Catalogue description Guide to Arolla

The first Guide was compiled from the Visitors' book left at the hotel in Arolla, in which climbers were encouraged to detail their local expeditions, and which was indexed by Frederick Corbett in 1883. Walter Larden sorted the entries geographically, and copied them into a new book, adding information on various walks and climbs of his own. In 1884 he made a "second edition" in a larger book, copying out the first version, adding information, and incorporating subsequent visitor entries, while also leaving room for further additions. That volume remained in use for many years, but by 1892 it was becoming rather battered. Larden copied the entries into the third, and he hoped, final volume, again incorporating subsequent entries, and again leaving room for future entries. "A Guide to the Walks and Climbs around Arolla" (London: S.Chick, 1908) was compiled by Larden from the ms volumes and a copy of the typescript, with the encouragement of Dr Brushfield, in 1907.

Places: Arolla

1922/C103

Typescript copied from "3rd edition" of the ms Guide, the original of which is now housed in the Geneva Section of the Swiss Alpine Club. This copy is one of four made by the AC in 1905, of which two were left in Arolla, one given to Walter Larden, and one kept by themselves.