Reviews (1)

Climb on!
Learning the Basic's is a must. This should be in everyones library. Keep these tips, that are writting in Turlough's book, and you will be always saying, "climb on!" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mountain Climbing    2. Mountaineering    3. Rock climbing    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Climbing & mountaineering   

Reviews (8)

redundant
Knots for Climbers has a few benefits.The basic knots are depicted in step by step procedures which is helpful for the beginning climber.Though the book is exhaustive it does give a good description of the "how to" and "why" of each knot that the book covers.Though with buying other books this one seemed very redundant because the basic knots covered in this book are also covered in other books (which contain a slew of other knots that this book doesn't cover).

Concise carry along book
Excellent book for bringing along to the rock and practicing with friends. Excellent Book
This is a great book.Simple, clear, all the knots you want to know about without random ones that you don't want.It's got good illustrations, which is key with knots, and also has pictures of those knots in use which is helpful.If you want to learn the most important, basic knots - get this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Equipment and supplies    2. Knots and splices    3. Mountaineering    4. Rock climbing    5. Safety measures    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Reviews (1)

A wonderfully told tale with superb painted illustrations
Jonathan London's "The Waterfall" is the tale of a family--parents and two sons--going backpacking in the woods.When they all happen upon a pool, the sons strip down and go skinny-dipping and have a wonderful time.They toast marshmallows, gaze at the stars, and get a little bit spooked by weird noises in the night.But what they really want to spend their time doing is climbing the waterfall which flows into their swimming hole.The parents tell them it probably can't be done, but the boys are determined.Sure enough, they make it to the top and take home a wonderful memory of having overcome something that seemed bigger than they could handle.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Hiking    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Nature & the Natural World - General    9. Rock climbing    10. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    11. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

useful
useful for the first visit in the valley, good topos, easy approaches, correct ratings . obviously far from complete: why don't add west face of cap and other V grades thet can go free?. interesting historical notes by steve roper on every route.

I spent money on this?!?
Terrible, terrible book. This is lazy, unstructured and devoid of any sort new information of old routes. It reads like a series of set pieces thrown together without any overall narrative structure - it's like the authors wanted something immediately to capitalize on and rushed this out. The occasional original thought is swamped by the general literary mediocracy and lack of focus.Very disappointing. And a real case of the Emperor's new clothes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Guidebooks    3. Mountaineering    4. Rock climbing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Yosemite Valley    8. Yosemite Valley (Calif.)    9. Climbing & mountaineering   

Reviews (7)

Ole Rocker John
can't imagine a better evening than being in an appropriately rowdy spot listening to John Long tell tall stories, improbable stories, and hilarious off-the-wall stories about the great days at Camp 4 in Yosemite.He has a knack of not taking himself seriously, but shining through is his tremendous joy in living to the hilt and exuberant satisfaction of being among the best at what he does. The Best One Out There
Occasionally sentimental, even purple in its prose, this is still a must-read. Primarily an account of the author's experiences climbing in Yosemite in the 70's and 80's, it's one of the only books I know of thatcovers this period.Useful little sidebars give practical climbinginformation,and many of the stories are just plainfall-out-of-your-Portaledge funny.

A Great Vicarious Read
This book had just enough technical information mixed in with stories and philosophy to make it a great read.I am not a rock climber but I am always interested in the extreme lives of others for they give up so muchto get so much.The counter culture John Long describes is hilariouswithout being condescending like you might find in say snowboarding.Theyseemed to have welcomed anyone willing to try.For the price of a movie,this is a better buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Mountain Climbing    3. Mountaineering    4. Rock climbing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. United States    8. Climbing & mountaineering    9. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Reviews (9)

Wow
Before I read this book, I was afraid to lead and would back off leads if I thought there was a chance I might fall.I had led a couple 5.9s, and easier routes, on bolts.Last week, I led a sustained 5.10d, last month I took my first lead fall on a 5.10c, and yesterday I led 5.10b as if it were 'no big deal.'The Rock Warrior's Way has transformed my view of leading and of climbing in general, and has opened up a whole new world of climbing for me.Thank you, Arno!!!

A tedious read
This brings a lot of new-age mysticism to rock climbing. There are definitely some valuable insights but you have to wade through a bunch of tired prose to find them. Overall, it won't do as much for your climbing as spending that time climbing.

fine
A very fine book, a must for those who seriously want to achieve their goals. Only with comitment goals can be conquered. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mental discipline    2. Mountaineering    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Psychological aspects    5. Rock climbing    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation   

Subjects:  1. Arizona    2. Guidebooks    3. Mountaineering    4. Rock climbing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Mountain - Arizona    9. Travel / United States / West / Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY)   

Reviews (2)

Classic Climbs
This is probably my favorite guide to the Sierra and I drool just thinking about the opportunities Croft has opened up for anyone seeking a challenge. Mt tattered dog-eared copy sits right over my desk, so I can take it down and be reminded of all there is that is great.
Very useful addition to the Sierra Climber's library
Croft has such stature in the climbing world that by mere inclusion of a Sierra route in this book, he will define it as a classic for the next generation of climbers.We bought this book in an East Side climbing shop en route to the Sierras to bag classic climbs, and found it very useful.The topos aren't up to modern standards (e.g., "Supertopos"), but there is enough detail to get an experienced climber up most of these routes.The major contribution is to identify the classic routes of the range, something he is highly qualified to do.If you plan to do much technical climbing in the High Sierra, buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering    5. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)    6. California    7. Campgrounds    8. Guidebooks    9. Hiking    10. Mountaineering    11. Rock climbing    12. Sierra Nevada Mountains (Calif    13. Travel    14. United States - West - Pacific   

Reviews (1)

SWEEEET!
Just got my copy and after spending a couple hours with this guide, all I can say is Wow! Kinda thick, but so much info and really liked the history section. Can't wait to visit some of the new spots...
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Subjects:  1. California    2. Guidebooks    3. Joshua Tree National Park    4. Joshua Tree National Park (Calif.)    5. Mountaineering    6. Parks & Campgrounds    7. Rock climbing    8. Special Interest - General    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Travel - United States    12. United States - Pacific - California    13. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Reviews (2)

Ozark climbing at its best
This book is very informative and easy to read.Gives great route descriptions; and the topos make finding your way around the area and locating the different routes a breeze.This is a "must have" book for climbing in the Sam's Throne area.

Informative and interesting
As climbing becomes more poplular, more guide books are being writen.I have found that most of these books give less than adequate descriptions of the area of interest.This book does not fit this catagory.Instead ClayFrisbee gives very informative route descriptions and provides good toposto add to finding a specific route.His description of the history andspecifics of the route also make the book more interesting to read thanmost climbing guidebooks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Mountaineering    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - South - Arkansas    7. Rock Climbing    8. Outdoors    9. Arkansas   

Reviews (2)

A must read if you want to start big-walls
I read this book...did a lot of practicing, (got spanked a few times) and then climbed the Washinton Column's Southern Route & Prow along with the regular route on Half Dome and Zodiac on El Cap! Good reference
The best way to learn to aid and climb big walls with the exception of going out there and doing it. A good reference for beginners. The illustrations are a little corny. Looked like a throw back to the 1970's. Illustrations probably lifted from "Climbing Big Walls," edited by Mike Strassman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mountaineering    2. Rock climbing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Climbing & mountaineering    6. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Editorial Review

Often considered the mecca of American rock climbing, Utah has almost as many routes as it has inhabitants. This is best reflected in Stewart Green's hefty guide, which weighs in at a whopping 537 pages. Green has indeed taken an admirable stab at rounding up descriptions, photos, and beta for every route worth mentioning. He takes the reader from the remote corners of Castle Valley and the Island in the sky to the oft-traveled crags of Salt Lake's Little and Big Cottonwood canyons. Route descriptions are thorough and easily understood. More importantly, most of the route maps are superimposed over actual photographs to insure that readers actually find the walls they are after.Green emphasizes the use of clean aid techniques and doesn't include routes that don't take clean aid.This is admirable and is aimed at protecting the soft rock of some of the desert climbs. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Climb On! to the Wonders of Utah
Rock Climbing Utah offers the most comprehensive guide to climbing the best rock Utah has to offer. Utah boasts some of the most diverse, beautiful, and bizarre rock formations imaginable.From the granitecanyons of the Wasatch, to the lunar-like sandstone of Canyonlands RockClimbing Utah will introduce you to the most unbelievable experiences inyour climbing career.It is difficult to cover such a wide spectrum ofclimbing routes, ecosystem changes, and skill levels but this guide does awonderful job.For a broad overview of underrated climbing that oftenrivals Yosemite, this guide is difficult to match. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Mountaineering    3. Rock climbing    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - Mountain - Utah    8. United States - West - Mountain (General)    9. Utah    10. Travel / United States / West / Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY)   

Reviews (10)

Easy to understand book giving the why and providing the how
I thoroughly enjoyed the blend of pure science and application to on rock performance.
An excellent resource
This book will not tell you how to hold onto a tiny crimpy hold with one finger while your feet hunt for somewhere to stand. It WILL tell you lots of things about how muscules work, what good training looks like, and what good climbing feels like. Move forward now or get off the rock
Imagine a pursuit that requires bloody fingers to excel at, a life or death commitment to succed in almost any areas of, and then take a look at this book. The cover alone conjures up teen romace rags, the horrendous pink and orange looks like some bizzare lesbian cookbook recipe collection. Don't let the cover deceive you about the content of this book. I've invested a lot of time and energy in texts that only added one more Everest story to myknowledge. NOT SO THIS BOOK. Concepts in this Performance Rock Climbing have been endorsed and used by most major climber you've read about. The back cover features an endorsement from a certain Mark Twight, and if you need any more information than that to take advantage of this book's massive potential for improvement, I suggest trading in your rack of gear for a bigger TV-you'll be more comfortable during your muscle decay, and that's one less person kicking down rocks on my head while answering a celphone halfway through a climb. Read more

Subjects:  1. Mountain Climbing    2. Mountaineering    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Rock climbing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Training    8. Climbing & mountaineering   

Editorial Review

Royal Robbins is one the pioneers of American climbing. His competitive spirit helped him change his sport forever. But it was his relentless desire that helped him push back the boundaries of what anyone had previously thought possible. Pat Ament has diligently chronicled Robbins's life and achievements by taking us from his Boy Scout days, to his triumphs in the Yosemite Valley, to his postscript career as a formidable kayaker. But the main focus is Robbins's years in Yosemite, where he went after whichever route the world said couldn't be climbed. We follow him up the Washington Column, Half Dome, the Nose of El Capitan, and on a solo ascent of the Leaning Tower. Ament also plays historian by laying down the foundations of the American climbing scene, transmitting a feel for Yosemite during its golden age--when the world had not yet crushed "the valley" in its clumsy grip. Moreover, he allows us to appreciate what went into setting the routes we climb today by giving detailed accounts of the first ascents. It is humbling to know that the routes we struggle on were first protected by slinging wires through machine nuts called "stoppers." And you get a real sense of the dedication when you know that Robbins' friend and fellow pioneer, Yvon Chouinard, was first creating pitons from shards of old Ford axles. Ament's style is constricted at times, and the biography often reads more like a textbook, but if you fancy yourself a student of climbing history, this Read more

Reviews (9)

Excellent overview of a Living Legend
I just finished the book and have been inspired to, once again, return to the craigs.I think Pat Ament did an excellent job of providing insight into a man who many consider a living legend and certainly a pioneer in the field of rock climbing.I gained many insights into Royal as a person and I have been reading climbing literature since the early 70's.Pat Ament not only highlighted many of Royal's more positive characteristics but was balanced in presenting the other side of the man also.Royal is certainly a colorful character and has been much criticized for many of his comments and attitudes about climbing.This book helped me understand why he said and did what he did and I came a way with an even greater appreciation of the him (not to mention his wife, Liz - someone needs to write a book about her!) Thank you, Pat Ament, for your dedication to the sport of climbing, to Royal Robbins and for giving us an incredible insight into both.Keep writing!My only criticism, if it is one, is that the book needed to be about 5 times longer to do justice to the subject and the subject matter.I would have liked to have had more detail into much of the subject matter but found I was, instead, taken on to the next adventure, year, etc.

Spirit of the Age
I was the original publisher of Spirit of the Age--Pat Ament working with us as the author.Despite our past, business-oriented differences, I find Pat to consistently write with incredible creativity and accuracy, especially in the case of "Spirit of the Age." I am now just ordering this book.
I feel driven to respond to the colorful commentary with regard Pat Ament's rendition of Royal Robbins. Particularly to those in Pennsylvania that appear to "frequent" these pages. I hope the Keeper of these reviews will find my remarks suitable enough to post. I am a climber who began as a 16 year old wannabe in 1970. My partner then, Kevin Givens and I were both raised in Modesto, California. Of course Modesto was Royal's headquarters. Kevin was one of Royal's first employees at Robbins Mountain Shop in Modesto when it had just opened. Kevin and I spent hundreds of days through the 70's seeking the prize we called 5.11. Although, I did not "know" Royal, I certainly had my share of encounters with him. Kevin and I were a small part of those great days in the 70's when all the doors that had been opened by Royal Robbins, Warren Harding, Layton Kor, Yvon Chouinard, Chuck Pratt, Tom Frost,and all, made it possible for us to realize what can be done. Fo! r that, all climbers in my generation are grateful I'm sure. Everyone of the individuals that we all tried to emulate, were in the Valley because of those who pioneered the sport in Yosemite in the late 50's through the 60's. Ask Lohn Long, Jim Bridwell, Ron Kauk, John Bachar, Dale Bard, Ray Jardine, John Lackey, etc. what drove them to be in the Valley in those days. I am certain that all would say someone else's name. Someone perhaps on the list of names I just mentioned. Our heroes.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Mountaineering    6. Mountaineers    7. Outdoor Skills    8. Robbins, Royal    9. Rock climbing    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Biography: sport    13. Climbing & mountaineering    14. USA   

Reviews (6)

Excellent book on this sport
I get acrophobia just from standing on a deep-pile carpet, so this isn't something I'm ever going to do myself, but I still found it interesting to read about it. I think the people who do this are some of the bravest people I know (as well as probably being completely nuts. :-)). Just looking at some of the pictures showing climbers going up almost featureless, smooth, sheer walls along a little crack set my heart to pounding a little bit. A little bit about a lot of topics
This book gives a little bit of information about a lot of different topics. Therefore, you may find a tidbit here or there that adds to your knowledge. However, because the book covers so many topics, the amount of in depth detail is very limited. For this reason, rather than getting this book, I would prefer to spend my money getting more specialized books on specific climbing topics rather than trying to get a little bit about everything from this book. If this is the only advanced climbing book you are going to buy and your experienced friends can fill in the blanks, then it would be a good introductory book for you.

The book I recommend
I am a professional climber/guide with over 25 years of experience, and I am an owner of a climbing guide service in Moab Utah. While there are many good climbing "how to" books on the market, I heartily recommend this book to all of my friends and clients over all others. Read more

Subjects:  1. Mountaineering    2. Rock climbing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Climbing & mountaineering    6. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Mountaineering    3. Nevada    4. Red Rock Canyon National Conse    5. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area    6. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Nev.)    7. Rock climbing    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. United States - Pacific - Las Vegas    11. United States - Pacific - Nevada    12. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Reviews (1)

Stewart Green has big shoes to fill...
Let's get this straight, "Rock Climbing New England" is one of those select guidebooks. Author Stewart Green picks out 15 areas in all of New England and only describes certain climbs in each. That said, there are almost 750 climbs detailed, not at all an insignificant number, and from what I can tell most are done quite well. Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Mountaineering    3. New England    4. Rock climbing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Northeast - New England (General)    9. Travel / United States / Northeast / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)   

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Mountaineering    3. Olympic Mountains    4. Rock climbing    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)    8. Washington (State)   

Reviews (1)

Summit Bagging Made Easy
As a frequent visitor to Rocky Mountain National Park I'm always looking for the best in solid, compact field guides.Gerry Roach's little gem is an good example.The text and tone of the book benefits from Roach'spersonal familiarity with the trails and summmits described.Read more

Subjects:  1. Colorado    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Parks & Campgrounds    5. Rock climbing    6. Rocky Mountain National Park    7. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colo.)    8. Travel    9. Travel - United States   

Reviews (8)

Classic
This is the classic guide book for the Tetons.Many pictures and topos are provided to help route finding, however most topos are for the more difficult routes.The text is very descriptive.The book is heavy so be prepared to make photo copies before your climb.

awesome!!!
exactly what I was looking for.All the detail I needed and more. Please send my thanks to the authors for the great beta.

A "must read" for teton travelers...
If you are looking for a comprehensive, detailed, easy to understand reference guide to the history, approaches and routes of the peaks of the Grand Tetons...look no further. Complete with Topos, black and white Arial photographs, and hand drawn route diagrams, this guide is a "must have" in any mountaineer's quiver of guide books. The book opens with a history of the Grand Teton Range and introduces readers to the men and women who explored and developed many of the modern routes enjoyed by all today; particularly the "bold" first accents of the early Teton pioneers Paul Petzoldt and Glenn Exum. The meat of the book can be found in the remaining pages covering everything from, recommended equipment, mountain safety, to detailed accounts of the climbs and approaches on all the jagged peaks of the Teton Range.
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Subjects:  1. Grand Teton National Park    2. Grand Teton National Park (Wyo    3. Guidebooks    4. Mountaineering    5. Outdoor Life    6. Parks & Campgrounds    7. Rock climbing    8. Special Interest - Adventure    9. Teton Range (Wyo. and Idaho)    10. Travel    11. Travel - United States    12. Travel Guides - U.S.    13. United States - West - Mountain (General)    14. Wyoming    15. Climbing & mountaineering    16. USA