Climbing and mountaineering Books

Book SynopsisMany of us who participate in adventure sports have wondered: "What if the worst really happened? What if everything I have held so dear were to be taken away in the blink of an eye: my way of living, my job, my social life ... everything!?" An inspiring tale of a remarkable recovery from a hugely challenging, life-threatening accident. In 2013 he was caught in an avalanche which swept him over a cliff. Despite falling 140 metres and suffering serious brain injuries he survived. His prognosis was that in time he might be able to communicate by blinking. Nine years later he has made a remarkable recovery and though sheer determination recovered his fitness levels. Pete does have speech problems and an odd gait but he has gone on to find new challenges. He has recently cycled the equivalent distance to once around the equator and continues to live life to the full.

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Book SynopsisThe Great Mountain Crags of Scotland is a celebration of climbing in Scotland's wild places, compiled by Guy Robertson and Adrian Crofton. Featuring contributions from many of Scottish mountaineering's great writers and climbers, and beautifully illustrated with breathtaking photography, it delves deep into the heart of some of the oldest mountains on Earth. This is a book for anyone with an interest in Scotland's wild places, where the mountains and cliffs, rather than the climbs, take centre stage, transporting the reader far from towns and cities, and deep into the wilderness. The crags are the tallest, steepest and most majestic anywhere in the British Isles. They are all situated in a high mountain environment, and always a good hike from the nearest road. A visit to any of these great crags is therefore a worthy end in itself. For those wishing to venture onto the crags, all the climbs described are highly adventurous, relying solely upon leader-placed protection. Many of the crags and climbs are described and illustrated here in detail for the very first time. Among these pages are accounts of some of Scottish mountaineering's greatest triumphs, but also accounts of necessary failures - chasing elusive conditions, knowing when to go down, when to return. The authors relate their personal experiences of these cliffs and the climbing, and contained here are real treasures: schoolboy Dave MacLeod soloing on The Cobbler in winter after catching the train from Dumbarton, Mark McGowan's gripping first-hand account of soloing Shibboleth on Slime Wall of Buachaille Etive Mor, Grant Farquhar's recollections of a cherished first ascent on the Great Prow of Skye's Bla Bheinn, Es Tresidder falling under the spell of Creag Meagaidh's Pinnacle Face, and Brian Davison's 15-year waiting game for the first winter ascent of Mort on the Tough-Brown Face of Lochnagar. Split into four sections - The South West Highlands, The North West Highlands, The Islands and The Cairngorms & Central Highlands - this book features unique contributions from, amongst others, Nick Bullock, Rick Campbell, Jason Currie, Brian Davison, Kevin Howett, Julian Lines, Martin Moran, Andy Nisbet, Simon Richardson and Tony Stone. Each section is accompanied by an original poem by Stuart Campbell, and renowned author and mountaineer Andy Cave has contributed the foreword.

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Book SynopsisThis year sees the 80th anniversary of the original opening of the CIC Hut on Ben Nevis. It also sees the completion of a major new extension at the hut. A photo of Charles Inglis Clark climbing on Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh as a young boy accompanies an article by former hut custodian Gerry Peet. This is following by a profile of Graham Macphee, who in the 1930s took full advantage of the hut's location to pioneer a number of new routes on the North Face when writing the first guidebook to the mountain. Gordon Smith also writes again about his early winter adventures on Ben Nevis. This year also sees the 70th anniversary of the first Greater Traverse of the Cuillin by Charleson and Forde. This event is marked by several articles relating to Skye including one by Forde's daughter, Helen. There are lots of other stuff including climbing in Yosemite, paragliding in Torridon and Corbett bagging, plus details of all the rew routes done in Scotland over the last year.

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Book SynopsisThe cold conditions last winter were exceptional and a bumper crop of new routes were put up across Scotland. These are fully described in the New Climbs section. There is also an account of a repeat of the Scottish Haute Route on skis from west to east over seven days in March. Other articles include an account of an ascent of Nanga Parbat as well as past adventures on Vulcan Wall and Route 2 Direct on Ben Nevis. There is also another look at the most appropriate criteria for identifying separate mountains - particularly Munros. The 'bagging game' still fascinates...This year also sees the return, for the first time for many years, of the detailed accident reports from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

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Book SynopsisAnother cold winter in 2010/2011 led to much new route activity across the Highlands. The lead article is an account of the first ascent of Stone Temple Pilots on Shelter Stone Crag - one of the most impressive of the new climbs done last winter season. There are also articles detailing the winter routes on Merrick in the Borders and in Coire Eilde - a new venue in Glen Coe. There are articles relating to the development of routes at Carnmore some fifty years ago, as well Longbow Crag in the Cairngorms some thirty years ago. There are also various articles of a more general mountaineering interest including a modern appraisal of Ben Wyvis. A short but very interesting article about the criteria for identifying Corbetts is sure to generate much debate among the hillbaggers. The Journal uses colour throughout for the very first time this year. This has allowed illustrations to be used rather more imaginatively than formerly.

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Book SynopsisThis year's "Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal" has the usual great mix of articles - several involving adventures abroad. Martin Moran describes some mega routes in the fjords of Norway, Mark Litterick describes winter climbing in Austria, Graham Little describes rock climbing in Albania and Steve Chadwick gives an account of ascending Mount Cameroon in Africa. A scholarly piece looks again at the climbs of WH Murray. Other articles describe a rescue on Ben Nevis, the use of modern technology in the hills, how to have an epic, a monster run in the Alps, and a discussion of the disease of Munro bagging...and as usual details are included of all the new routes pioneered in Scotland over the last year.

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Book SynopsisAs usual the 2014 SMC Journal is packed with a wide variety of articles relating to Scottish mountaineering. There are tales of epic walking and climbing adventures in both summer and winter, as well as more informative articles ranging from wildcats to John Muir's connections with the SMC.

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Book SynopsisThe articles in the 2015 SMC Journal contain a blend of excitement and reflection. Julian Lines takes us on a witty deep water soloing course; Guy Robertson is on Beinn Eighe in winter; Graham Little goes climbing in the Balkans and Andy Nisbet has discovered another new winter crag. In completely different mode Iain Smart reflects on the changes taking place in the climbing world by casting ironic glances at his experiences in the public bar at the Kingshouse over the last 50 years. See if you can work out the allusions in The Heights of Allusion by M J Cobb, or follow Iain Crofton's drift in The Hills are Alive.Mike Dixon describes his research into the life of Tom Patey. Jimmy Cruickshank discusses Robin Smith. Hamish Johnston examines the life of Matthew Heddle, distinguished geologist and early explorer of Scotland's mountains and Peter Foster explores the life of another great character from the past the Vagabond Professor T Graham Brown. A wealth of other articles takes the reader from Himalayan peaks to Skye, Knoydart and the Western Isles. For the Munro enthusiast there is the indispensable Munro Matters: the one and only comprehensive guide to the List of those who have completed and told.The Journal carries the most up to date list in print of new climbs made in Scotland in the last year, while the reviews section has over 20 reviews by knowledgeable reviewers of recently published mountaineering books.

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Book SynopsisHardbacked for the first time in its long history the articles in this year's SMCJ are richly diverse. Martin Moran and Simon Richardson recount solo winter traverses of the Cuillin Ridge. Stephen Scott and Iain Smart present different aspects of Eagle Ridge on Lochnagar. Mike Dixon takes us on an entertaining tour of the Ben Avon plateau. The irrepressible Gordon Smith recalls a wild day on Ben Nevis with Dick Renshaw, while Dennis Gray and Phil Gribbon introduce more sombre notes as they remember tragedies on the Ben and in Glencoe. Further afield Grant Urquhart rafts down the Grand Canyon, Ross Hewitt skis the four great North Faces in the Alps and Dave Broadhead takes an unexpected helicopter ride. In more historical tones Gavin Anderson gives us an insight into the formative years of Bugs McKeith and Ian Crofton gives a personal twist to the topic of Scottish avalanches.As always the Journal contains the most extensive and up to date coverage in print of New Climbs in Scotland, and the unique Munro Matters lovingly compiled by the Clerk of the List. Simon Richardson reports on last winter's cutting edge activities, while Mike Jacob goes back a hundred years to present a glimpse of how things were for Scotland's mountaineers in 1916 at the height of the Great War.Likely to become a collector's item - the first hardbacked Journal is excellent value at GBP16.95.

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Book SynopsisThe 208th edition of the Journal (first published in 1891) contains articles, fiction and poetry covering almost every aspect of mountaineering in Scotland and much further afield. In rock-climbing Jules Lines succeeds on a grade IX at Creag an Dubh Loch. By complete contrast Steve Hindley describes an ascent of Beinn Vrackie: a commonplace experience which, in the end, allows him to glimpse The Parishes of the Infinite.

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Book SynopsisThis Scottish Mountaineering Club climbers' guidebook details all the climbing to be found on the sea-cliffs and outcrops on the magical Isle of Skye. It is an up to date and fully comprehensive guide to what is an increasingly popular area, on an already popular island. It is a companion volume to the 2011 guide to the Cuillin mountains of Skye, from the SMC. It is written by one of the recognised experts in this area. It is full colour throughout with action pictures and detailed photo-diagrams. User friendly in a successful and well presented format, this title includes page marker ribbon to ease the location of climbs.

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Book SynopsisThis Scottish Mountaineering Club definitive climbers' guidebook details all the rock and winter climbing to be found on the beautiful and remote-feeling islands of the Inner Hebrides and Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. This is the only fully comprehensive guide to the climbing on the beautiful and remote-feeling islands of the Inner Hebrides and Arran. The guide covers Arran, Canna, Rum, Eigg, Muck, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Iona, Colonsay, Oronsay, Islay and Jura plus a number of smaller, lesser known islands off the wild, west coast of Scotland. Written by the recognised experts to the area, the guide also gives extensive information on access to the islands, accommodation and amenities. It features full colour throughout with action photos to inspire, and detailed maps and photo-diagrams to help a climber make the most of a visit to the islands. The clear format is modern and user-friendly, including flaps on the cover that double as reference information and page markers, and colour-indexed tabs for quick location of crags of interest.

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Book SynopsisThe guide has been written by Rab Anderson, Kevin Howett and Colin Moody, who have been driving forces in the development of the Islands, and their insight and local knowledge is contained within to help you plan your trip and get the most out of it when you are there. For the first time in recent history, the jewel of Scottish (possibly even British!) sea cliff climbing gets the SMC comprehensive guidebook treatment. Written by the activists themselves, this guide provides the go-to resource for climbing in the Outer Hebrides. Uninhabited islands, committing sea cliff adventures, seaside cragging, mountain cliffs and the mighty Sron Uladail - all in one book. - 2500 routes from Moderate to E9 - 28 detailed maps and access information - 177 photo diagrams covering all major cliffs (and then some) - Tens of new future classic venues - Hundreds of new routes throughout the Islands - Comprehensive logistical information to help you plan your trip - Inspiring action photos in full colour throughout This guide provides comprehensive cover and photo diagrams to all of the popular areas, as well as publishing for the first time tens of new future classic venues and hundreds of routes, capturing all of the development that has taken place in recent years. Amongst this detail you can also find information on areas still under development, with possibilities for new routes of your own! Note-worthy is the fact that this guide provides options for the hard-core climber on a dedicated trip, as well as those wanting the option of a day or two out cragging whilst on a family holiday.

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Book SynopsisThis Scottish Mountaineering Club definitive climbers' guidebook is the first volume of the long-awaited update to the popular Highland Outcrops guidebook. Highland Outcrops South covers crags south of Inverness and the Great Glen, including outcrops in Arrochar, Mid Argyll, Mull of Kintyre, Ardgour and Ardnamurchan. The very popular crags of Craig a Barns, Glen Nevis, Binnein Shuas and Creag Dubh are updated, and will continue to attract the day trippers from the Central Belt. The guide includes over 50 new crags, covering some 700 new routes in a total of about 2500. Full colour throughout with action photos to inspire, with detailed maps and photo-diagrams. The clear format is modern and user-friendly, including flaps on the cover that double as reference information and page markers, and colour-indexed tabs for quick location of crags of interest. Coordinating author Andy Nisbet is the most prolific winter and summer climber in Scotland, and has authored several climbers' guides. The suite of authors includes some of the most knowledgeable climbers in their areas: Stuart Burns, Geoff Hewitt, Kevin Howett, Colin Moody, Grahame Nicoll, Tony Stone and Andy Tibbs.

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Book SynopsisThe SMC Journal has maintained a continuous record of mountain activities in Scotland since 1890. The Journal emerges annually.

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Book SynopsisLike most human activities, mountaineering has had an abnormal year, as attested by several of our articles. Constrained by Covid-19 restrictions, climbers have explored locally in summer and winter, and recorded an unprecedented tally of new routes on Scottish hills and outcrops. Some, such as our acclaimed contributor Olly Stevenson, have found unorthodox challenges among the concrete structures of a city, while others have sought solace in committing mountain memories to paper. In reminiscent articles you will find Greg Strange exploring Beinn Eighe with the late Brian Sprunt or Dave Allan on Quinag with Andy Nisbet, Niall Ritchie climbing Mount Kenya, and Geoff Cohen benighted in the high places of the world. And in a reflective vein there is poetry from Donald Orr, Sophie-Grac Chappell, Peter Biggar and Ian Crofton, with Orr also surveying the mountain paintings of D.Y. Cameron. If you enjoyed his dry humour last year in 'Travels with a Gun' you will relish another worldly-wise piece by Tim Pettifer, 'Almost Drowning,' in this year's Journal. Or you can find high adventure with Callum Johnson, making the first ascent of The Shard (E5), and join Richard Ive on our sea-stacks. Or undertake a grueling ski-tour with the super-fit Finlay Wild. Historical interest is well served by Michael Cocker's piece on Alister Crowley (The Beast) and by Robin Campbell's impressive account of Harold Raeburn's climbs firth of Scotland. Munro completers are celebrated too, along with many other regular features.

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Book SynopsisIf this year's Journal has a theme, it is 'unfinished business'. In remotest Galloway lurks the Wolf Slock, where an unclimbed line repels every effort by Andrew Fraser and his friends, before at last succumbing. In 'Connoisseur's Choice' Fraser and his co-author Stephen Reid tell the tale. Further north, Kenny Brookman returns repeatedly to Reiff, determined to astonish us by climbing 100 routes in a day, while over on Islay Graham Little ropes in a younger partner to fulfil long-standing ambitions. Also bridging the generation gap is David Almond, who introduces his daughter to the hard-won rewards of winter climbing. Having slain one dragon at Carnmore, John Allen comes back half a century later to confront another, in the form of an unclimbed Corbett. Are we too much in thrall to lists, he wonders? Undeterred, in 'Munro Matters' we celebrate lists completed and multiple rounds achieved. Did James Hutton have Munro-bagging in mind when he spoke of 'no vestige of a beginning and no prospect of an end'? Not so; he meant the vastness of geological time, as explained by Steven Andrews in 'Climbing through Time', in which he describes the ancient rocks we climb on. As always New Routes throughout Scotland are recorded here, including many in the Hebrides where Ian Crofton hints at endless scope for exploration on the marvellous cliffs of Havenay. Ever-popular features include Simon Richardson's summary of the winter climbing season, and 23 authoritative reviews of recent books.

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Book SynopsisCompiled and co-authored by veteran climber Grant Farquhar with contributions from a range of voices within Scotland's close-knit climbing community, A' Chreag Dhearg traces the rich climbing history of Angus Glens. Although less frequented than the forbidding ramparts of Glencoe or Skye, the crags and gullies in this unique area of the Cairngorms harbour classic summer and winter lines that have attracted some of Scotland's most respected climbers over the course of a century. In this engaging collection of vignettes and photographs, the origins of many of the glens' best-loved routes are described in intimate detail in an entertaining style that will appeal to both local climbers and those seeking new ventures to explore. The authors have woven the distinctive dialect and humour of this corner of Scotland into the narrative, imbuing it with a quality that is, by turns, both edgy and wistful. Despite the deceptively narrow scope of this story, the breadth with which it is considered here captures the way that climbing has developed in Scotland over time, and how this history is often exceptionally localised. A' Chreag Dhearg is both a tribute to Victorian pioneers and latter-day trailblazers and a poignant reflection on formative, youthful endeavours.

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Book SynopsisA Lovat Scout, Syd was a true man of the hills and an 'inveterate scribbler'. Despite losing his sight and one leg a fortnight before the end of the Second World War, he returned to the Scottish mountains with companions and summited over 600 hills well into his 80s. Syd is frequently quoted ass saying 'I can do without my eyes but I can't do without my mountains,' and his rich vivid description of his beloved Cairngorms speak of an insight that transcends the corporeal. With a foreword by the legendary Tom Weir, this eloquent and inspirational book is a portrait of forbearance and endurance and will appeal to anyone with an interest in the stories and history of Scottish mountain culture.

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Book SynopsisCovering not only the classic winter climbing venues of Glen Coe and Ben Nevis, but spanning from the Southern Uplands all the way to the rugged hinterland of Knoydart and Glen Shiel beyond, Scottish Winter Climbs West is a grand tour of the best winter climbing destinations across western Scotland. With over 1300 routes and an abundance of new lines covering both familiar and lesser-known crags, its scope and range offers options for climbing across all levels and styles and in almost all conditions. Crag and route information is accompanied by high-resolution photographic topos, beautifully rendered maps and detailed advice on conditions to help you be in the right place at the right time. This guidebook includes everything you need to inspire and inform your next winter adventure. Coverage of the book includes The Southern Uplands, Arrochar, Bridge of Orchy, Glen Coe, Glen Etive, Glen Appin, Lochaber, Ben Nevis, Ardgour, Glenfinnan, Knoydart, Glen Shiel, Arran, Mull and Rum Key features - * 1300 routes, with almost every route on a diagram * 173 high resolution crag diagrams * 127 inspiring action photos * 50 maps designed with accessibiltiy in mind * Essential crag information to aid planning * Conditions information for all cragsTrade Review'The book reflects the love and care put in by the author, Neil Adams and publisher to say nothing of the input by the climbing community. It is a work of art…This guide book must be near the top of pile for design, usability and overall user interface. It’s pretty much faultless' - Adrian Trendall, All Things Cuillin

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive guidebook covers a wide area from Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor to Creag Meagaidh and the Central Highlands. Since previous editions more than 250 new routes have been added, including 90 winter routes on Ben Nevis. An extensive new series of diagrams reveals Ben Nevis in greater detail than ever shown before.

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Book SynopsisThe Old Man of Hoy is a 449 foot high sandstone pillar located just off Hoy, second largest of the Orkney Islands. Highly subject to the North Atlantic weather it was carved by erosion from the nearby cliffs and will eventually, perhaps soon, collapse into the sea. It was first climbed by the crack team of Bonington, Baillie and Patey in 1966 and remains one of the premier challenges of British rock climbing. From the moment he watched the televised ascent of the Old Man of Hoy, Red Széll knew his life would be incomplete until he too stood atop Europe’s tallest sea stack. Those dreams went dark at nineteen when he learned he was going blind, and for twenty years he ignored the pangs of regret and desire every time the Old Man appeared again in his life. He was still climbing, but only indoors until he shared his dream with his buddies, Matthew and Andres, and, with an ever growing following looking on, they set out to confront the Orcadian giant. The Blind Man of Hoy is his story.Trade Review‘An inspiring and engrossing tale of triumph over adversity.’ * The Bookseller *‘Red’s climb, and the excellent book he has written about it, are lyrical and inspiring.’‘The story of a venture that required superhuman efforts.’ * Scottish Islands Explorer *‘He is a very brave man, and this is a great read.’‘Witty and informative . . . eye-opening and inspirational.’ * Outdoor Chics *

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Book Synopsis‘When an accident occurs, something may emerge of lasting value, for the human spirit may rise to its greatest heights. This happened on Haramosh.’The Last Blue Mountain is the heart-rending true story of the 1957 expedition to Mount Haramosh in the Karakoram range in Pakistan. With the summit beyond reach, four young climbers are about to return to camp. Their brief pause to enjoy the view and take photographs is interrupted by an avalanche which sweeps Bernard Jillott and John Emery hundreds of feet down the mountain into a snow basin. Miraculously, they both survive the fall. Rae Culbert and Tony Streather risk their own lives to rescue their friends, only to become stranded alongside them.The group’s efforts to return to safety are increasingly desperate, hampered by injury, exhaustion and the loss of vital climbing gear. Against the odds, Jillott and Emery manage to climb out of the snow basin and head for camp, hoping to reach food, water and assistance in time to save themselves and their companions from an icy grave. But another cruel twist of fate awaits them.An acclaimed mountaineering classic in the same genre as Joe Simpson's Touching the Void, Ralph Barker’s The Last Blue Mountain is an epic tale of friendship and fortitude in the face of tragedy.Table of ContentsIntroduction to the 2020 Edition by Ed DouglasForeword to the 1959 Edition by Lord HuntAuthor’s Note1 HARAMOSH2 IN THE KUTWAL VALLEY3 ABOVE THE HARAMOSH LA4 TROUBLE WITH THE HUNZAS5 THE LOST FOOD DUMP6 THE CLIMB TO CAMP IV7 THE SNOW CAVE8 EMERY AND THE CREVASSE9 THE AVALANCHE10 THE SNOW BASIN11 THE TREACHEROUS TRAVERSE12 THE TRACKS DIVIDE13 FIGHTING FOR LIFE14 DISINTEGRATION15 ALONE AT CAMP III16 LAST NIGHTS ON THE MOUNTAINAfterwordAppendix: ‘The Runcible Cat’ by John EmeryPhotographs and IllustrationsIndex

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Book SynopsisIn 2017 the English Lake District was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO as a “cultural landscape” of global significance; a landscape gifted by Nature and modified by the activities of humankind to create a very distinctive and special place.The famous English landscape painter John Constable once said “We see nothing truly until we understand it”. This suggests that gaining some understanding of why Lake District landscapes look as beautiful as they do will enable us see them more clearly and have our enjoyment of them enriched. To provide a beginning to this understanding is what this book is all about. Readers are taken to 22 prominent viewpoints around the World Heritage Site, all with an historical, Norse-derived name of ‘how’ or ‘knott’. Then, whether sitting on a rock at the viewpoint or sitting in an armchair at home (with an online panorama to assist), the guide relates the historical story of the view - how the key features came about and how they may change in the future in response to new environmental challenges. After reading this book, readers will have enjoyed the beauties and story of the Lake District’s acclaimed landscapes, and quite probably will not look at them again in quite the same way.

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Book SynopsisWritten in 1942, F. S. Smythe’s British Mountaineers recounts the history of a sport to tell the story of the brave, the triumphant and the tragic. Using the process of erasure, Faye Latham reshapes Smythe’s text into a unique, dream-like tale told from the perspective of an avalanche victim. Words are painted over and buried beneath the snow. Fragments of conversation tumble down like sentences cut off in the wind. The narrative voice is as changeable and combative as the weather, momentarily strong then filled with doubt, transiently still then bursting with life. Holding onto language, the original text resists its complete erasure. A voice speaks to the reader from beneath. Cutting steps through the landscape of the page, this collection raises age old questions, not in an attempt to answer them, but to reframe them in a contemporary form. What happens when we bury ourselves within a landscape? What do we become, and who will remember us? At the brink of losing everything, what stories are we left with? What do we leave behind? Faye Latham's British Mountaineers is a paperback collection of over 60 uniquely beautiful erasure poems, each is printed in full colour. This is a book of stunning and thoughtful artwork as much as it is a collection of poetry.

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Book SynopsisJoin Peter as he ascends Orangutan Overhang, Supermassive Black Hole and Mental Lentils in the disused Dinorwig slate quarries of Snowdonia. Part creative nonfiction, part memoir and sports documentary, Slatehead is set in Thatchers Britain and the present day. It conveys respect for the quarrymen pioneers, and passion for the punks who created th

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Book SynopsisTales of the Trail from a Living Legend, The Slim Fox Sixteen-year-old Allen Steck made his initial climb, a first ascent of Mount Maclure in the Sierras, with no hardware, no ropes, no experience. But the event turned his into a mountaineer’s life. Over 70 years later, Steck, also known as The Slim Fox, has had a prolific climbing career, including a 1954 expedition to Makalu, a 1963 first ascent of the south face of the Clyde Minaret, and a 1965 first ascent of the Hummingbird Ridge on Mount Logan. In 1967, with Steve Roper, he co-founded and edited Ascent magazine. Two years later, his interest in the far reaches of the world led him to partner in Mountain Travel, America’s first true adventure travel company. These are stories from the days when mountain climbing was discovery, when men like Steck forged new routes, both literal or literary. With dry humor and detailed recall, he captures the excitement and intrigue of a time when there were few rules and no guidelines. As he says, “We do not deceive ourselves that we are engaging in an activity that is anything but debilitating, dangerous, euphoric, kinesthetic, expensive, frivolously essential, economically useless and totally without redeeming social significance. One should not probe for deeper meanings.” With amazing photographs, many published for the first time, this memoir is a treasure, an inspiration, and an anchor to the foundation of the life-changing sport of alpine climbing.

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Book SynopsisRock climbing is probably the last thing that comes to mind when most people hear the word 'Palestine'. But rock climbing turns out to be an incredible medium through which to explore this beautiful, troubled land. Climbing Palestine is the first comprehensive guidebook to rock climbing in the West Bank, detailing over 300 climbing routes at 9 different areas. The book also describes how to travel to and within Palestine, where to stay, what to do on rest days from climbing and where to eat the most delicious local food. Each chapter features detailed information on the history and access information for each cliff. All of the routes are accompanied by short descriptions, the French grade, and information on the required gear. The book offers unique insights into the political situation and local culture. By publishing this guidebook, the authors hope to put Palestine and its amazing rock on the international climbing map, encourage foreigners to visit and climb in this rich, incredible place and advocate increased freedom of movement for Palestinians.

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Book SynopsisThe Journal consists of articles by members and non-members of the Society on their experiences on, or connected to, the mountains and hills in Scotland over 3000' (914m), and other Scottish hills. The Journal includes a section on overseas trips by land and sea to mountains and hills in Europe and the rest of the world.

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Book Synopsis"The Oberwallis" is one of the most important climbing and mountaineering areas in Switzerland - also known as Valais East or Upper Valais. This guidebook covers the eastern area of the canton of Valais centred on Brig and covers the following regions - Goms; Aletsch-Brig; Simplon; Visp; Saastal; Mattertal; Raron-Siders. So it includes the popular areas around Zermatt and Saas Fee. This 2012 edition is the first time the Swiss Alpine Club have published the guidebook in the dual languages of German and English. This region has undergone a tremendous amount of climbing development in recent years with many new areas bolted. This is a rock climbing guidebook (not snow and ice), with mostly bolted routes but also some trad routes - and climbs requiring placement of gear between bolted belay stances. The guidebook contains close to 2,000 routes in 99 climbing areas. There are more than 250 multi-pitch climbs of which 55 routes are longer than 250m and the longest is 800m. The guidebook is very comprehensive with sectors for families and beginners ranging up to committed alpine routes for experienced climbers.

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Book SynopsisA 1:40 000 scale climbing and trekking topographical map with an overview map (scale 1:250 000) - also included: climbing and vegetation profiles and Quito City map. In English, Spanish and German with GPS compatibility.

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Book SynopsisA 1:50 000 scale climbing and trekking topographical map with an overview map (scale 1:670 000) - also included: climbing and trekking profiles, Terskol and Cheget village maps and Panoramic view map. In English, German, Russian text. GPS compatible.

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