Above the Snow Line: Mountaineering Sketches Between 1870 and 1880

"Above the Snow Line: Mountaineering Sketches Between 1870 and 1880" by C. T. (Clinton Thomas) Dent is a compilation of firsthand accounts that capture the spirit of mountaineering in the late 1800s. The collection illustrates the hardships and triumphs of scaling mountains during a time when the sport was becoming more well-known, along with the bonds formed between climbers and how mountaineering was changing. Early on, Dent tells about a trip to the Saas Valley in 1870, highlighting the intense heat and the close relationships built among the climbers. He shares his group's goal to climb the Balfrinhorn, mentioning the quirks of life in the Alps and the excitement of climbing when it was less commercialized. With both humor and fondness, he considers the simple climbing techniques of the past and the effects of more and more climbers coming to the Alps seeking adventure. This beginning hints at the deeper meanings in Dent's stories, setting the stage for a thoughtful examination of the physical challenges and individual development found in mountain climbing.