Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives
Jeff Lowe papers
Lowe, Jeff
UUS_ORA 017
5.5 linear feet
13 boxes: 9 letter boxes, 1 half letter box, 2 half legal boxes, 1 oversize
1980-2015
Jeff Lowe was a professional climber who founded multiple outdoor brands and climbing competitions, wrote numerous pieces on climbing, and produced and starred in various outdoor films. The Jeff Lowe Papers contain Jeff Lowe's records of his climbs, writings and films, business ventures, and competitions.
English
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The Jeff Lowe Papers contain records from 1980-2015 pertaining to the professional work and climbs of Jeff Lowe. The collection is composed of Jeff Lowe's records of his climbs, writings and films, business ventures, and competitions.
The "Business Records" section contains documents about various businesses founded or co-founded by Jeff Lowe, including Cloudwalker, Lowe Alpine, Arctic Wolf, and Latok Mountain Gear. This series is composed of business plans and agreements, as well as financial information about the companies.
"Ogden Climbing Parks/Ice Tower" contains information about Jeff Lowe's management of multiple Climbing Parks in Ogden, Utah, and his plans to expand these parks. Jeff also planned to install a "Holographic Ice Tower" in Ogden, modeled after the ice tower he created for the 1997 X Games.
The "Writings and Films" series contains Jeff's notes regarding his personal writings. This section also contains notes on films which he produced and was featured in, as well as press reviews of his writings and films.
The "Nameless Tower Climb" series documents Jeff Lowe's ascent of Nameless Tower as part of a group expedition in 1990. This section contains plans for the group's ascent of Nameless Tower and information about expedition members.
The "Camp Bird" section details plans for the development of the closed Camp Bird Mine in Colorado. Jeff planned to develop Camp Bird into a climbing center where visitors could climb and learn about safe climbing practices year-round.
The "Climbing Competitions" section contains information about Jeff Lowe's role in multiple climbing competitions. Jeff organized the first Ouray Ice Festival and the International Sport Climbing Championship at Snowbird in 1988. This section outlines the planning and execution of these competitions.
Jeffery George Lowe was born on September 13, 1950, in Ogden, Utah. Jeff's father, Ralph Lowe, introduced Jeff and his seven siblings to climbing early in their childhoods, which led to Jeff's passion for the sport. Jeff spent three years at Tahoe Paradise College on a ski racing scholarship before transitioning to professional climbing. He founded or co-founded outdoor companies Cloudwalker, Lowe Alpine, and Latok Mountain Gear with the help of his brothers. He also organized several climbing competitions, including the first Ouray Ice Festival and the International Sport Climbing Championship at Snowbird in 1988. Jeff made over 1,000 ascents during his career, most notable among them the inaugural climb of Metanoia, a route up the Eiger which became the namesake for the 2014 documentary that followed his career. Jeff passed away on August 24, 2018, due to pneumonia and a rare degenerative disease similar to ALS.
This collection is arranged into 7 series: Business Records, Ogden Climbing Parks/Ice Tower, Writings and Films, Nameless Tower Climb, Camp Bird, and Climbing Competitions.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Jeff Lowe Papers must be obtained from the Outdoor Recreation Archive curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Initial Citation: Jeff Lowe Papers USU_ORA 017 Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_ORA 017, USUSCA.
USU Special Collections and Archives purchased this collection from Jeff's daughter, Sonja Bosler, in 2021.
Mountaineering--Equipment and supplies
Outdoor recreation--Equipment and supplies
Snow and ice climbing.
Sports and Recreation
Businesses and Corporations
Lowe Alpine Systems, Inc.
Cloudwalker, Inc.
Arctic Wolf, Inc.
Latok Mountain Gear, Inc.
Business Records
Cloudwalker
Cloudwalker Financial Reports
2000-2001
1
01
Cloudwalker Product Designs and Financial Reports
1999-2001
1
02
"The Cloud Walker" Film Rights
1984-1987
1
03
Cloudwalker Customer Phone List and Financial Reports
2001
1
04
Financial Analyses and Investor Presentations related to Cloudwalker and Papillon
2000
1
05
Minutes of Cloudwalker Meetings and Various Cloudwalker Contracts
1998
1
06
Cloudwalker Operating Agreement and Financial Reports
1998-2000
1
07
Cloudwalker Catalogs, Financials Reports, Intent to Dissolve; Jeff Lowe Emails
2000-2007
1
08
Cloudwalker Business Plans and Catalogs
1999-2001
1
09
Cloudwalker Consent Minutes and Operating Agreement
1998-2000
1
10
Cloudwalker Business Plan
2001
1
11
Cloudwalker Photo CDs
1980-2015
1
12
Article on Snowbird Climbing Competition; Cloudwalker Financial Reports
1988-2005
2
01
Cloudwalker Subscription and Octopussy License
1994-2001
2
07
Other business ventures
Arctic Wolf Presentation Outlines and Papers
1994-1998
2
02
Agreements between Lowe Alpine and Jeff Lowe
2004-2012
2
03
LATOK Price Lists and Meeting Agendas
1984-1987
2
04
Jeff Lowe High Adventure Camp Meeting Notes and License Agreements
1998-2000
2
05
Jeff Lowe Correspondence
2004
2
06
Jeff Lowe Key Bank Information
2008
2
08
LEO Awards Program and National Geographic Flyers
2008
2
09
Ogden Climbing Parks Financial Reports
2008
2
10
Trango Ice Axe Concept
2002
2
11
Cintamani Business Papers
2001
2
12
San Juan Mountain Guides Memorandum of Understanding
2001
2
13
Adaptable Man Business Papers
2004-2013
2
14
Lafuma Price List and Jeff Lowe Papers
1994
2
15
Jeff Lowe Biographies and Resumes
2005-2010
2
16
Flyers for Utah's High Adventure Film Festival Viewing
2008
2
17
High Adventure Discount Card Flyers
1980-2015
2
18
High Adventure Discount Cards
1980-2015
2
19
High Adventure Mountain Film Festival Budgets and Schedules
2008
2
20
Petzl America Papers
2008
2
21
Jackson Hole Via Ferratas Plans
2007-2008
2
22
Ogden Climbing Parks/Ice Tower
Ogden Climbing Parks Financial Reports, Contracts; Jeff Lowe Correspondence
2004-2009
3
01
Climbing Safety Waivers
2008
3
02
Ogden Climbing Parks Guide Contracts
2008
3
03
Ogden Climbing Parks Insurance Documents
2008
3
04
Ogden Climbing Parks Business Papers
2004-2008
3
05
AdvenSure Applications and Ogden Climbing Parks Papers
2008
3
06
Ogden Climbing Parks Membership Cards and Applications
1980-2015
3
07
SPLORE Pamphlets and Presentation Notes
2008
3
08
Materials Related to PARC Program and ClimbFest
2007-2009
3
09
Ogden Climbing Parks High Adventure Discount Card Flyers
1980-2015
3
10
Notes on Business Meetings
1980-2015
3
11
Ogden Climbing Parks Discount Documents
2008
3
12
Ogden Climbing Parks Sign Quote
2007
3
13
Documents related to ClimbFest - Ogden
2007-2008
3
14
Ogden City Ice Park Financial Documents
2004
3
15
Ogden's Holographic Ice Tower Proposals and Papers
2007-2008
4
02
Contracts between ESPN and Arctic Wolf
1996-1997
4
04
Materials related to Ogden City Ice Climbing Booklet
2004
4
05
Ogden's Ice Tower Financial Documents, Designs, and Meeting Agdendas
1996-1998
4
07
Ogden's Ice Tower Plans, Images, and Newspaper Reports
2004-2007
4
08
Ogden's Ice Tower Construction and Design Materials
2007
4
09
Ogden Maps
2006
4
10
Materials related to Ogden Climbing Park and Ice Tower
2004-2009
5
02
Asset Transfer Agreement
2007
5
03
Ogden's Holographic Ice Tower Construction Plans and Renderings
2005-2007
5
04
Ogden's Holographic Ice Tower Financial Documents and Bylaws
2004-2011
5
05
Ogden Climbing Parks and Holographic Ice tower CDs and Prints
1980-2015
5
06
Writings and Films
Contracts between Jeff Lowe and Outdoor Retailer
2012
6
01
Contracts between Jeff Lowe and Outdoor Retailer
2012-2013
6
02
Papers related to "Jeff Lowe's Metanoia" Exhibit
2011
6
03
"Jeff Lowe's Metanoia" Outdoor Retailer Show Phone List and Schedules
2011
6
04
"Jeff Lowe's Metanoia" Outdoor Retailer Show Bottle Promotion
1980-2015
6
05
"Jeff Lowe's Metanoia" Movie Budget
2009-2011
6
06
"Jeff Lowe's Metanoia" Movie Fundraising
1980-2015
6
07
"Metanoia" Film Flyers
2014-2015
6
08
Jeff Lowe/Arctic Wolf Biography and Resumes; Climbing Map
1996
6
10
Jeff Lowe Alpine Film Outline
2011
6
11
Lowe Alpine Film Outline and Notes
2012
6
12
Papers related to Ogden Mountain Film Festival and Ice Tower Animations
2008
6
13
Jeff Lowe Film Sponsorship Agreements for $2,000
2011
6
14
Jeff Lowe Film Sponsorship Agreements for $500
2011-2012
6
15
Jeff Lowe Film Sponsoship Agreements for $6,000
2011-2013
6
16
Jeff Lowe Film Sponsorship Agreements for $17,000
2011
6
17
Jeff Lowe Film Sponsorship Agreements for $50,000
2011
6
18
Jeff Lowe Writings and Film Plans
2001-2013
6
19
Correspondence between Jeff Lowe and Ray Jacquot
1997
6
20
Papers related to James Balog and Jeff Lowe's Film
1994
6
21
Jeff Lowe: The View from the Whole Mountain Slideshow Contract
1980-2015
6
22
Many Climbs, Many Lessons Papers
2003
6
23
Climbing Writings
1994-1997
6
24
Fool on the Hill
1980-2015
6
25
Climbing Routes
1986-1995
6
27
Jeff Lowe Writings
1980-2015
6
28
Press Reviews of Jeff Lowe's Writings and Films
1995-1997
6
29
First Edit of "A Solid Companion"
2007
7
01
"Ice Climbing" Article in Backpacker Magazine
1988-1989
7
02
Vertical Wilderness Introduction; Correspondence related to Octopussy
1994-1995
7
03
Jeff Lowe Writings and Correspondence
1994-2013
7
04
Book Ideas and Writings
1994
7
05
REI - Invisible Climbs
1989
7
06
Sophie Jourdan Translation Correspondence
1998
7
07
Steinfel club History: Interviews
2009
7
08
Jeff Lowe's Film CDs
2007-2010
7
09
Color prints of oversized film festival posters
2008
7
10
Nameless Tower Climb
Nameless Tower Documents
1990-1994
8
01
Nameless Tower Climb: Miscellaneous Papers
1987-1990
8
02
Nameless Tower Climb: Gear Lists
1990
8
03
Nameless Tower Climb: Member List, Packing Lists, Papers
1990
8
04
Nameless Tower Climb: Equipment List and Travel Information
1990
8
05
Nameless Tower Climb: Banking Materials
1990
8
06
Nameless Tower Climb: Phone Numbers and Member Information
1990
8
07
Nameless Tower Climb: Preparations
1990
8
08
Nameless Tower Climb: Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers
1990
8
09
Nameless Tower Climb: Travel Plans and Climbing Routes
1990
8
10
Nameless Tower Climb: Receipts
1990
8
11
Nameless Tower Climb: Outstanding Invoices
1990
8
12
Camp Bird
Camp Bird Business Plans
1990
9
01
Camp Bird Mission Statements
1990
9
02
The Keystone Center Reports
1989-1995
9
03
Camp Bird Colorado, Inc. Papers
1994-1995
9
04
Camp Bird Property Appraisal
1994
9
05
Camp Bird and Moffat Road Booklets
1980
9
06
Camp Bird Sample Business Plan
1980-2015
9
07
Camp Bird Business Plan Materials
1996
10
01
Camp Bird Turf Feeding Systems
1994-1996
10
02
Climbing Competitions
International Sport/Climbing Championship
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Miscellaneous Papers
1988
11
01
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Phone Numbers and Addresses
1980-2015
11
02
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Business Cards
1980-2015
11
03
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Agreements and Budgets
1988
11
04
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Official Jury Cards
1988
11
05
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Work Schedules
1988
11
06
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Correspondence
1988
11
07
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Master Sheets
1988
11
08
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Assent Exposition
1988
11
09
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Adventure Film
1988
11
10
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Press Releases
1988
11
11
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Expenses
1988
11
12
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme
1988
11
13
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Rules and Regulations
1988
11
14
International Sport/Climbing Championship: Press Coverage
1988
11
15
International Sport/Climbing Champtionship: Miscellaneous Papers
1988
11
16
International Sport/Climbing Championship Outlines
1988
12
06
Other climbing competitions
U.S. Sport Climbing Championship: Miscellaneous Papers
1990
11
17
U.S. Sport Climbing Championship: Sponsorship Information
1990
11
18
Ouray Ice Festival Sales Agreements
1999-2003
12
01
Ouray Ice Festival Newspaper Clippings and Materials
1999-2013
12
02
Scott Thompson and Arctic Wolf Agreement
2000
12
03
Ouray Ice Festival Competition Results and Score Sheets
1999
12
04
Snowbird International Sport/Climbing Championship Publications
1988
12
05
Writings and Films Oversize
Newport Beach Film Guide
2015
13
01
Film Posters
2001-2015
13
02