For all you Montana rock climbers out there, Kevin Hutchinson has released a new climbing guide to Paradise Valley. Given the fact that there are no recent or comprehensive guides at all for the Bozeman area this is a welcome addition to my library. I got the opportunity to meet Kevin a few weeks back and he is an extremely nice guy and I know he has worked very hard putting this guide together. He has been compiling this guide for more than 10 years, and he personally established a vast majority of the routes you will find contained within. He has done a great job, with full route descriptions, pictures, and even a little comedy sprinkled in for good measure. I really like some of the great route names Kevin chooses. Some of my personal favorites are from the Training Ground area with route names like “Sebulba”, “Lando’s”, and “You Seek Yoda.” Anyone that themes an entire area using Star Wars as inspiration is okay in my book!
You can find a copy locally here in Bozeman, and I know they have them over at Barrel Mountaineering. Please support Kevin and his family by purchasing a copy for your next Montana climbing outing!
Wow,
For ten years of compilation this guide is quite pathetic. 80% of the pictures are out of focus and the text could have used a once-over by an editor of some sort as there are numerous misspelling and hard to understand descriptions. I was happy to have some beta about areas south of Livingston but after spending sixteen dollars on this book, I wish I would have just taken a good hard look at it in the store and tried to remember what I had seen.
Josè
I agree with some of your thoughts. I actually worked with Kevin (the company I work for did the printing of the guide) to get the files into a press ready format. After we got it printed, I was able to spend more time going through the details, and I have to agree that a second pass over by an editor would have a been a great thing. Personally I think that most of the pictures are great, but yes there are a few that could have been better. Kevin spent 10 plus years establishing and climbing these routes not making the guide by the way.
All in all I think it is way better than the guide that I didn’t have before this came out.
It is too bad that some people are disappointed by the guide that I self-published. For the resources that I had to work with, I was quite satisfied with the end result, as was every LOCAL climber that I have talked to. This publication is not a novel or emotionless professional job to fill book racks. The intent is to get climbers out there and experience what climbing is all about–adventure and discovery. Perhaps the people that diss the guide should spend thirty dollars for an ice guide with few NEW Montana routes and looks great on the coffee table but can’t be used in the field (GUIDE-remember). Or perhaps buy a Bozeman guide and stay on that side of the hill. Oh, wait the Bozeman guide is still in rumour stage, despite the talent and resources to put it all together. Sure, one will come out eventually, and I am sure that it will look great on the coffee table with its ice guide brother.If you buy my guide and climb in Paradise Valley after its purchase, my end of the bargain has held up. Quit whining, go climbing.
Agreed… As I said in my original post I’m stoked to have this guide, and you did a great job Kevin! I’m very happy with your work, as it is way better than the guide I didn’t have before.
I was disappointed that the first response to my attempt at a little online PR for you was a negative one but at least he bought the guide. Maybe he will come to terms with the plain and simple fact that this is the only REAL guide book for any climbing in the Bozeman area. Personally, I have sent about half a dozen folks to Barrel to pick-up your guide (all local climbers) and all have been very happy with your work
On a more positive note, Jami and I were going to head out to Yankee Jim and spend some time at the Training Ground this weekend, but it was smoking hot in Bozeman this weekend, and we figured we would wait a bit until the heat subsides a bit. Kudos again Kevin, great work!