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polarwid
May 4, 2005, 10:53 PM
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I am sure there are lists elsewhere on the net for GREAT BOOKS to read, but I want to compile a list here of what I feel are essential books to read to know EVERYTHING about the history and great stories of this sport of ours...
ROCK CLIMBING, MOUNTAINEERING, ICE CLIMBING...all are included, but your submissions should include a LOT of the history of the sport...
Please include a brief description of your submission, and the reason it is important in the annals of essential climbing books...
I am not referring to books like MFOTH, or Basic and Advanced Rockcraft. I am referring to books like BEYOND THE VERTICAL, or CLIMB! ROCKCLIMBING IN COLORADO...
OK, go ahead and start the list, only one book at a time, and one submission in a row, please...
I will, of course, EDIT this post to keep track of the growing list, and try to link each book to a place to buy or read it, as many of the books might be out of print...
LIST AWAY!!!
HARDING, Warren---Downward Bound: A Mad! Guide to Rock Climbing
HILL, Lynn---Climbing Free: My Life in the Vertical World
NEATE, Jill---High Asia: An Illustrated History of the 7,000 Metre Peaks
SELTERS, Andy---Ways to the Sky: A Historical Guide to North American Mountaineering
WILSON, Ken---Hard Rock: Great British Rock Climbs
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tadam2000
May 4, 2005, 11:33 PM
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If you can find a copy, get the late Warren Harding's "Downward Bound". It's been out of print for years but you might still find a copy at a swap meet, used book store, or within stealing range on your partner's bookshelf. It's funny, irreverent in the way only Harding could manage, and a great read. He was one of the great pioneers of climbing who was also wise enough not to take this damned silly hobby of ours too seriously. A farce, he called it. :lol:
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remi
May 4, 2005, 11:48 PM
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Hard Rock - A guide to great British rock climbs. Takes 100 of the most legendary climbs in the Isles and gives a history and full description of each.
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polarwid
May 4, 2005, 11:49 PM
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I happen to own all three of WILSON's series, HARD ROCK, EXTREME ROCK and CLASSIC ROCK. Excellent series with great stories and photos...
I just finished HIGH ASIA, by JILL NEATE...
It is an illustrated history of the 7,000 metre peaks in Asia.This book lists each of the over 400 known peaks between 7,000 and 8,000 metres, and has detailed summaries of their location, routes and descriptions of their exploration and climbing attempts and ascents. Lots of pictures and lists, and maps can keep you busy reading and dreaming for hours. The only "bummer" is that it is only current through 1990, so many of the more recent attempts and ascents are not included.
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gunksgoer
May 4, 2005, 11:52 PM
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Climbing Free - by Lynn Hill
Definatly a good read, and a nice book to have laying around as a reference. Ive read it twice.
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tantrikclimber
May 5, 2005, 12:56 AM
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We've lots of serious gripping reads on climbing...how about a comic one?
Last week I found a book of stories by John Sherman, amazingly enough, in my city libary!:
Sherman Exposed: Slightly Censored Climbing Stories
Even though some of the stories are a little over the top, Sherman's writing style is refreshingly unfettered and honest. He is funny and not afraid to poke fun at himself and others around him.
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acrofobic
May 5, 2005, 1:12 AM
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High odyssey: The first solo winter assault of Mt. Whitney and the Muir Trail area, from the diary of Orland Bartholomew and photographs taken by him
He did this trip in 1929 with kapok bag and canvas tent and none of our new materials. He was a Snow surveyor in the sierras. Solo Muir trail in winter, impressive. Good reading. Out of print, but available on Amazon
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polarwid
May 14, 2005, 11:08 PM
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Registered: Nov 22, 2001
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How about WAYS TO THE SKY, by ANDY SELTERS...
THis book charts the evolution of alpine climbing in the United States, Canada and Mexico from the unrecorded ascents by native people centuries ago to the cutting-edge climbs of today. This amazingly researched book documents the progression of climbing styles from early ascents by the easiest or most obvious routes to the light, fast alpine-style climbs of peaks and features occuring today.
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oldsalt
May 14, 2005, 11:18 PM
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Registered: Jan 19, 2004
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John Long's Close Calls is a fun, but very instructive read about the dumb things that some climbers have done and survived.
(Edited for grammar, if you can believe it on this site. I don't want my former English students to see my true self.)
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giza
May 15, 2005, 12:57 AM
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Registered: Oct 22, 2003
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The High Lonesome - John Long
The Boardman Tasker Omnibus - Joe Tasker, Peter Boardman
Both of these books totally kick ass...
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thegreytradster
May 15, 2005, 8:40 PM
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Registered: Jul 7, 2003
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Norman Clyde, Closeups of the High Sierra.
Tami Knight, Everest, the Ultimate Hump.
Opposite ends of the spectrum.
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fiend
May 15, 2005, 9:02 PM
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Registered: May 25, 2001
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The Eiger Sanction -Trevanian.
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hlehmann
May 22, 2005, 4:55 AM
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Registered: Jan 3, 2005
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A quick glance at the bookshelf to my left reveals:
Climbing in North America - Chris Jones
Yosemite Climber - George Meyers
Big Wall Climbing - Doug Scott
and for something *really* different:
The Night Climbers of Cambridge - Wipplesnaith, 1953. A buildering guidebook for Cambridge University, with old black & white pictures of highballs that would get you expelled, if not killed.
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enjoimx
May 22, 2005, 5:03 AM
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Registered: Feb 23, 2004
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Into the Wild by John Krakauer. Really crazy story
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anykineclimb
May 22, 2005, 5:58 AM
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Annapurna- Maurice Herzog
K2, the savage mountain- Charles Houston
Addicted to danger- Jim Wickwire
Into Thin Air, Eiger Dreams- Krakauer
The Climb- Boukarev
Touching the Void, Storms of Silence, This Game of Ghost- Joe Simpson
Exposed- John Sherman
Rock Jocks, Wall Rats and Hang Dogs- John Long
Over the Edge, Postcards from the ledge, Thin Air- Greg Child
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davidorchard
May 22, 2005, 12:59 PM
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Master of Rock by Pat Ament: A Lighthearted Walk Through the Life and Rock Climbing of John Gill.
Gill also has a great web sit about the History of Bouldering which is not a book, but well worth the time to read. http://www.johngill.net/
White Spider by ? (I have misplaced my copy). Has a lot of history of the many attempts and first ascent of the North face of the Eiger. If someone has a better description please submit if for me, it is still early.
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jackflash
May 22, 2005, 1:20 PM
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In reply to: White Spider by ? (I have misplaced my copy). Has a lot of history of the many attempts and first ascent of the North face of the Eiger. If someone has a better description please submit if for me, it is still early.
The White Spider is by Heinrich Harrer, better known in non-climbing circles for Seven Years in Tibet, another great account, although not focused as much on climbing.
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davidorchard
May 22, 2005, 1:28 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: White Spider by ? (I have misplaced my copy). Has a lot of history of the many attempts and first ascent of the North face of the Eiger. If someone has a better description please submit if for me, it is still early. is by Heinrich Harrer, better known in non-climbing circles for Seven Years in Tibet, another great account, although not focused as much on climbing.
Thanks jack, i thought it has a pretty good history of it being climbed also, it has been a while since i read it though. here is a link to what my copy looked like.
http://www.amazon.com/...nce&s=books&n=507846
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d.ben
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May 22, 2005, 3:15 PM
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High Exposure - David Breashears
His story about his FA of "perilous Journey" is so good.
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