Urban climbing, 1930s style
The Night Climbers of Cambridge was first published in October 1937. Authored under the pseudonym Whipplesnaith it recounts the courageous (or foolhardy) nocturnal exploits of a group of students climbing the ancient university and town buildings of Cambridge. These daring stegophilic feats were recorded with prehistoric photographic paraphernalia carried aloft over battlements, up chimneys and down drain-pipes. The climbers all this while trying, with mixed results, to avoid detection by the 'Minions of Authority': university proctors, Bulldogs and, of course, the local 'Roberts' (police).
The result is a fascinating, humorous and, at times, adrenalin-inducing adventure providing a rare glimpse into a side of Cambridge that has always been shrouded in darkness. The tradition, known now as urban climbing, buildering, structuring or stegophily is followed all over the world.
This edition features the complete text and over seventy digitally re-mastered images, half of which have been reproduced from the original negatives.
Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Free Climbing - this book has, over the last 80 years, inspired many to take up these and other extreme sports.
The Night Climbers of Cambridge was first published in October 1937. Authored under the pseudonym Whipplesnaith it recounts the courageous (or foolhardy) nocturnal exploits of a group of students climbing the ancient university and town buildings of Cambridge. These daring stegophilic feats were recorded with prehistoric photographic paraphernalia carried aloft over battlements, up chimneys and down drain-pipes. The climbers all this while trying, with mixed results, to avoid detection by the 'Minions of Authority': university proctors, Bulldogs and, of course, the local 'Roberts' (police).
The result is a fascinating, humorous and, at times, adrenalin-inducing adventure providing a rare glimpse into a side of Cambridge that has always been shrouded in darkness. The tradition, known now as urban climbing, buildering, structuring or stegophily is followed all over the world.
This edition features the complete text and over seventy digitally re-mastered images, half of which have been reproduced from the original negatives.
Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Free Climbing - this book has, over the last 80 years, inspired many to take up these and other extreme sports.