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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
David Maren
Marketing Director
The American Alpine Club
303.384.0110 x18
dmaren@americanalpineclub.org
Pictures from Space: the Final Photos from Washburn's Expedition Camera
A Presentation by Astronaut John Grunsfeld, “The Hubble Repairman”
September 30, 2009
American Mountaineering Center
710 10th Street, Golden, CO
VIP Reception:
6:00pm-7:15pm
$35 for AAC members and
Friends of the Library/Museum
$50 for non-members
Includes admission to the presentation,
appetizers and drinks
RSVP by September 25 to Dana Richardson
drichardson@americanalpineclub.org
303-384-0110 x10
Presentation:
7:30pm-9:00pm
$5 for AAC members/$10 for non-members
Seating is first-come, first served
In Ansel Adam!s preface to Mount McKinley: the Conquest of Denali, the great photographer
wrote, “Without exaggeration, I fully expect to hear someday that Brad has visited the moon,
climbed Copernicus, and photographed the lunar Apennines from a private, orbiting module.”
While Bradford Washburn didn!t make it to space, we!re happy to say that his expedition camera
did. Last May, as a crew of NASA astronauts completed the final repairs and enhancements to
the Hubble, astronaut John Grunsfeld brought along a much smaller, older camera. Grunsfeld,
an avid climber, snapped the final photos that will ever be taken with the late-Washburn!s
famous expedition camera, a 1929 Zeiss Maximar B 4x5.
On September 30, Grunsfeld will return the camera to the American Alpine Club, to be displayed
in the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum. He will also talk about the
mission and present the photographs he took from space, which will be displayed alongside a
collection of Washburn!s personal favorites. We suspect that Earth!s mountains will look smaller
in the photos from space, but no less spectacular. Come see for yourself!
A limited number of autographed prints are expected to be available, free of charge.
Background information: Washburn was one of the leading American mountaineers in the
1920s through the 1950s, putting up first ascents and new routes on many major Alaskan peaks
(often with his wife, Barbara, who attended the shuttle launch). Washburn pioneered the use of
aerial photography in the analysis of mountains and in planning mountaineering expeditions. His
thousands of striking black-and-white photos, mostly of Alaskan peaks and glaciers, are known
for their wealth of informative detail and their artistry. Washburn was responsible for some of the
finest maps ever made of mountain regions; his maps of Denali and Mount Everest are perhaps
the most notable. He founded and served as Honorary Director of the Boston Museum of
Science.
In 2008 the Colorado-based Mountaineering Museum named in his honor opened to the public.
The historic building that houses the museum is also home to the American Alpine Club!s
library, where Washburn!s signed personal collection of over 150 of his favorite photographs
reside on permanent loan. Through November, a select number are displayed in the museum.
Washburn was a long-time member of the American Alpine Club, and so too is Grunsfeld. When
the astronaut asked the AAC about bringing something special belonging to the club into space,
a staff member, Jason Manke, suggested Washburn's camera. Executive Director, Phil Powers
(who in 1988 made the first ascent Denali's Washburn Face), thought it to be a fitting
recommendation. After all, In 1951 Washburn made the first ascent of Denali!s West Buttress.
53 years later, Grunsfeld reached the summit with a small team of NASA climbers. Taking
Washburn!s camera into space for its final shots was an opportunity for Grunsfeld to honor the
man whose photos greatly inspired him, guiding his way to the summit of North America!s
highest mountain, and beyond. During a pre-mission NPR interview Grunsfeld said, “ Brad lived
just a tremendous life. He is one of my heroes and during the 1920s did just a fantastic number
of tremendous climbs all over. As part of that he started pioneering the use of cameras from
airplanes. I definitely plan to take some pictures of Hubble with the Zeiss camera but also of
mountains which I know Brad would appreciate.”
About the American Alpine Club: The AAC is a unique community of climbers who have
banded together to support and inspire one another while protecting the pursuit they love. The
AAC is perhaps best known for publishing the world!s most sought after annual climbing
publication, the American Alpine Journal. Learn about additional programs and become a
member at www.AmericanAlpineClub.org.
