James S. Hutchinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Sather Hutchinson
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Hutchinson in 1894
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| Born | 1867 |
| Died | 1959 (aged 91–92) |
| Alma mater | Hastings College of Law |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Known for | Exploration and mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada |
James Sather Hutchinson (1867–1959) was an American lawyer from San Francisco, California. He was also a famous mountaineer and an environmentalist. He is best known for exploring the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.
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Early Life and Education
James Hutchinson was born in San Francisco, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley. Later, he transferred to Harvard University. He earned a degree from Harvard in 1897.
After Harvard, he studied law. He went to the Hastings College of Law. He received his law degree in 1899. He then began his long career as a lawyer.
Exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Hutchinson loved exploring the high mountains. He made many important trips into the Sierra Nevada. He was known for finding new paths in areas that had not been explored much before.
Pioneering Mountain Routes
In 1908, James Hutchinson went on a big adventure. He teamed up with Joseph Nisbet LeConte and Duncan McDuffie. They explored a high mountain route. This route went from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon.
Their journey lasted 28 days. They traveled 228 miles through the tall mountains. Parts of their route were completely new to explorers. This path is now similar to the famous John Muir Trail. In 1920, he led another trip. This time, he explored from the Giant Forest to the Roaring River area. He was the first to cross Colby Pass.
First Mountain Climbs
Hutchinson was the first person to climb many peaks. These are called "first ascents." In 1903, he was the first to reach the top of Mount Sill and North Palisade. He also climbed Mount Humphreys for the first time in 1904.
In 1908, he made first ascents of Mount Mills and Mount Abbot. When he was 52 years old, he climbed Black Kaweah. This mountain is very remote. A writer named Stephenson described Black Kaweah's rocks as "broken, splintered, massed and piled together."
Mountaineering historian Steve Roper praised Hutchinson. He called him a "prominent figure" in Sierra climbing history. Roper said Hutchinson had "the most enviable first-ascent record" of any Sierra climber.
Protecting the Environment
James Hutchinson was deeply involved in protecting nature. He became a charter member of the Sierra Club. This means he was one of the very first members. He joined while he was still a college student.
He stayed active with the Sierra Club his whole life. He served as a director from 1903 to 1908. He also worked as the editor of the Sierra Club Bulletin in 1903-1904 and again in 1925.
Skiing and Outdoor Sports
Hutchinson was also a big fan of winter sports. He loved cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In the early 1920s, he helped start the Sierra Ski Club. He founded it with his brother Lincoln Hutchinson and others. These included William Edward Colby, Joseph Nisbet LeConte, and Duncan McDuffie.
The club built a lodge in Norden, California, near Donner Pass. This small club used the lodge for almost 30 years. In 1955, the club members were all elderly. So, the Sierra Ski Club was closed. Its lodge and land were given to the Sierra Club. The lodge was renamed Hutchinson Lodge in honor of the brothers. It is still used today.
A Long Legal Career
Besides his outdoor adventures, Hutchinson had a long career as a lawyer. He worked as an attorney in San Francisco for 60 years. He even appeared in court on his 90th birthday.
