Peter Edward Gibbs oral history audio recordings, 2006 October 11

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Gibbs, Peter Edward
Title
Peter Edward Gibbs oral history audio recordings
Dates
2006 October 11 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 Audiocassette
Collection Number
A0922
Summary
The Peter Edward Gibbs oral history audio recordings (2006) consists of an interview with Gibbs, who discusses his life experiences pertaining to climbing, caving, skiing, kayaking, and running rivers. A doctor of mechanical engineering, Gibbs is also an avid outdoorsman and was instrumental in the development of the Gibbs Ascender, an aid for climbers, spelunkers, arborists and rescue workers.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. Five business days advanced notice required. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Peter Edward Gibbs (b. 1943) was born on October 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from the University of Utah with a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in mechanical engineering in 1971. As a young man he and his brother, Chalrles, developed Gibbs Ascender, the mechanical replacement for the prussik knot and an aid for climbers, spelunkers, arborists and rescue workers. An outdoor enthusiast, Gibbs has acquired vast knowledge of recreational sports and their histories through his adventures in climbing, caving, sea kayaking, ski touring, and forty years of commercial river running. He is the author of Off Track In Colombia: A Tale of Action, Adventure, and Passion.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Peter Edward Gibbs oral history audio recordings (2006) consists of an interview with Gibbs, who discusses his life experiences pertaining to climbing, caving, skiing, kayaking, and running rivers.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

A Gibbs Ascender is also available to view in Special Collections.

Processing Note

Processed by Elizabeth Shuput in 2007.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
cassette
1 Peter Edward Gibbs

Audiocassette
Gibbs recalls hiking in the Uintah Mountains as a child in the 1950s with Boy Scout Troop 186: "Through my high school years I did an awful lot of hiking, mostly, and no serious climbing. By the time I got into college, I got hooked up with the Ute Alpine Club and with the Salt Lake Grotto." As he got older, Gibbs took up climbing with his close friend, George Lowe. He recalls climbing adventures with and others such as Karl Dunn, Eric Eliason, Ed Hicketa, and Bego (George) Gerhart. Gibbs discusses graduating from the University of Utah with a PhD in mechanical engineering and developing the Gibbs Ascender as well as his adventures caving, sea kayaking, ski touring, working as a river guide, and participating in other outdoor sports. His first ascents include: The Twin Brothers, the first free ascent of the Bong Eater, Mexican Crack, the S-Matrix II, the original start to Gordon's Hangover, Gordon's Hangover, Gordon's Direct, and Frozen Stool.
11 October 2007

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Caving
  • Rivers--Recreational use
  • Rock climbing--West (U.S.)--History

Form or Genre Terms

  • Sound recordings