Bollettino del Club Alpino Italiano 1895-96 / Vol. 29 Num. 62

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27608

Title

Bollettino del Club Alpino Italiano 1895-96 / Vol. 29 Num. 62

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A tribute to the early Italian Alpine Club, this volume honors pioneers like Riccardo Enrico Budden and guide Emilio Rey. It blends biographical memoirs with scientific observations on flora, glaciers, and mountain landscapes across the Alps.

Summary up to 500 words

Issue 62 of the *Bollettino del Club Alpino Italiano* (Vol. 29, 1895-96) serves as a poignant commemoration of the Club's founding figures and a comprehensive scientific survey of the Alpine environment. The volume opens with a biography of Riccardo Enrico Budden (1826–1896), an Englishman who became a devoted Italian patriot and the self-styled 'Apostle of Alpinism.' Born in Stoke Newington and orphaned young, Budden traveled extensively before settling in Italy, where he became captivated by the Aosta Valley. Despite initial rejection from local authorities in Courmayeur, he tirelessly funded roads, hotels, and infrastructure improvements, transforming the region from a solitary exploration site into an organized mountaineering destination. His life illustrates the transition from individual adventure to institutionalized alpinism, fostering national unity and moral renewal through the 'sacred mission' of the mountains. The issue also features a detailed eulogy for Emilio Rey, the 'Prince of Guides.' Celebrated for his legendary ascents of the Mont Blanc massif and his partnership with explorers like Paul Güssfeldt, Rey is praised for his professional integrity, lack of vanity, and deep love for the mountains. The text recounts his tragic death at the Dente del Gigante in 1894, noting that while his final accident was a sorrowful end, it did not tarnish his noble character or the 'golden book' of his life. Rey is depicted as a figure of democratic nobility who elevated the prestige of Italian guides. Beyond biography, the volume offers extensive geographical and botanical descriptions. The text examines the lakes of the Italian Alps, such as Lago del Basto and Lago Lungo, comparing their scenery to French counterparts like Lago d'Allos. The botanical section catalogs specific flora found in the Maritime Alps, including the rare edelweiss, rhododendrons, and various alpine herbs, noting their distribution and altitude. The work concludes with historical reflections on the region, tracing its passage through various civilizations from Neolithic times to the Middle Ages, and contrasts the rustic mountain life with the luxury of coastal cities like Nice. Standing as both a historical document of the Club's golden age and a practical guide to the natural history of the region, this issue captures the spirit of a generation dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the Alps.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Travel