by Sandy Briggs PhD.
Chemistry Professor and Arctic Explorer

Misthorn Press 1996
ISBN: 0968015905

8.5 x 11 - 160 pages - Soft Cover
72 - B & W and Colour Photos
$25 (plus 5% GST) regular price $32.50