THE ULTIMATE CANADIAN ROCKIES LIBRARY

GUIDE
Written By Dee Larosa

By Tera Swanson • Brought to you by Rocky Mountain Books

Guidebook, handbook, history, photography: the canon of Canadian Rockies literature is vast – just like the mountain range that has inspired it. And while no list is ever quite complete, we’ve curated a selection of mountain literature that belongs on the bookshelves of every Rockies enthusiast.

Mountain dwellers enjoy hanging off frozen waterfalls and scrambling along alpine ridgelines, but we also carve out time to rest, retreat and read in the comforts of home. There we discover stories that inspire us to reach new heights, prepare us to do so safely, and educate us on our surroundings and those who blazed the trail before us.

Which books are in your own library? Missing a few? If you’re looking to fill in some gaps, we recommend you check out your local library or support independent booksellers with your purchases. If you still can’t find them, use the links below to find a copy online!

Would you add any to the list? Use the comments below to let us know!

HISTORY – EARLY EXPLORERS

The Canadian Rockies have piqued our curiosities for centuries. Reading the words of the first explorers gives us insight into the way of thinking of the time, and also how they resonate with our own timeless ambitions and passions.

HISTORY – MODERN HISTORIANS

Part analysts and part narrators, the historians of our time have a gift of documenting events of eras past. Through the telling stories of Rockies heritage in compelling ways, they unscramble history and provide a more coherent picture for today’s readers. 

ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS

Not quite books and not quite magazines either, some Rockies-based publications deserve a category all on their own. Publishing as annual volumes, these two provide fresh perspectives and a diversity of voices while chronicling mountain culture and climbing in unique ways.

CONTEMPORARY + CONSERVATION

These works dig deeper into the interweaving issues and modern mindsets that make up the fabric of Canadian Rockies mountain culture. Discover what lies beneath the surface of our mountain experiences, and how it may alter our paths moving forward. 

INDIGENOUS

The stories of First Nations and Metis people as they relate to Canadian Rockies history are rich, complex and, oftentimes, tumultuous. This selection offers a starting point for developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous history, culture and contemporary issues.

Thanks to the hard work of these guidebook authors we have an incredible amount of information at our fingertips. These guidebooks are our backcountry blueprints, making them essential and trusted additions to any adventurer’s backpack.

HANDBOOKS AND MOUNTAIN SAFETY

Reference books act like the recipes that compile a cookbook. They tell us the what and how so that we can enrich out mountain experience. These handbooks serve up the skills to make you a trusted partner in the mountains, provide information to help you interpret your surroundings, and build the foundation to keep yourself (and others) safe.

When it comes to both reading and the outdoors, it’s never too early to start. These children’s books will sow the first seeds of intrigue for the mountains, and help develop an early understanding of why they are so special.

As we discover the world around us, there are often few words for the magnitude of our appreciation. But the beauty that graces these pages comes close to capturing it. See the world of the Rockies through the lenses and perspectives of artists.

FICTION

Inspired by real-life influences, history and geographical places, fiction books also abound in the Rocky Mountains. Though fictional they allow us to examine truths and see the mountain environment in new ways.

 

This article contains affiliate links. By clicking on them and making a purchase, Wildly Supply Co. will receive a small commission. Thank you for helping us keep our creative juices flowing!

Tera Swanson is a freelance writer and graduate from Mount Royal University’s Journalism undergraduate program. Whether laced into hiking boots or clipped into skis, her favourite way to explore the mountains is on her own two feet. She’s always up for anything that will end in the telling of a good story; be it through photography, from pen to paper, or over a locally brewed amber ale.

Dee Larosa
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