![]() | This article includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (January 2023) |
![]() Oliver Perry-Smith (right), 1907 | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Born | October 11, 1884 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | May 13, 1969 |
Climbing career | |
Type of climber | Mountaineer, rock climber |
Known for | More than 90 ascents in Saxon Switzerland |
First ascents | 32 first ascents |
Oliver Perry-Smith (October 11, 1884 in Philadelphia – May 13, 1969 [1]) was an American rock climber, mountaineer and skier who moved to Dresden in 1902 to attend a technical university.
He became well known in the Sächsische Schweiz for the first ascents of major sandstone rock towers such as:
and first ascents of several climbing routes that are still very popular today, e. g.:
(All grades Saxon rating)
In total "he made more than 90 ascents in Saxon Switzerland, 33 of which are rated VI or above; there were 32 first ascents, 13 solo climbs and 36 additional ones on which he led". [2]
On a trip to the Alps in 1908 he and his friend Rudolf Fehrmann made a number of first ascents.
In the Alps "his repeated ascents include also Weisshorn, Matterhorn, Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn, Wellenkuppe, Obergabelhorn, Kleine Zinne". [2]
Beside his achievements in climbing, he also won the Austrian championship in cross-country-skiing and ski-jumping in 1914.
There are a number of anecdotes depicting Perry-Smith as a rather unusual character:
In the year 1914 Oliver Perry-Smith returned to the US, never to visit Saxony again.
![]() | This article includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (January 2023) |
![]() Oliver Perry-Smith (right), 1907 | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Born | October 11, 1884 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | May 13, 1969 |
Climbing career | |
Type of climber | Mountaineer, rock climber |
Known for | More than 90 ascents in Saxon Switzerland |
First ascents | 32 first ascents |
Oliver Perry-Smith (October 11, 1884 in Philadelphia – May 13, 1969 [1]) was an American rock climber, mountaineer and skier who moved to Dresden in 1902 to attend a technical university.
He became well known in the Sächsische Schweiz for the first ascents of major sandstone rock towers such as:
and first ascents of several climbing routes that are still very popular today, e. g.:
(All grades Saxon rating)
In total "he made more than 90 ascents in Saxon Switzerland, 33 of which are rated VI or above; there were 32 first ascents, 13 solo climbs and 36 additional ones on which he led". [2]
On a trip to the Alps in 1908 he and his friend Rudolf Fehrmann made a number of first ascents.
In the Alps "his repeated ascents include also Weisshorn, Matterhorn, Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn, Wellenkuppe, Obergabelhorn, Kleine Zinne". [2]
Beside his achievements in climbing, he also won the Austrian championship in cross-country-skiing and ski-jumping in 1914.
There are a number of anecdotes depicting Perry-Smith as a rather unusual character:
In the year 1914 Oliver Perry-Smith returned to the US, never to visit Saxony again.