Blacklock, Les. The High West by Les Blacklock and Andy Russell.

Viking Studio Book, 1974, 1st edition (no later printings indicated -- this book was reprinted a number of times). Hardcover in green cloth with VG+ dust jacket that has a new protector. Book is fine except one text page has a corner crease. Fine color nature photographs of mountain scenery, flowers, and wildlife by Blacklock, the father of photographer Craig Blacklock. Craig has an interesting bio of his late father Les on his website, which is highly recommended. The Blacklock family and photographic work are reminiscent of that of Edward Weston and his son Brett. Both Les and Edward got Parkinson’s and photographers in both families (Edward and Craig) are known for stunning black-and-white nudes in the landscape. summary:

Published in 1974, The High West is a classic collaboration between renowned nature photographer Les Blacklock and celebrated outdoorsman/author Andy Russell. The book is an evocative tribute to the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, spanning from the American West into the Canadian Rockies.

Core Components

• Visual Grandeur: The book is defined by Blacklock’s large-format color photography. His work focuses on the "untrammeled" beauty of the high country—alpine meadows, rugged peaks, and intimate close-ups of mountain flora and fauna.

• Narrative Depth: Andy Russell provides a series of essays and anecdotal text that go beyond mere captions. His writing offers a philosophical and ecological perspective on the importance of preserving these high-altitude ecosystems.

Key Themes

• The Fragility of the Wild: Both the images and text emphasize the delicate balance of high-mountain environments, serving as an early plea for conservation during the burgeoning environmental movement of the 1970s.

• Wildlife Intimacy: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the inhabitants of the high country, such as bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and grizzly bears, captured with a patience and proximity that was groundbreaking for the time.

• Sensory Immersion: The book is structured to lead the reader through the seasons and varying altitudes, creating a "vicarious hike" through the most remote parts of the North American continent.

Significance

The High West is remembered as a premier example of the "Environmental Coffee Table Book" genre popularized by the Sierra Club. It successfully combined the technical mastery of nature photography with a rugged, authentic narrative, making the remote wilderness accessible—and worth protecting—to a broad public audience.