Product 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 whocontributes regularly to climbing publications including Rock &Ice, Climbing, National Geographic, Outside, and Backpacker. ... Read more

Product Description
In this elegant and exciting collection Andrew Todhunter, himself an extreme sportsman and the author of the critically acclaimed Fall of the Phantom Lord, takes readers along as men and women push themselves to their limits in the world’s riskiest sports.

In several of these essays Todhunter writes from personal experience, joining his subjects as they free fall from cliffs, wriggle through narrow underground crevices, and dive deep beneath the ice of a frozen lake. In these adrenaline-laced accounts of extreme sportsmanship, Todhunter captures not only the thrill of conquest but the deep pleasure of being someplace few others have gone as well.
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Customer Reviews (2)

It doesn't get much better...
The cover is misleading.Many of the stories in the collection are not "Sport" at all.These are views into dangerous activities, which range from essays on rescue workers off the coast of Northern California to introspective musings on the chainsaw.Others are indeed sports, though not the type you view on ESPN; these are stories of individuals who have concocted their own unique flavor of excitement: from storm kayaking in the Pacific to leaping off high bridges. Todhunter is fascinated by risk and danger and the people who engage in these activities.

Whether climbing vertical ice or diving beneath frozen lakes, Todhunter delivers crisp, clean, first-hand insight, with a full shot of adrenaline in the mix.An experienced diver and climber, Todhunter plays at times neophyte, apprentice, novice, and savvy traveler (in measure with his experience) all with equal grace. He shares his far-flung interests in high-adrenaline experiences with a literary style that inspires rapt, hypnotic, page-turning awe.

what it's like to be there
Whether or not you are an ice climber, a diver for wrecks, or someone who explores the depths of caves, all of which the writer is, Todhunter can make you feel you've been there,oftenwith amazing descriptions, sometimes beautiful, sometimes chilling. Cases in point, a couple of brief samples from the chapter called "Beneath the ice."

"Far above the triangle [cut through the ice of a Sierra lake]is aglow in the dimly translucent field of ice. Our lines stretch upward, vanishing. I give a firm tug: "Okay." A tug comes back fom my tender. "Acknowledged." The trail of air bubbles works its way to the surface, rumbling faintly. I take a deep breath and expel it with one quick contraction of the diaphragm. The body of air breaks into three spheres that flatten into mushrooms the diammeter of dinner plates, expanding as they climb. Surrounded by a host of smaller bubbles, 100 silver dollars, 1,000 dimes--twirling in their wake, the three upturned bowls of air catch the sun as they near the surface, gleam like mirrors, and disappear."

And its ending [as they come up]:"On the other side of the ice, our tenders set off like sled dogs on the run. The lines go aut and we begin to move, gaining speed. Howling through our regulators, we ski upside down across the ice.The wedge of blue sky suddenly appears, hurtling toward us. As I dive headfirst through the triangle I'm blinded. I look straight down into thesun." ... Read more

Product Description
Many people visit Alaska to see the beautiful national parks. One group of visitors wants to fly into a national park and go skiing. However, the weather turns bad. Will the visitors be able to get to the park? What will they do there? ... Read more

Product 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

Product Description
Various snow and ice climbs in Britain are described in this book in a series of 60 essays. Each climb is described by a leading climber and the book offers a history of each climb. Ken Wilson has also written "Hard Rock", "Classic Rock" and "Black Cliff". ... Read more

Product Description
This text presents a look at 25 of the hardest climbs in the world, and an insight into the attitude and character of those who made them. The book is divided into five types of climb: rock, ice and mixed, alpine-scale, big wall and big mountain. ... Read more

Product Description
Hey...getting to be just about the best? But, today, well, today you just don't want to get on the rock. You can still enjoy climbing without even lookin' at a rock. Follow these simple rules: Take this book out of yer back pocket, up to the counter, and pay for it. Zoom home like a crazed fiend. Snitch yer mom's most secret stash of tortilla chips then pour yerself a generous amount of the finest 12-year-old single malt scotch. Relax into yer fav'rit easy chair with yer fab snack and "HOT" new book and howl about lycra-clad buffoons, guffaw over bolt-slammin' geeks, split a gut at Avalanche Poodles, collapse on the floor in a weepin' heap of laughter cuz of Climbing Tales of Terror. ... Read more

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

Product 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

Product Description
For more than twenty years, Rock & Ice magazine has published excellent writing from the world's best climbers. Now, for the first time, Rock & Ice editor Dougald MacDonald has gathered together a collection of the best of the best.

The range of talent and perspective in this anthology of 25 essays is astounding. Jay Anderson reveals his obsession with an offwidth chimney on the cold high plains of southeastern Wyoming. Ruaridh Pringle, caught in a lightning storm, experiences a lifetime of terror in one climb. Weird clients and even wierder instructors are the subject of a John Long yarn. Will Gadd lets the influential, flamboyant, and iconoclastic Christian Griffith speak for himself in an insightful profile. And Christian Beckwith takes a moving and sympathetic look at the plight of Soviet climbers who disappeared from the climbing world after the collapse of the Soviet Union. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Recommended
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 muchpress gives many of the articles a fresh, interesting quality. In addition,they have only previously been published in the magazine, so they will benew to many readers. Definitely recommended!

This book is simply not long enough
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 wonderfullyappealing.

Constant surprises
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 filledwith good humor, from John Long to the crazy story about the guy on a roadtrip with his pet monkey. ... Read more

Product Description
Finally, a satewide guide to the best ice climbing in Utah!Anticipated for years, this book is essential for beginners andexperts, locals, and visitors alike.From the Bear River Mountains tothe Wasatch Range to southern and eastern Utah, this book has it all.Easy to use maps, photos, and route descriptions give you all theinformation you need.Articles by Greg Lowe, Doug Heinrich, andothers make it a complete package and an essential part of any iceclimber's arsenal. ... Read more

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

Product Description
Discover what you need to know about how to do “trad” climbing, sport climbing, bouldering, solo climbing, scrambling, mountaineering, ice climbing, and indoor walls.Learn about the climbing and protection equipment that you will need to enjoy this sport.

Learn what indoor rock training equipment will get you in shape fast for rock climbing, the different rock climbing techniques like rope systems and belays and the mistakes you must avoid to stay safe and how to climb like a pro using 20 pro rock climbers techniques.

Discover all the common types of calls you can use to communicate clearly with other climbers, what you need to know about all the grade scales and ratings of climbing routes and the most exciting rock climbing destinations for the beginning, experienced and expert rock climber.

Learn the two best things to do when you start experiencing aching joints.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Buy this book and go climb some great new routes !!
I was excited to finally get my hands on this new guidebook.There has been LOTS of new route developement in these areas and, until this book came out, there was a gap in the available route information.

The layout here is well organized, the topos and pictures are first quality.The author is funny to read and also tells a few great stories.Hopefully the climbing community in the Northeast is just as psyched as I was to "discover" these new routes and climbing areas. ... Read more