Jeff Lowe Papers
Scope and Contents
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.
Dates
- Creation: 1980-2015
Creator
- Lowe, Jeff (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Extent
5.5 Linear Feet (13 boxes: 9 letter boxes, 1 half letter box, 2 half legal boxes, 1 oversize)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
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.
Arrangement
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
USU Special Collections and Archives purchased this collection from Jeff’s daughter, Sonja Bosler, in 2021.
- Title
- Guide to the Jeff Lowe Papers
- Author
- Finding aid written by Merah Slagle and Clint Pumphrey
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu