Customer Reviews (3)

THE classic book on ice climbing
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. Thisgives 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 manygenerations.

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

I am somehow related to Yvon Chouinard.
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. ... Read more

Book Description
From one of the most prominent names in climbing today, a full-color, comprehensive guide to a sport experiencing a renaissance.

"Mixed climbing is my favorite discipline. It's the most fun because it has the fewest rules—sort of like professional wrestling compared to boxing." So says Will Gadd, as profiled in Fifty Favorite Climbs. Here the champion ice climber presents the same techniques and veteran wisdom he imparts to those who attend his annual clinics. These include: step-by-step instructions for the swing (ice axe), the kick (footwork), and putting it all together (tracking); how to "read" ice to select your line and follow it safely; and drytool techniques for mixed climbing. Training exercises and inspirational stories complete this seminal guide.

This is the seventh installment in The Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good material, presentation problematic
This is one of the latest guides on ice climbing.It therefore covers the most modern techniques, is up to date with equipment, and has great color photos.Written by Will Gadd it definitely has the flair of an individual author, reads more like a pro's guide than a technical reference.The type of material covered and order is great.However, the editing of this guide is severely lacking.It suffers from incorrect captions, bad figure references, transposed terms (convex vs concave) and complex procedures described in steps that tend to get you lost in confusion rather than clarify.

If you're an already accomplished ice climber, there will be a few "take home" concepts ("tracking"/cycling vertical progression, and his personal take on mix climbing techniques for instance).A beginner will benefit more from this guide (after reading twice to work around the editing problems).

A second edition, edited properly, will be a top-notch guide on this sport.

Great for Beginner / Intermediates
Written in thoughtful and lively fashion, Gadd distills his 20 years of collected wisdom into 230 pages. Discussions on tools, technique, nutrition, training are all useful - this is a book for the aspiring ice warrior as well as the climber with a few seasons under his / her belt. The constant Red Bull pimping gets a bit distracting but a guy has to pay the bills, afterall. Highly recommended.

Improve Your Ice Climbing Technique
This is simply the best book on ice climbing technique you will find.That's a broad statement, but you'll agree that Will Gadd has done an outstanding job presenting the information in this book. He starts out at a very basic level and proceeds to cover everything from climbing easy ice to mixed climbing. The book offers many tips and tricks as well as stresses the need for safety.There are even a few "war stories" thrown in for your reading enjoyment.The material is presented in an easy-to-read and enjoyable fashion.This book is destined to become the "Bible" of ice climbing technique.From beginner to expert you'll probably find something in this book that will help you improve your technique.A MUST addition to your collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Are you (ice) experienced?
Jeff Lowe's earlier book, the Ice Experience, was a companion text to Yvon Choinard's Climbing Ice, and those two formed the vast majority of the printed information on technical ice climbing for several decades. Now his new book eclipses everything else on the market for its scope, practicality, and good looks (the photos are one of the highlights of the book).
Buy this one if you have any serious or casual interest in the subject; the others pale in comparison.

All you need know about ice climbing and a little more
Jeff Lowe did a wonderfull job explaining the climbing techniques and reasons behind the technique. The knowledge in the book range from basic crampon technique to desparate overhanging dry tooling. All that is completed by excellent story of the frozen world

Excellent instruction from a world class climber
Jeff Lowe's Ice World is a must have for any ice climber.His in depth descriptions of classic techniques as well as insight into skills that helped him put up incredible mixed routes are all detailed in easy to read language.

The vivid photography really brings Lowe's instruction to life.This book is one of the best climbing reads out there.

very useful - focusses on all aspects of Ice Climbing
Read a few Ice-Climbing books, but found this to be the best of the lot in that it touches all the aspects of Ice-climbing- Equipment, Technique, Attitude, Ratings, all illustrated with good photos & tables. The order of presentation could be changed though, IMHO i.e technical stuff first ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Nice Job!
I have all the ice guides to colorado, and this one is about the only one I trust.Ratings are, in my experience, slightly conservative, which is better than being the other way, particularly for ice climbs where gettingin over your head can be very serious.Route information is, for all theroutes in the book I've done, very accurate.

Excellent
A great overview of the ice climbing available in Colorado. The best book on the market. ... Read more

Book Description
This classic guide to rock, slide, and ice routes includes over 1,000 descriptions, YDSA ratings and grades and protection ratings. Photoguides, photos, some page maps. By Don Mellor. 3rd ed. 480 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE Guide to the Adirondacks!
A well written and easy to follow guide to the best climbs in the ADK's.Don gives the important information while allowing the climber to experiance the adventure of Adirondack climbing.

A well written guide
The definitive guide on the Adirondacks.While not including every cliff, this guide is critical for all Adirondack rock climbing. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent Overview on Ice Climbing
I am an amateur rock climber interested in pursuing ice climbing. This book presents an overview of the rudimentary knowledge necessary to become involved in ice climbing. I now know the necessary equipment, tactics, hidden dangers, and mountaineering concepts which will enable me to go on a trip with an experienced climber and attempt some basic ascents.

best book for all ice climbing knowledge
Great book for info on ice climbing. The most valuable part of the book i found was the section where testing was done on protection in different ice conditions. Highly recommend this book to any climber planning to embark on the icy road, or for any ice climber wanting to learn more info.

Pure Domination
I've been wanting to ice climb for quite some time now, i got this book as a gift, and it is wonderful.a great no bull guide to getting started, from gear to techniques.if you want to get into ice climbing BUY THIS BOOK.

Everything you need toknow; clear, concise, easy to read
An excellent resource for ice climbing!Concise and clear, provides all the essential knowledge. Also provides further references for subjects notcovered.Great book. ... Read more

Book Description
Yes, Virginia, there is ice climbing in Washington State! Learn where in the first guide to this undiscovered country.

· Presents more than 200 waterfall ice routes and alpine ice climbs in 28 areas in all regions of the state
· Several Washington climbing schools offer specific courses in ice climbing
· Includes information on how weather patterns affect ice routes and the best times to climb, from KING5 TV's Jeff Renner

From established ice areas such as Alpental and Leavenworth to routes being developed (or rediscovered) around Coulee City and Wenatchee, the word is finally out: There are ample opportunities for quality ice climbing in Washington state! Arctic Grail, The Drip, and Hanging Curtain are just a few of the hottest ice routes that await you. Even more exciting, there are many routes yet to be conquered! Veteran ice climber Alex Kramarik and mountain guide Jason D. Martin have consulted with ice climbing experts around Washington to ensure the greatest accuracy and the best selection of routes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Resource!
This might be the best ice climbing guidebook I've ever seen!Let it freeze!Let it freeze!Let it freeze!

Best Winter Guide in Washington
This is clearly the definitive guide to steep winter climbing in Washington State.Martin and Krawarik have done a spectacular job researching and reporting on these routes.

This is the first book of it's kind for the area.I absolutely cannot wait for it to get cold! ... Read more

Book Description
A guidebook to the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A capstone achievement
After penning Boulder Climbs North and South, magnificent achievements in their own right, Rossiter moves north to the high country and catalogs more than just the classics.With every section of the high peaks covered in full detail including topos and pictures of each route, the climbing guide portion of the book is thouroughly covered.In addition, the author's comments and history keep this book from becoming a stale reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Informative and often funny
Greg Child is one of the very best writers in mountaineeringand this excellent reference book is up to his high standards and often displays Child's sly sense of humor.Child has choses his contributers well.It isvery informative and I believe that both experienced climbers and armchairmountaineers will benefit from it as he nicely defines many of the termsthat are bandied about in other mountaineering adventures and expeditionbooks.Child also discusses the issues and controvercies in mountaineeringand includes excellent summeries of many of the main events inmountaineering history.

Great Book, Bad Editing
This is a very useful book: the sport of climbing really needed an dictionary-type work. Unfortunately, the facts needed to be better checked, as in a couple of instances they are incomplete or even just plain wrong.More illustrations would also be good. I hope that a new edition may comeout which will correct the above problems and make this book theindispensable tool it deserves to be. ... Read more

Book Description
Celebrated climbers Guy and Laura Waterman trace the growth of thispopular sport by focusing on the first ascents of classic routes and the climbers whomade them legendary: John Case on the Adirondacks' Indian Head and Wallface;Robert Underhill and Lincoln O'Brien on Cannon; Fritz Wiessner on Breakneck Ridge.More contemporary climbers Jim McCarthy, Henry Barber, Lynn Hill, and Hugh Herr aredescribed in full detail. Ethics and style, the evolution of ice climbing, the changing roleof women in climbing, and developments in technique and equipment are explored.Available for the first time in paperback. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This is the definitive guide....
Guy, age 67 climbed his favorite mountain ridge near his home in Vermont,one last time. A forthcoming collection of their writings,some of which supplement this book, will be published soon.

The best history of climbing ever.
"Yankee Rock & Ice" is the best climbing history I have ever read for any region or era. The authors went to great lengths to get the history from primary sources. Straight from the horse's mouth as it were. They talked to dozens of old-time climbers to record their memories before they pasted-on. Sadly, many have, but their reminiscences are recorded here. This is a history in the true sense of the word. Many climbing histories give simple narratives of when, by whom, and how climbs were done. "Camp 4" by Steve Roper and "Defying Gravity" by Gary Arce are two that come to mind. The authors of "Yankee Rock & Ice" don't simply give a account of when classic climbs were done, they also scrutinize the history according to the times. They examine the past by the current customs, techniques and technology available. But, this isn't a stuffy history text you read in school, the stories are lively and extremely funny. I was laughing as loud as when I read John Long's stuff. ... Read more

Book Description
Bringing together the collective experience and history of some of ice climbing's most influential pioneers, Winter Dance is a guide book that traces the development of the sport from the earliest, ground-breaking explorations through the continent's most challenging climbs by mountaineering legends like Alex Lowe, Jack Tackle, Steve House, Stan Price and many more. Featuring over 300 of the most important climbs throughout Big Sky, Bozeman, Beartooths and Cody, Winter Dance covers more vertical feet of water ice and mixed terrain than any guide in America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Winter Dance. Select Ice Climbs in Southern Montana and Northern Wyoming.
This book was awarded the 2004 Gold Medal "Book of the Year Award" in the Adventure/Recreation Category by Foreword Magazine. It was also a finalist at the prestigious Banff International Mountain Book Festival, a Silver Medal winner at the annual Publisher's Marketing Association Ben Franklin Awards, and Runner Up in the Travel Category at the Publisher's Association of the West Book Design and Production Awards. Thanks for your interest.

Beautiful, well-built book!
It's obvious that the author has perused plenty of climbing books and learned from the successes and failures of others. This is a gorgeous book, with concise route descriptions that are informative without wrecking the adventure of the climbs themselves. The photos are clear and useful and the book is well-organized. I have climbed a few of the longer routes in Cody as well as several in Montana and have yet to find any inaccuracies. 99% of the book is about routes - the obligatory stuff about local ethics and history is interesting but brief, unlike some guidebooks that fill half their pages with Leave No Trace advice.

Highly recommended for all ice climbers interested in seeing the Yellowstone ecosystem from high on an ice climb!

this pitch is unlimited
for any outdoor enthusiast, not to mention 'climber',this is a striking book. the paper quality and photos would in itself be a great addition to your library. the read is well done and in the true climber lingo, would recommend highly.

Beautiful Book
This guide book is well written, thought out, and has some reall really nice photos. All routes are photographed, making finding them alot easier. They could almost slap a hard cover on it and sell it as a coffe table book. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Ice for all
I find the book to be compeling even to the beginners. Not only for ice climbers, but hikers during the summer to go to these places and enjoy the beauty and the overwhelming intrige for winter's ice to crystalize. ... Read more

Book Description

• From the editors of Rock & Ice magazine
• Expert evaluations of gear types and reliability
• Demystifies high-tech gear and cuts through the hype
• Provides tips on fitting, using, and preserving gear

Based on six years of articles in Rock & Ice magazine, Rock & Ice Gear is a detailed consumer manual covering the equipment used for all types of climbing. System concepts; proper usage and care; construction, design, and materials; history and evolution; it's all here in Rock & Ice Gear. This one resource will pay for itself many times over.

Alpine Gear

• tents
• packs
• mountaineering boots
• sleeping systems
• clothing systems
• ice axes & crampons
• snow & ice protection
• ski mountaineering
• first aid
• communication and navigation
• photography equipment

Rock Gear

• ropes
• harnesses
• belay & rappel devices
• carabiners
• passive & active protection
• big wall gear
• runners & quickdraws
• ascenders & pulleys
• helmets
• rock shoes

Customer Reviews (5)

Quite basic actually.
A very comprehensive book that unfortunately lacks any depth whatsoever. Besides due to the mag affiliation the author avoids to make direct reference to brands and models good or bad as this could anger advertisers. Good for beginers or to learn the basics of gear that you do not normally use.

every climber needs this book
This book explains the use and selection of all kinds of climbing and general outdoor gear. If you read this you can become better educatedd on what gear you really need and how to use it properly (safely).
Includes one particular gem: Do NOT get eye surgery if you plan on real mountaineering. You can have severe vision problems at altitude. This led to Beck Wethers terrible Everest injuries.

Top gear information
This book will become THE WORD on technical climbing gear. It is a collection of the best infromation available to date. I would recommend this book to any climber from beginner to expert.

a "must have" book for any climber
This book is an incredible resource for climbing gear.It's well laid out, easy to read, and full of useful information.If you're serious about your gear then you should own this book.It's the most read book in my "climbing" library.

Rock & Ice Gear: Equipment for the Vertical World
Excellent content and very well written. An everything you ever wanted to know and a whole lot more, but perhaps didn't even know to ask--book for climbers of all abilities.The information in this book goes way beyond basic information, it gives fascinating details that will guide your life and death gear decisions.I am not reading this book, I'm studying it!Buy this book if you are a climber or love someone who does. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Demented climbing humor, great fun!!
Tami Knight draws some of the best and most demented cartoons its everbeen my pleasure to read.

I just keep laughing when I think of Sid and Edthe Siamese climbers,'Rinky-Dinky Dogs', and 'Avalanch Poodles'.

Ican't think of a better way to spend a non-climbing day.

Special note:Cavers ('the Pale Ones'), hikers ('Fosslized Guide Book Authors'), and'lycra-clad weenies' should not look at these cartoons unless they're intoabuse. ... Read more

Book Description

• The true adventures and achievements of real people in real places
• Offers great examples of how (and how not) to climb
• Features some of climbing's greatest names: Patey, Pratt, Schoening, and more

Gregory Crouch is a climber, writer, and photographer who contributes regularly to climbing publications including Rock & Ice, Climbing, National Geographic, Outside, and Backpacker. ... Read more