Glen Denny

February 8, 1939 - October 10, 2022

Glen Ralston Denny: climber, photographer, cinematographer, writer, and lover of the mountains to the end. Born in Modesto, California, son of Max and Julianne Ralston Denny, Glen is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy), son Scott, sisters Ellen Denny and Elaine Thurman, and brother-in-law Walter Thurman.

In 1958, he moved to Yosemite to learn to climb and witnessed the first ascent of the Nose on El Capitan. Inspired by this historic event, he was soon climbing the most challenging routes in Yosemite Valley with the big-wall pioneers of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He made many significant first ascents in Yosemite and the High Sierra.

Recognizing the importance of what is now known as the “Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing,” Glen began photographing Yosemite climbs and the social scene of Camp 4 in the early 1960s. He left an enduring legacy in art and climbing history. His cinematography in the films El Capitan and Nyala revealed both the vertiginous grandeur and intimate details of life on the walls. His unique vision was also captured in his books, Yosemite in the Sixties and Valley Walls. A memorial gathering will take place in Yosemite in spring 2023.