Image by Jacob MacGraw-Mickelson, New York Times
Maurice Isserman, professor of history at Hamilton College, writes an interesting op-ed about K2 in the Sunday New York Times, describing the changing ethos of mountain climbing over the past 50 years. He compares the tragedy on K2 last week, in which everyone was trying to save themselves, to the American attempt on K2 in 1953, when an entire party abandoned their efforts at the summit to save one member who was suffering from potentially lethal blood clots in his leg.
The Scott Polar Research Institute is putting on an exhibition called “Face to Face: Polar Portraits.” The show includes portraits and profiles of over one hundred Polar explorers, including a companion volume edited by Hew Lewis-Jones (who’s talk at the North By Degree conference was first-rate).
The Giant’s Shoulders, a new history of science blog, is organizing a monthly carnival in which people submit posts about classic scientific papers. Hosts for the event change each month. For the latest carnival, head to The Lay Scientist on August 15th.
Polar projection, Willem Barentsz, 1599
In 2009 International Conference on the History of Cartography will be meeting in Copenhagen to discuss papers on “Cartography of the Far North: Maps, Myths, and Narratives.” 1 October 2008 is the deadline for submissions. See the Call for Papers and other information here: ICHC 2009
Time to Eat the Dogs 
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