Product Description

The Climbing Handbook is the essential reference for anyone interested in climbing, from those just discovering the sport to experienced climbers. It is a full-colour book packed with stunning photography and illustrations giving detailed and easy-to-follow guidance on every aspect of climbing. This book takes the reader from the very first steps to detailed drills to improve skills and fitness. It covers: getting started equipment essential safety skills key techniques improving skill and strength descending and ascending types of climbing. The Climbing Handbook is from the same series as the well received Sailing Handbook and forthcoming Scuba Handbook.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9543 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Steve Long is a professional climbing instructor and fully qualified International Mountain Guide. He is Chief Officer for Mountain Leader Training in the UK, and has successfully climbed most of the world's 'big wall' ascents.

Customer Reviews

Climbing Handbook
'The Climbing Handbook' is an introduction to all aspects of climbing, from indoor walls, competitions, rocks faces, cracks and bouldering. It looks at the basic techniques you need to learn, the history of climbing, safety, physical and mental training, nutrition, as well as equipment and much more. It also has a short chapter on good climbing places worldwide with their respective grades. The text and diagrams are clear and the photos make for a very attractive overall package. This is a good place to start to learn more about climbing and climbing terms and will provide a solid foundation to go onto further instruction and books on the market.

The Climbing Handbook
This is a definite buy for anyone either starting out or have been climbing for a bit. Topics covered are: History of climbing/climbers, equipment, styles of climbing, knots, belaying techniques, placing runners, climbing techniques, training/exercise tips, diet info, first aid, places to climb and more. Very good general book on climbing. Has information about both indoor and outdoor climbing. However much more relavent to outdoo climbers.

Comprehensive but not completely clear
This is a good book for anyone wanting introduction to climbing. It covers every aspect from safety systems to technique and where to climb, but not in enough detail to be of practical use if you do not already have some experience.

The problem seems to be the way each topic is confined to exactly a single page (or in some cases two pages), so it feels as though a lot has been missed out simply to keep it all on one page. It is also confusing because the diagrams next to the text do not tend to match up with the discussion. Indeed, some of the diagrams are not even explained in the text and much of the text is without diagrams! Steve's language can be ambiguous at times as well, which further adds to the confusion.

Having said that, the book is nicely presented and the diagrams and photos are clear. Read this book if you just want an introduction to climbing but without relying solely on it to learn from. If you want a book to teach you much more about safety and skills then look at Libby Peter's book - Rock Climbing: Essential Skills and Techniques, which is much more detailed and less confusing, with better diagrams which are referenced in the text.