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
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.
Audio-visual materials can be fragile and require specialized equipment to play back. For this reason, access to audio-visual materials is provided through digital copies, and it might take longer to provide access to items that are not yet digitized. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.
A Gibbs Ascender is also available to view in Special Collections.
Processed by Elizabeth Shuput in 2007.
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.