Climbing Books

I own about 20 climbing guidebooks and this baby tops them all. I dragged one of the authors around the Southern Adirondacks to locate some of the more obscure crags for the book, during that time I could tell by the attention to detail and enthusiasm that the quality of this guide would be superb. Get a copy if you plan on visiting the area, it will help make your visit a true joy, especially if you like getting off the beaten path for some solitude and unspoiled beauty. The guide will point the way to some pretty incredible places.

I bought the book at my gym yesterday,ant it is awesome, jermy and jim, put on a slide show last night and it is incredible how much work went into it. I live right in the middle of all of it. this is THE best guidebook i have ever seen, and it covers everything.

I'm not much of one for wordy reviews, and so, having gotten my hands on a copy of the new rock climbing guide, Adirondack Rock by Jim Lawyer and Jeremy Haas, rather than maunder on about what a monumental task it was to take on writing a guide for a six million acre park and so on, I'm going to try to just stick to the points pertinent to the book as a guide. Don't get me wrong, however: the amount of time, care and thought that was put into the book is evident on every page.

As far as climbing guidebooks go, the bare necessities that should be covered are:

- An introduction with local practices/ethics, rules/regulations, and the grading system used in the book

- Directions to the climbing

- The climbing:
The routes/grades
Approaches/descents
What to rack
Maps/topos
Lodging/camping/food options
Rainy/rest day options

These, at the very least, will ensure that visitors will have the tools the need to get to climbing of some sort of another. Adirondack Rock certainly covers these basics, and then some. A lot more some. For example, some highlights from the introduction that even veteran 'Dacks climbers might find helpful:

- Directions on accessing the park from various major cities, and more importantly, how to travel within the park (has anyone else every tried to go east-west through it? Because I have, and it can really stink!)

- Where to try climbing when it's buggy (and what time of year there's a possibility that it might not be buggy, but let's be honest here. It's the Adirondacks. It's always buggy. Seen those springtails on the snow in the winter? At least we don't have chiggers!)

- The geology of the park (I am definitely going to ask a question about the Grenville Orogeny the next time I host a pubquiz night)

- A chronology of major events in climbing in the area

Of course, the real core of the book is its route descriptions. Consider the size of the park, and consider the size of the previous rock guide to the park (Mellor's Climbing in the Adirondacks). Now consider that this new guide has over twice as many routes as the previous guide (including a whole bunch of bouldering areas). No mean feat, fitting it into a one inch thick book of 672 pages!

The climbing is divided into 11 distinct regions (Lake Champlain, Chapel Pond Pass, Keene, Wilmington Notch, High Peaks, Lake George, Indian Lake, Southern Mountains, Old Forge, Cranberry Lake and Northern
Mountains) making it easy to flip to the appropriate section of the book to find the climbs you want. Each of the regions has as introductory paragraph or two and specific information regarding its season, access, directions, amenities and diversions (swimming holes, anyone?). With each region, each cliff has its own description, with a sometimes quite lengthy history preceding the topos and route descriptions, the latter of which have short descriptions offering additional insight and a human element to the routes. For example, the description of the route Air Male at Poke-O's Luther Wall offers: "It may be short, but it packs a punch; another difficult, crimpy face climb. Named for the hidden 'mail' slot, and for the airtime taken by all the male climbers at the crux clip. Once a toprope problem called Wounded Knee." Each cliff is given a star rating denoting quality, and each climb within a cliff is given a star rating, making it easier to plan a classic trip.

The route topos are all clearly labeled and easy to understand (which is not always easy; consider, for example, the tangled mess of routes that Pitchoff Chimney Cliff comprises), and the accompanying cliff photos are outstanding. Unfortunately, as beautiful as the topos and route descriptions are, the book is a slightly heavy to carry up on multi-pitch climbs. Fortunately, Jim and Jeremy considered this, and have made topos of all of the multi-pitch routes freely available on their website (http://www.AdirondackRock.com/goodies.htm). Print them out and take them with you. Genius!

Further evidence of their genius comes in the form of a table listing the distribution of routes by grade at each cliff at the beginning of each cliff description; for example, by noting that at the King Wall there are only five routes graded 5.9 and below while there are ten routes 5.10 and above, as a Dacks 5.9 leader, I can see that I might have more fun tackling the Creature Wall (ten routes 5.9 and below, four routes 5.10 and above) without having to thumb through all the route descriptions at the cliffs and tallying the grades myself.

The descriptions for accessing the cliffs are quite concise and helpful, offering estimated approach times and difficulty, good descriptions including driving distances from major intersections in the area and landmarks to look for on the approaches, and for the technologically inclined, GPS coordinates. The nature of the Adirondacks is that apart from some of the popular roadside locations, a lot of the cliffs are not necessarily climbed too often. Therefore, descriptions of the sort that one might find in guides to other areas do not necessarily work, since rocks fall, trees blow over, rap slings rot and herd paths may change or even disappear entirely from year to year. As a result, though one of the frequent concerns voiced by climbers prior to the publication of the book was that detailed approach instructions would ruin the sense of adventure so integral to the Adirondack experience, ultimately, even armed with GPS coordinates and a topographical map of the region surrounding the cliff, climbers venturing beyond the Beer Walls or the Spiders Web are likely to experience plenty of adventure (or difficulties, whatever you wish to call them!)

Finally, the guide will absolutely get you psyched to climb new rock every time you go out. There are beautiful black and white photos (168 of them!) throughout the book that provide inspiring visual clues as to the type of climbing to expect at each area. There is also a color photo gallery in the middle of the book, and essays by various Adirondack climbers scattered throughout. Not least of all are the area and route descriptions themselves: often offering stories highlighting the efforts of first ascentionists and frequently mentioning when areas have potential for more route development (and with so many routes being put up so recently), there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to complain that the Adirondacks are getting too crowded and climbed out. Get yourself a copy of the book, grab yourself some bug spray, and get out there!

I could have devoured five times as many of the fine stories written here as I had the good fortune to read. The variety of subject matter, coupled with the strong voices of the authors, make this book wonderfully appealing.

The best thing about this anthology is the range of subject matter, from bouldering to mountaineering, from young sport climbers to veteran alpinists. Every story gives a different view of climbing. It's also filled with good humor, from John Long to the crazy story about the guy on a road trip with his pet monkey.

This book is an anthology of articles published in Rock and Ice, with an emphasis on fairly recent work. They are primarily trip reports and essays. Detailed description of the sort of climbing which often doesn't get much press gives many of the articles a fresh, interesting quality. In addition, they have only previously been published in the magazine, so they will be new to many readers. Definitely recommended!

As a long time reader of mystery and romance novels, I found Break Free to be in the upper echelon. It is a fast-moving and thoughtful story of a young woman who is working hard on her life, only to have it fall apart through no fault of her own. How she rebuilds, and learns about herself and members of her family along the way, is a fascinating story. Her travels range from Colorado to Switzerland with romance and murder pursuing her all the way. This is not a book that you can pick up and put down easily. You will be reading it all the way through in one sitting.

The author fills Break Free with mystery and adventure as her protagonist faces the unpredictability of nature and human nature. Anyone who loves the outdoors and the mountains will appreciate the attention to detail in depicting the settings with accuracy. Probably most of us have something we want to or ought to "break free" from and can relate to the struggles Kathleen goes through. This opened up a whole new world of assumed identities to me that I had never even thought about. It was an intriguing book.

I started reading Break Free not too long after receiving it, and just as it was with the two pages I read on your site, each chapter pulled me in, until I was getting up in the middle of the night to read further. There was one evening, when I literally could not sleep from thinking about what was going to happen next.
Tom had last week off, and I thought it was a great idea to share Break Free with him, so even before I had finished it myself, I began reading it with Tom. It drew him in just like it did me. We've been married 38 years, and this is quite possibly the first book I've seen him stay interested in until the finish. He kept trying to guess what was going to happen next, and I just gleefully said, "there's still lots more surprises". It was fun reading it together.
Each page was filled with vivid word pictures of the surrounding country, and wildlife Kathleen, and her friends were in, and our emotions went right along with theirs, as each chapter surprised us.
Thank you so much for keeping it decent, and for being brave enough to have Kathleen pray in the name of Jesus!

This is a great resource and the presentation of material is excellent. Bill and Hans are part of the growing breed of speed climbers - people that have busy lives and search to do more in less time. Speed climbing brings more risk to the equation and this book helps one to make the right decisions in a wide variety of circumstances. Some may feel that speed climbing takes away from the "stop and smell the roses" attitude, but the truth is, when one learns to be efficient, there is more time available for relaxing activities. Or, as Bill and Hans do, more time to climb more routes. This book is a classic and is a cornerstone of instructional climbing literature. I read it cover to cover in 38 minutes and 43 seconds. Is that a record?

Title of my review says it all.

Short stories are interspursed with unique, new, and useful knowledge on the art of squeezing more climbing out of your: day, weekend, or evening.

This is the definitive work of Speedclimbing from a paradoxical pair of authors. Hans Florine is the godfather of speed climbing - one of the early pioneers of the sport and a multiple record holder. Bill Wright is a weekend warrior, who finds a way to pursue his passion despite the constraints of a day job.

The book mixes three distinctive components - theory behind how to climb faster, practical hands on tips, and fireside annecdotes that will inspire you to get on the rock. The book will provide useful tips for the beginner and experienced climber alike.

A very well done guidebook. Location information is especially helpful. Kelley made extraordinary efforts to contact climbers of early routes to obtain accurate historical data. We can only hope Kelley will put together a fourth edition.

This is the third copy of this guide I have owned. I wore out two copies of the 2nd edition. This latest edition is superb in the descriptions, details and advice offered.

This book is must have to anyone climbing in North Carolina. Especially if new to the area. It is a very well thought out and produced book, The Photos and topos are very useful,a nd the line drawings are very clear. It covers all of the good Climbs I know about in the state.

This is the greatest guide book to Smith Rock State Park ever. It has it all. That is all there is to it. This is the perfect guide to the perfect climbing area.

Alan Watts did an excellent job in putting together this guide. The topos and maps are high quality, the photos are excellent and it's easy to navigate. But what really sets this guide apart from many others is the quality of the historical perspective and the overall readability of the text. Watts played an important part in the development of sport climbing in the US and thus was a controversial figure for years. His treatment of those tumultious times is worth the cost of the guide.

One of the best guidebooks out there. The topos and pictures are clear and the descriptions are detailed. The author has probably done all the climbs so he should know. The topos even give specific gear needed at certain places on the climb. Where the author's climbing style lays is obvious, he seems to dislike anything with a chimney. Quality of routes are measured by a 4 star system. The author uses R and X rating. This guide has everything you could ask for. If you only want one guide to the area, this is it.

I remember meeting him as a boy of the age of 6. My grandmother was Thelma Chouinard up here in Maine. If you'd like, please contact me.

exellent book for beginners to expert. although it does not go into great detail and by no means is meant to be an instructional guide. Yvonne Chouinard is probable the most knowledgable author on the subject. i'd rate it a 10++++ Yvonne is also my cousin.

Chounard's book on ice climbing is an old classic. It retains its charm inspite of its age and much subsequent development in ice climbing tools and techniques. This is so because it is more than a technical manual. Chouinard was a pioneer in the development of ice axes and tools, and presents the unique perspective of an expert climber and master craftsman. Chouinard pays attention to the history and evolution of ice climbing, but also dwells in detail on all the basic technical requirements of ice climbing. He liberally sprinkles anecdotes and stories from his vast mountain experience. This gives his book a sense of first person immediacy that cannot usually be conveyed vicariously by a book. One of the things that makes this book really special is its wonderful layout and beautiful black and white photographs. In every respect, this book is a great work of art - it will remain sacred to climbers for many generations.

How best to respond when your climbing team gets into difficulty? First, read CLIMBING SELF-RESCUE: IMPROVISING SOLUTIONS FOR SERIOUS SITUATIONS from cover to cover. It holds the keys to using the team's abilities to effect self-rescue, pairing illustrated techniques with insights on using them in all conditions, from rock to snow and ice. Nearly thirty rescue scenarios are outlined with solutions involving as few as two climbers. No other book holds the solution-oriented scenarios of CLIMBING SELF-RESCUE: it should be on the shelves of any serious, regular climber.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is currently the best book on self rescue. Tyson and Loomis provide clear instructions that are understandable to climbers new to leading and detailed enough for long-timers. There's a lot of information, so it can be a bit overwhelming, but you can quickly glean the important stuff. The final chapter offers 29 realistic scenarios with discussion on solutions that provide good food for thought.

Like first aid, even if you think you know all this stuff, it's important to refresh your knowledge. This is the definitive text on self rescue that can literally save you when the s**t hits the fan. Get it. Read it!

I concur with the previous review. Excellent detail and a plethora of photographs to illustrate each point. This book includes a section on ascending out of a glacier crevasse as well. Andy Tyson and Molly Loomis have done a lot of research and work to put this book together to include such detail as a flow chart for you to methodically determine which rescue scenario to persue. Not only do they give qualitative data, but they included quantitative data compiled from various sources to help you understand the strengths of knots and their weaknesses as well. 29 rescue scenarios are explored for your better understanding of rescue techniques. If you have Fasulo's book, this will be a great addition to your rescue book collection. If you are just getting into rock climbing, I strongly advise seeking a mentor and purchasing this book to complement the side of climbing that many people overlook, self-rescue. Practice, practice, practice, then have someone critique your rescue skills.

Sri Easwaran shed his body in October, 1999. His lessons will live with us forever. He told us that his greatest tribute as a teacher would be for all of us to continue learning and practicing his 8-point program. This book is just one of the fabulous guides to a life filled with meaning. Get it-read it-DO IT.

For those following Easwaran's 8-point program outlined in his book, "Meditation," this collection of essays sheds wonderful new insights into the spiritual journey. For those not following it, this may well inspire you to. Easwaran has a gentle way of taking you by the hand and leading you through all that lays ahead once you begin the journey inward. And, while he doesn't hesitate to tell you that this is the heardest thing you'll ever do, he's so darn reassuring that you actually believe you can get there. These essays are filled with personal ancedotes and stories from the life of a man who has obviously arrived where we're all trying to go, and yet, still manages to sound as down to earth as any of us. As with all Easwaran's books, highly recommended.

This is a book of essays that are deceptively simple in their telling, yet get to the heart of spiritual development: what do you need to do, today, to make your life feel better? Easwaran doesn't lecture, rather he chats to you, and gradually you realise that he is talking about something that you really want to know about. His answers are straightforward and clear.

I love this book! For me to read a book twice when I have tons of books that I have NOT read says it all. Great, great book.

I have had the pleasure of not only reading this book but I have been fortunate enough to actually know the author. Jaimee Colbert is a very pristine and talented woman. Her work is excellent and manages to capture the reader's full attention from beginning to end!

WINNER OF THE WILLA CATHER FICTION PRIZE

"A debut novel set in a haunted Maine town. Eerie, understated, and deft. Colbert uses atmosphere the way David Lean uses scenery." -Kirkus Reviews

"The scope of Jaimee Wriston Colbert's storytelling is impressive, with no fewer than 16 central characters delineated in intricately overlapping narratives. The stories stand on their own as sensitive and unsentimental evocations of unrelieved loss." -The New York Times Book Review

"Here is a writer who, in powerfully linked stories, movingly evokes both our craving for the sacred and our tenacious embrace of the profane." -Dawn Raffel, Judge, Willa Cather Fiction Prize

"Ingeniously constructed and sensitively rendered, Climbing the God Tree is a compelling and moving novel." -Madison Smartt Bell

"Colbert has a knack for creating vivid characters and handles well the novel's recurring themes of loss and retribution." -Publisher's Weekly