Comprehensive technical climbiing handbook launched.
New from David and Charles is a book modestly titled The
Complete Guide to Climbing And Mountaineering and, as you've
probably guessed, intended to be a comprehensive guide for climbers
at every level.
Authored
by Pete Hill, a member of the MIC and an experienced technical
mountaineering author and instructor, the 246-page, full colour,
large format, hardback book is intended to cater for all climbing
disciplines from basic walking and navigation through rock climbing
to winter, alpine, big wall and expedition climbing.
If you're thinking that's quite a big chunk to bite off then
you're right, it is. If you're also thinking that stuff like ropework
is probably best learned in a practical environment from either a
professional instructor or an experienced climber, then you'd be
right again.
The good news is that the book is very comprehensive with clear
text, good diagrams and decent colour photos to illustrate various
techniques and scenarios. The first half is devoted to the basics of
rock climbing and ropework including useful stuff like multi-pitch
technique, abseiling and how to lower off sports routes both from the
top and from intermediate anchors.
The second half of the book tackles other areas of climbing
starting with Via Ferratas, then covering winter climbing - for once
the useful self-belay technique is actually covered - including dry
tooling where face protection is very reasonably suggested.
Next is an alpine climbing section with a comprehensive glacier
safety section, big walls and finally a short section on expedition
climbing.
Given that entire books have been devoted to each of these areas
of climbing, you can't expect the same level of detail in a general
reference book, but The Complete Guide does seem to have done an
excellent job of covering the basics very thoroughly with no glaring
omissions that we've noticed so far.
Descriptions are concise and accurate, though as you'd expect from
what's basically a reference book, it's all a bit dry, so not the
best choice of reading on a long flight. On the other hand, if what
you want is a comprehensive, up to date reference work either to
refresh your technical knowledge or back up what you've just learned
on a course or from friends, the book's an excellent choice that
lives up to its name.
For £25 you're getting comprehensive information,
great visuals and decent quality production. More details at
www.davidandcharles.co.uk
