Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Bob and Ira Spring films, approximately 1953-1961
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Bob and Ira Spring films
- Dates
- approximately
1953-1961 (inclusive)19531961
- Quantity
-
1 folder : Text
18 reels (7,291 feet) of film : silent/sound, color/black and white ; 8mm and 16mm - Collection Number
- PH1048
- Summary
- Films created by Seattle photographers Bob and Ira Spring related to hiking, skiing and traveling throughout Washington State, and films created for the Mountain Rescue Council. One reel of film shows traditional style boats in a harbor on Leyte Island of the Philippines
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Viewing copies are available for public use.
The original reels and duplicating masters are not accessible due to preservation concerns.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mountaineers Foundation and the Mountain Rescue Council
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Bob and Ira Spring were twins born in Olympia, Washington on December 24, 1918 to Elliot Beebe Spring, an accountant, and Allena Loomis Spring, a teacher. The Spring children, while growing up in Olympia and Shelton, Washington, engaged in outdoor activities with their parents from a young age. In 1929 their father took them on their first overnight trip to High Divide in the Olympic Mountains and they both became passionate about hiking and mountains. The twins acquired their first cameras in 1930 through the Kodak Camera Company's 50th anniversary promotional giveaway of a camera and a roll of film to any child twelve years old that year (born in 1918). They roamed the trails exploring and taking photographs. Ira worked summers of 1937-1941 for the Rainier National Park Company in the Paradise Inn and managing the photo shop.
During World War II, Bob served in Africa, Italy and Germany with an army field hospital as an x-ray technician. He took personal photographs of occupied and liberated Europe. Some of these photographs were later donated to the Holocaust Museum in Melbourne, Australia. Ira served in the South Pacific as a ground photographer with the Army Air Corps, taking photographs from open bomb bays with crew members holding on to his legs.
After their discharge from the army at the end of World War II, Bob and Ira Spring set up a photography business in Seattle. The Seattle Times commissioned photographic spreads from the brothers for the Sunday edition rotogravure section. Their first assignment was to photograph the Mountaineers 1946 summer outing hiking the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier. In the 1950s, the Springs began to publish travel books featuring their photography of climbing and exploration of the Pacific Northwest. By 1967, the brothers decided to take on separate freelance jobs, but they continued to use the Bob and Ira Spring credit line for their solo works. Bob and his wife Norma concentrated their work on Alaska, producing several books on the people, wildlife, and the land. Members of the Society of American Travel Writers, they spoke and wrote about international travel as a means of promoting understanding and peaceful relationships between countries. They worked with Alaska Airlines to develop charter flights to the USSR during the Cold War. A significant part of Ira's career was his photography for the Mountaineers publications, which included the famous "100 Hikes" series guidebooks for particular regions in the Pacific Northwest. The books were very popular and even led to some overcrowding on the trails featured in the books after publication. Ira was an activist for protecting trails and access to the wilderness and became a founding member of the Washington Trails Association. He also served on the board of the Mountaineers and REI. Bob and Ira were three-time recipients of the Governor's Literary Award and in 1992 Ira received the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award for his work in trails and conservation.
Best known for their photographs, Bob and Ira also made films. These covered such diverse subjects as promotion of tourism in Washington State, advertising, climbing in the Cascades, instructional films on climbing and mountain rescue made for The Mountaineers, and home movies of Ira's family and his trip back to the South Pacific in the late 1950's.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Films of scenery and outdoor activities such as backpacking, hiking, climbing and skiing, in the Pacific Northwest. They also made mountain rescue instruction films for the Mountain Rescue Council. There are additional films related to their time in the Phillippines.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Titles of films are italicized when they are used as a title in the film. Unitalicized titles have been derived from notes on film cans, the film leaders, or as descriptions of film content.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital versions of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the Special Collections division of the University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Custodial History
The films were originally in the custody of The Mountaineers History Committee.
Acquisition Information
Donor: The Mountaineers, 2011
Processing Note
Processed by Sarah Freeman, Jonathan King, Sheila Mitchell, Hannah Palin, Jaki Parsons, and Susan Fitch, 2012-2014
Films were transferred from PH Coll 1047, The Mountaineers Film Collection, 2015.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Bob and Ira Spring Film CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Versions of Ira Spring family backpacking in Cascade
Pass Three films. Item 2 includes footage that does not appear in
item 1.The Ira Spring family (Ira, his wife Pat and their children John
and Vicky) backpack to Cascade Pass. The family loads backpacks around a
station wagon, hikes, plays in streams, sets up camp, cooks, cares for the
baby, bathes in a pool and John sleds in a dishpan down a snowfield.
|
circa 1953 | ||
viewcopy | item | ||
VC280 | 1 |
Ira Spring family backpacking in Cascade
Pass Original1 film reel (650 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M1]
The content of this reel is the same as Item 2, except it does
not include footage of the family in an ice cave.
|
circa 1953 |
VC281 | 2 |
Ira Spring family backpacking, Cascade
Pass Original1 film reel (440 feet) : print, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M02]
The content of this reel is the same as Item 1, with
additional footage of the family in an ice cave.
|
circa 1953 |
VC281 | 3 | Ira Spring family backpacking, Cascade
Pass Outtakes of the Ira Spring family backpacking.
Original1 film reel (100 feet) : print, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M2]
|
circa 1953 |
viewcopy | item | ||
VC282 | 4 |
Mountain Rescue Techniques A group including Ome Daiber simulates a mountain rescue and
demonstrates technical rescue technique, possibly on Mount Si. A man ties into
a climbing rope and leads the way up a cliff, placing pitons for safety.
Rescuers haul a litter up the cliff, assemble it, and lower an accident victim.
Rescuers rappel down the cliff and transport the victim to the cars.
Original1 film reel (400 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M3]
|
circa 1953 |
VC283 | 5 |
America's Last Frontier: The
Olympic Peninsula A promotional film for the Washington State Ferries, produced by
Criterion Films, featuring scenes of landscapes around the Olympic
Peninsula.Ira and Pat Spring and their children, John and Vicky, take a
trip around the Olympic Peninsula by ferry and automobile. They feed and pet
deer, ride on ferries across Hood Canal, cross the Agate Pass bridge. Scenes
include wildflowers, Poulsbo, the Chimacum Valley, Port Townsend, Port Angeles,
Hurricane Ridge, the Olympic Mountains, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc River and Hot
Springs Resort, the harbor at Seiku, Neah Bay, Cape Flattery, Tatoosh Island,
the Hoh Rainforest, the harbor at La Push, Lake Quinault Lodge, and Navy ships
at Bremerton.
Original1 film reel (500 feet) : print, sound, black and white ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M3]
|
circa 1954 |
VC284 | 6 |
Ice Climbing on Mt Rainier Narration describes the climb of Mt. Rainier, including safety
issues, climbing techniques and scenery along the route.Long distance view of Mount Rainier and close-ups of glaciers. A
group of climbers, probably Gary Rose, Dave Nicholson, and Joan and Carol
Marston, load their packs at Paradise. A National Park Service ranger inspects
their gear. The climbers explore ice caves by torchlight. They continue to Camp
Muir and set up tents. The afternoon is spent practicing with crampons, jumping
crevasses on belay, and exploring the Cowlitz Glacier. The climbers walk
through jumbled crevasses and chop steps up icy pinnacles. The climbers reach
the summit in the morning and prepare to camp in the crater. They melt snow
over steam vents before preparing supper.
Original1 film reel (500 feet) : print, sound, color ; 16mm [Duplicating
Master: 1048.M04]
|
circa 1954 |
Versions of Mountain Rescue Council safety film showing
helicopter rescue Ome Daiber speaks to a group gathered in the parking lot at
Stevens Pass. One group of rescuers starts up the mountain with packs and other
equipment. A Coast Guard helicopter arrives and some of the rescuers get on
board. The helicopter flies to a ridgeline and off-loads men and equipment
without touching down. Rescuers load an accident victim into a litter and lower
her from the ridge using a cable trolley. The helicopter picks up the litter
and flies down to the parking lot.Item 7 and Item 8 are primarily the same footage, though each
version contains scenes not included in the other.
|
|||
viewcopy | item | ||
VC285 | 7 |
Mountain Rescue Council safety film showing helicopter
rescue (Original) Original1 film reel (395 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M1Includes scenes of helicopter flight and pilot which do not
appear in Item 8.
|
circa 1954-1955 |
VC286 | 8 |
Mountain Rescue Council safety film showing helicopter
rescue (Print) Original1 film reel (395 feet) : print, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M5]Includes an additional scene in which a man is lifted into the
helicopter. This scene does not appear in item 7.
|
circa 1954-1955 |
viewcopy | item | ||
VC287 | 9 |
Skiing Above the Clouds Sponsored by Fisher Flour Mills' Zoom instant cereal.Four skiers, John Carter, Bob and Ira Spring, and Paul Wiseman,
plan a traverse from Paradise to the White River across the glaciers of Mount
Rainier. The group climbs to Camp Muir. They tour and ski among the crevasses
on the Emmons Glacier below the north face of Little Tahoma Peak. Later, the
skiers travel to a camp on the other side of the mountain. They explore scenic
crevasses, making delicate crossings on skis. Includes scenes of packing and
eating Zoom cereal.
Original1 film reel (550 feet) : print, sound, color ; 16mm [Duplicating
Color: 1048.M6]
|
circa 1954 |
VC288 | 10 | Ice rescue A silent, extended version of the crevasse rescue sequence in
Mountains Don't Care(Item 13), including more
detail of rescue equipment and techniques. A pair of roped climbers demonstrate
a crevasse fall and self-rescue using prussiks. Features Ome Daiber.
Original1 film reel (550 feet) : print, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M7]
|
circa 1955 |
VC289 | 11 |
Outtakes from Mountain Rescue films Outtakes from various mountain rescue films.A man sits on a hillside with a rifle, people climb on a glacier
while roped up, a man practices ice axe arrest. A man and a young woman
(probably Carol Marston) rock climb. A man demonstrates crossing a snowbridge
over a crevasse. People camp in tents in the mountains, look at topographical
maps, and hike on a ridge in the fog. View of a Mountain Rescue Council badge.
Men in a parking lot load rescue equipment. Hiking in the Paradise Meadows at
Mt. Rainier, dropping a bag on a line into a crevasse. A man rappels into the
crevasse, bringing another man down the trail in a litter. Ome Daiber explains
to the friend of the accident victim about proper equipment.
Original1 film reel (100 feet) : print, sound, color; 16mm [Duplicating
Master: 1048.M5]
|
circa 1956 |
VC290 | 12 |
Paradise Ice Caves tour A guided tour of the Paradise Ice Caves, beginning at the
Paradise guide house, where two women emerge and turn around to display the
backs of their coasting pants. A party hikes meadow trails across Edith Creek
and Myrtle Falls and through the Golden Gate area towards the Paradise Glacier.
They cross a snowfield to the cave entrance. Includes scenes photographed
inside the Ice Caves by torchlight. Afterward, the party enjoys coasting
(seated glissading in groups) on nearby snowfields.
Original1 film reel (200 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M10]
|
circa 1957 |
Mountains Don't Care |
|||
viewcopy | item | ||
VC291 | 13 |
Mountains Don't Care Description of mountaineering hazards. A man falls into a
crevasse on the Nisqually Glacier. A mountain rescue team responds to a summons
for help. One of the Whittaker twins (either Jim or Lou) is lowered into the
crevasse and the victim is hauled out on a litter. The litter is converted into
a Stokeski stretcher and the rescuers take the victim to safety.Demonstration of how to avoid mountaineering accidents, filmed
between Cascade Pass and Koolaid Lake. A young couple (Jack Cavanaugh and Carol
Marston Bogert) accompany experienced mountaineers Ome and Matie Daiber on a
multi-day trip in the North Cascades. Ome Daiber demonstrates making a fire in
wet conditions, route finding and climbing on snow. He talks the couple out of
attempting Mount Formidable and suggests an easier peak. They practice
self-arrest, use of crampons and belaying on rock.In the morning, Ome and Matie Daiber waddle around camp in
their Penguin sleeping bags preparing breakfast. The party begins the climb,
which requires roped climbing on rock, glacier travel, crevasse jumps and a
final scramble to the summit. Filmed on Sahale Arm, the Middle Cascade Glacier
and points in between. Ome leads the party back to camp by compass in the
fog.
Original1 film reel (800 feet) : print, sound, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M8].
A silent, extended version of the rescue sequence appears in
Item 10Ice Rescue.The film was photographed in the summer of 1956 and released
by the Mountain Rescue Council in 1957. This print was made in 1965.
|
1957 |
Folder | |||
1 | 13A | Brochures forMountains Don't
Care Advertising brochures for the Mountain Rescue Council's film
Mountains Don't Care.
|
circa 1957 |
viewcopy | item | ||
VC292 | 14 |
Artist Point ski tour and Paradise Ice Caves This film has two sections.Three hikers explore inside the Paradise Ice Caves.A backcountry ski tour to Artist Point near the Mt Baker ski
area. Scenes around the ski area, the ski patrol at work, and avalanche control
using explosives. The ski touring party climbs to Artist Point with Mt. Baker
in the distance. On the descent, a skier falls and is injured. Party members
construct a shelter using skis and fir boughs.
Original1 film reel (800 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M1]
|
circa 1958 |
VC293 | 15 | Artist Point ski clips A ski rescue training film shot at the Artist Point Ski Area at
Mt. Baker. Rescuers on skis pull a victim in a litter over the snow, and a
rescuer arrives with a litter to assist a man lying in the snow. Men and women
ski across a hillside with Mt. Baker in the background.
Original1 film reel (50 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M5]
|
ca. 1958 |
VC294 | 16 |
Leyte Island, Philippines Traditional style boats in a harbor on Leyte Island in the
Philippines. Local people in an open-air market.
Original1 film reel (100 feet) : camera original, silent, color ; 8mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M6]
|
circa 1958 |
VC295 | 17 |
The Boys on the Cliff Scenes of a lost hunter. The narrator describes what to do when
lost in the wilderness and how to be safe in the mountains by being prepared
with necessary skills and proper equipment. The final scene promotes the story
that appears in the August, 1961 issue ofReaders
Digest.Contains footage from
Mountains Don’t
Care(Item 13).
Original1 film reel (125 feet) : print, sound, black and white ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M3]
|
circa 1961 |
VC296 | 18 |
Camel Cigarette commercial An advertisement for Camel cigarettes. "Robert Byhre, Mountain
Rescue Expert" rappels down a rock face with a litter to rescue an injured man.
Robert is hauled up the rock face, and sits by a mountain stream smoking, while
an announcer talks about Camel cigarettes.
Original1 film reel (50 feet) : print, sound, black and white ; 16mm
[Duplicating Master: 1048.M5]
|
circa 1961 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Helicopters in search and rescue operations
- Logging--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
- Mountains--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
- Search and rescue operations
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Spring, Bob, 1918-2012--Photographs
- Spring, Ira--Photographs
Corporate Names
- Mountain Rescue Council
Geographical Names
- Baker, Mount (Wash.)--Photographs
- Rainier, Mount (Wash.)--Photographs
- Shuksan, Mount (Wash.)--Photographs
- Washington (State), Eastern--Photographs
- Washington (State)--Photographs
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Daiber, Ome (presenter)
- Spring, Bob, 1918-2012 (photographer)
- Spring, Ira (photographer)