20 Best Books On Mountaineering (2023 Update)

The latest edition of the classic guide to mountaineering describes fundamental climbing skills; discusses rock, snow, and ice climbing techniques; recommends clothing and equipment; gives advice on safety and first aid; and includes a new section on waterfall ice and mixed climbing. simultaneous.

"the definitive guide to mountains and climbing . . ."–conrad anker for nearly 60 years it's been revered as the "bible" of mountaineering-and now it's even better than ever – the best-selling instructional text for new and intermediate climbers for more than half a century – new edition–fully updated techniques and all-new illustrations – researched and written by a team of expert climbers mountaineering: the freedom of the hills is the text beloved by generations of new climbers–the standard for climbing education around the world where it has been translated into 12 languages. for the all-new 9th edition, committees comprosed of active climbers and climbing educators reviewed every chapter of instruction, and discussed updates with staff from the american alpine club (aac), the american institute for avalanche research and education (aiare), and the access fund. they also worked with professional members of the american mountain guides association (amga), to review their work and ensure that the updated textbook includes the most current best practices for both alpine and rock climbing instruction. from gear selection to belay and repel techniques, from glacier travel to rope work, to safety, safety, and more safety–there is no more comprehensive and thoroughly vetted training manual for climbing than the standard set by mountaineering: the freedom of the hills, 9th edition. significant updates to this edition include: – new alignment with aac's nationwide universal belay standard – expanded and more detailed avalanche safety info, including how to better understand avalanches, evaluate hazards, travel safely in avy terrain, and locate and rescue a fellow climber in an avalanche – newly revamped chapters on clothing and camping – all-new illustrations reflecting the latest gear and techniques–created by artist john mcmullen, former art director of climbing magazine – review of and contributions to multiple sections by amga-certified guides – fresh approach to the ten essentials–now making the iconic list easier to recall

Glacier mountaineering provides the knowledge and skills needed to safely and self-sufficiently navigate over glacier terrain. hundreds of hilarious and helpful illustrations by mike clelland complement the clear and concise text by andy tyson. providing critical instruction for anyone planning to travel over glacier country—from the cascades to the rockies to denali—this book will guide and entertain readers through glacier anatomy, equipment, route finding, and rescue techniques.

Modern mountaineering on alpine rock, snow, and ice if your experience as a backpacker or rock climber is drawing you higher; if the cold, remote alpine environment calls you nearer, this book is for you. even if you’re already an experienced mountaineer, you’ll find detailed descriptions of the newest and most effective techniques to refine and organize your methods and equipment. the mountaineering handbook isn't mired in outdated traditionalism; its new-school techniques are safer, more effective, and more fun for mountaineers at every level. with constant emphasis on light, fast, and efficient mountaineering, craig connally shows you how to: move quickly up and down rock, snow, and ice with appropriate safety systems manage mountain hazards, including rockfall, avalanche, lightning, and high-altitude illness select the best equipment for your personal style and objectives maintain sound nutrition and training according to the most up-to-date science understand the human factors of mountaineering–the social and psychological forces that influence critical decisions connally’s passion for mountaineering is evident in his writing–the mountaineering handbook is clever, insightful, and entertaining. he intends to move mountaineering into the twenty-first century, but he’s also determined to turn the traditional how-to book on its ear by injecting personality, humor, and thoughtfulness into every page. “backpackers venture into the wilderness to see a little farther, but mountaineers describe their adventures as means of looking more closely into their own selves–to see a little deeper. climbing mountains compels introspection because every detail–from the smallest to the most ominous–must be constantly attended to. that’s both exhausting and exhilarating. exhilarating, because the criteria for success are absolute and absolutely objective–they are chosen by the mountain, not by the mountaineer, and every person is equal when judged by mountains. success requires mountaineers to appraise their own physical and mental capacities and to know, or discover, the extent of their reserves of competence, commitment, and courage. mountaineering does not build character so much as it reveals it."–from the mountaineering handbook craig connally puts many years of mountaineering, ski mountaineering, and climbing rock and ice into his engaging writing. more importantly, he has applied his advanced degrees in science and his career as an engineering manager to sort out and explain what works and what doesn’t in the mountains.

This is a complete introduction to alpine mountaineering. if you are planning your first trip to the alps or anxious to improve on your performance on previous trips, you need this book. even seasoned alpinists will benefit from bruce's clarity and depth of experience.everything you need to know is here and none of the issues are ducked, from dealing with hut guardians to moving roped together. the first part of the book deals with the knowledge and techniques you will need. the second part consists of a choice of good routes to help you gain experience. in this guidebook-style section the route length is included together with the area, where to stay, access, map and kit requirements and the full route descriptions.the chapters are going alpine; about the alps; objective dangers; weather; kit; technical equipment; alpine movement; protecting yourself; glacier travel; speed vs security; navigation; rescue; via ferrata; planning an alpine trip; am i ready? ; guidebook.

This is a complete introduction to alpine mountaineering. if you are planning your first trip to the alps or anxious to improve on your performance on previous trips, you need this book. even seasoned alpinists will benefit from bruce's clarity and depth of experience.everything you need to know is here and none of the issues are ducked, from dealing with hut guardians to moving roped together. the first part of the book deals with the knowledge and techniques you will need. the second part consists of a choice of good routes to help you gain experience. in this guidebook-style section the route length is included together with the area, where to stay, access, map and kit requirements and the full route descriptions.the chapters are going alpine; about the alps; objective dangers; weather; kit; technical equipment; alpine movement; protecting yourself; glacier travel; speed vs security; navigation; rescue; via ferrata; planning an alpine trip; am i ready? ; guidebook.

The history of climbing in the andes has more unanswered questions than that of any other mountain range in the world.this climbing history began in the late stone age and covers a span of more than 15,000 years. "the andes" is a climbing history that spans the ages, documenting the ascents of thousands of adventurous souls of all epochs: from unknown cavemen, hunters, indians, grave-diggers, and miners to explorers, scientists, surveyors, artists, and, of course, modern sportive climbers! with a wealth of 824 pages, 290 illustrations and 60 maps, "the andes: the complete history of mountaineering in high south america" is unparalleled in its breadth and bravely faces these unanswered questions.

"buried in the sky is a compelling account of the men who have literally shouldered the rest of the world’s mountaineers up k2." —norman ollestad, best-selling author of crazy for the storm when edmund hillary first conquered mt. everest, sherpa tenzing norgay was at his side. indeed, for as long as westerners have been climbing the himalaya, sherpas have been the unsung heroes in the background. in august 2008, when eleven climbers lost their lives on k2, the world’s most dangerous peak, two sherpas survived. they had emerged from poverty and political turmoil to become two of the most skillful mountaineers on earth. based on unprecedented access and interviews, buried in the sky reveals their astonishing story for the first time. peter zuckerman and amanda padoan explore the intersecting lives of chhiring dorje sherpa and pasang lama, following them from their villages high in the himalaya to the slums of kathmandu, across the glaciers of pakistan to k2 base camp. when disaster strikes in the death zone, chhiring finds pasang stranded on an ice wall, without an axe, waiting to die. the rescue that follows has become the stuff of mountaineering legend. at once a gripping, white-knuckled adventure and a rich exploration of sherpa customs and culture, buried in the sky re-creates one of the most dramatic catastrophes in alpine history from a fascinating new perspective.

Packed with essential information and techniques, this handbook is split into sections including all aspects of single and multi-pitch climbing; bouldering and movement skills; scrambling; descending from climbs, etc. it also covers the climbing environment, its history and development.

“one of the great climbers of all time . . . who has discovered through the medium of mountains the true perspective of living.” —sir john hunt, author of the conquest of everest known for his lyrical writing and his ability to convey not only the dangers of mountaineering but the pure exaltation of the climb, gaston rébuffat is among the most well-known and revered alpinists of all time. he rose to international prominence in 1950 as one of the four principal stalwarts in the first ascent of annapurna, the highest mountain climbed at that time. yet his finest feat as a mountaineer was to be the first man to climb all six of the legendary great north faces of the alps—the grandes jorasses, the piz badile, the dru, the matterhorn, the cima grande di lava-redo, and the eiger. with this elegant book, first published in 1954, gaston rébuffat transformed mountain writing. his insistence on seeing a climb as an act of harmonious communion with the mountain, not a battle waged against it, seemed radical at the time, though rébuffat’s aesthetic has since won the day. nor are these deft narratives mere recitations of dangers faced and obstacles overcome, for rébuffat pays as keen attention to the joys of comradeship won on these faces as he does to the climbs themselves. in our own day of corporate sponsorships, online expeditions, and eco-vacations, the purity of rébuffat’s vision of the alps as (in the epithet of the title of another of his books) an “enchanted garden” shines forth in prose as fresh and stylish as any ever lavished on mountaineering.

Now completely revised and updated this is the second edition of the definitive guide to the highest peak in south america. the only guide available in english, it details 27 routes from the three major approaches and gives all the information needed to plan your trip up this challenging mountain.

Winner, best guidebook, 2016 banff mountain book festival "1001 climbing tips is a refreshing take on the climbing guide genre. irreverent, it has a laugh on virtually every page, but also some extremely useful advise and some points of genuine interest." – paul pritchard, 2016 banff mountain book competition jury – bold, funny, and useful manual of climbing tips based on the author's three decades of climbing obsession – 1001 tips across a wide range of topics, organized by eight primary categories – illustrated in full color this is no regular instruction manual–it's much more useful than that. this is a massive collection of all those little tips that make a real difference when at the crag, in the mountains, or when you're planning your next big trip. tips are organized by eight primary categories: basics (tips 1-240) – from how best to rope up and the importance of climbing partnerships, to racking your gear correctly and how to sleep in a harness. safety (tips 241-327) – the name of the game in climbing is staying alive and coming home in one piece. this section covers loose rock, rescue, dealing with heat and what to do if you get caught out. big wall (tips 328-434) – knowledge on tackling large multi-pitch climbs, with advanced topics such as pegging, jumaring, hauling and speed climbing. these tips will be an aid both to those new to multi-pitch climbing, as well as more experienced climbers. ice (tips 435-481) – tips on all aspects of ice climbing, including movement, protection, looking after your gear, mental strength and–of course–not falling off. mixed (tips 482-503) – with a focus on alpine winter skills, these essential tips focus on leading, gear and footwork on mixed ground, and how to use your tools on snowed-up rock. mountain (tips 504-802) – this section has almost 300 tips on living and staying alive in the mountains. training (tips 803-876) – a range of tips on how to overcome fear, improve strength and endurance, as well as diet and nutrition advice. stuff (tips 877-1001) – a mix of esoterica, such as how to rap off a fifi hook, what books to read, how to make your own kit, how to get sponsored, how to take great photos and videos, and how to go to the toilet in tricky spots.

The most comprehensive, detailed, and richly illustrated guide to mountaineering ever! perfect for the complete beginner or the seasoned mountaineer, mountaineering is a comprehensive guide for anyone who aspires to climb the world's hills and mountains. its pages are packed full of information, including: – hiking and trekking basics: from packing your backpack to map- and compass-reading tips- rock climbing: from choosing the correct gear–including harnesses, ropes, and the necessary tools–to how to safely climb- winter mountaineering: from predicting the weather to packing the correct clothing to the precautions necessary to stay safe- alpinism: from hut and climbing etiquette to climbing alpine routes quickly- ski mountaineering and snowshoeing: from choosing the right type of equipment to finding the best snow for your gear- expeditions: from raising funds to planning your trip–including the necessary gear and food–to getting the necessary vaccines and visas so why do mountain climbers rope themselves together? to prevent the sensible ones from going home! learn this and so much more throughout mountaineering, and soon you can join alun richardson and george manley all the way to the top. with over two hundred color illustrations and three hundred color photographs, and featuring some of the world's most inspirational mountain ranges, this is the book to turn to if you're planning a trip to, on, or up a mountain.

Covers everything from the basics of equipment, knots, rappelling techniques, and leave-no-trace principles to the more advanced skills of setting up complex anchors, evaluating avalanche terrain, and developing your leadership skills. completely revised and updated to include the latest in gear and techniques. written by a team of more than 40 expert climbers and climbing instructors. features hundreds of technical illustrations. includes extensive revisions to self-rescue, aid climbing, waterfall and ice climbing. significant new chapter on physical conditioning. all-time bestselling climbing instructional book. printed on 100% recycled paper. 8th edition, 2010.

Covers everything from the basics of equipment, knots, rappelling techniques, and leave-no-trace principles to the more advanced skills of setting up complex anchors, evaluating avalanche terrain, and developing your leadership skills. completely revised and updated to include the latest in gear and techniques. written by a team of more than 40 expert climbers and climbing instructors. features hundreds of technical illustrations. includes extensive revisions to self-rescue, aid climbing, waterfall and ice climbing. significant new chapter on physical conditioning. all-time bestselling climbing instructional book. printed on 100% recycled paper. 8th edition, 2010.

This riveting and uplifting memoir by vanessa o’brien, record-breaking american-british explorer, takes you on an unexpected journey to the top of the world’s highest mountains. long before she became the first american woman to summit k2 and the first british woman to return from its summit alive, vanessa o’brien was a feisty suburban detroit teenager forced to reinvent her world in the wake of a devastating loss that destroyed her family. making her own way in the world, vanessa strove to reach her lofty ambitions. soon, armed with an mba and a wry sense of humor, she climbed the corporate ladder to great success, but after the 2009 economic meltdown, her career went into a tailspin. she searched for a new purpose and settled on an unlikely goal: climbing mount everest. when her first attempt ended in disaster, she trudged home, humbled but wiser. two years later, she made it to the top of the world. and then she kept going. grounded by a cadre of wise-cracking friends and an inimitable british spouse, vanessa held her own in the intensely competitive world of mountaineering, summiting the highest peak on every continent, and skiing the last degree to the north and south poles. she set new speed records for the seven summits, receiving a guinness world record and the explorers grand slam, and finally made peace with her traumatic past. during her attempt on k2, she very nearly gave up. but on the “savage mountain,” which kills one out of every four climbers who summit, vanessa evolved from an adventurer out to challenge herself to an explorer with a high-altitude perspective on a changing world—and a new call to share her knowledge and passion across the globe. told with heart and humor, vanessa’s journey from suburban detroit to everest’s death zone to the summit of k2 and beyond, is a transformative story of resilience, higher purpose, and the courage to overcome any obstacle.

A history of mount everest expedition is intertwined with the disastrous expedition the author was a part of, during which five members were killed by a hurricane-strength blizzard. when jon krakauer reached the summit of mt. everest in the early afternoon of may 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. as he turned to begin his long, dangerous descent from 29,028 feet, twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly toward the top. no one had noticed that the sky had begun to fill with clouds. six hours later and 3,000 feet lower, in 70-knot winds and blinding snow, krakauer collapsed in his tent, freezing, hallucinating from exhaustion and hypoxia, but safe. the following morning he learned that six of his fellow climbers hadn't made it back to their camp and were in a desperate struggle for their lives. when the storm finally passed, five of them would be dead, and the sixth so horribly frostbitten that his right hand would have to be amputated. krakauer examines what it is about everest that has compelled so many people – including himself – to throw caution to the wind, ignore the concerns of loved ones, and willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense. written with emotional clarity and supported by his unimpeachable reporting, krakauer's eye-witness account of what happened on the roof of the world is a singular achievement.

* for intermediate-to-advanced backcountry skiers * includes trip planning, navigation, fitness, and avalanche safety information, in addition to techniques * provides advice on how to make well-informed backcountry decisions martin volken and his co-authors provide skiers with all the tools and knowledge they need to safely and successfully travel in the mountain backcountry. the guide features intermediate-to-advanced techniques for ski touring and ski mountaineering, from planning backcountry trips to perfecting turns in rolling terrain and mastering uphill climbing. for those skiers ready for a more technical, high alpine environment, they draw on traditional mountaineering skills, including roped climbing, setting protection anchors, using ice axes, climbing on bare rock, and more. in addition to mastering techniques, backcountry skiing also features information on recent evolutions in ski equipment; avalanche safety tips; a primer on mountain weather and glaciers, trip planning tools, a discussion of emergency situations, nutrition and fitness advice, and winter camping basics. throughout this guide, a special emphasis is put on being well-informed and making good decisions — whenever you strap on your skis and skins and head out into the backcountry.

The sherpas were dead, two more victims of an attempt to scale mt. members of a french climbing expedition, sensitive perhaps about leaving the bodies where they could not be recovered, rolled them off a steep mountain face. one body crashed to a stop near sherpas on a separate expedition far below. they stared at the frozen corpse, stunned. they said nothing, but an american climber observing the scene interpreted their thoughts: nobody would throw the body of a white climber off mt. everest.for more than a century, climbers from around the world have journeyed to test themselves on everest's treacherous slopes, enlisting the expert aid of the sherpas who live in the area. drawing on years of field research in the himalayas, renowned anthropologist sherry ortner presents a compelling account of the evolving relationship between the mountaineers and the sherpas, a relationship of mutual dependence and cultural conflict played out in an environment of mortal risk.ortner explores this relationship partly through gripping accounts of expeditions — often in the climbers' own words — ranging from nineteenth-century forays by the british through the historic ascent of hillary and tenzing to the disasters described in jon krakauer's into thin air. she reveals the climbers, or "sahibs", to use the sherpas' phrase, as countercultural romantics, seeking to transcend the vulgarity and materialism of modernity through the rigor and beauty of mountaineering. she shows how climbers' behavior toward the sherpas has ranged from kindness to cruelty, from cultural sensitivity to derision. ortner traces the political and economic factors that led the sherpas to join expeditions andexamines the impact of climbing on their traditional culture, religion, and identity. she examines sherpas' attitudes toward death, the implications of the shared masculinity of sherpas and sahibs, and the relationship between sherpas and the increasing number of women climbers. ortner also tackles debates about whether the sherpas have been "spoiled" by mountaineering and whether climbing itself has been spoiled by commercialism.life and death on mt. everest is a powerful and dramatic portrayal of a century of cultural encounters in one of the world's most breathtaking regions.

* full color with 125 photographs and 24 maps including a map for each summit route* essential information on primary climbing routes and travel logistics for mountaineers, with historical and cultural anecdotes for armchair readersaconcagua. denali. elbrus. everest. kilimanjaro. kosciuszko. vinson. to a climber, these mountains are known as the seven summits* — the highest peaks on each continent. if you've ever dreamed of climbing denali or everest, or joining the even more exclusive "seven summiters " club, then climbing the seven summits is the guidebook you need to turn your dream into reality. with mike hamill as your guide, you will discover different approaches to tackling the list, as well as details on what you'll need to plan an expedition and what to expect from each climb. for each mountain you'll learn about documents and immunizations, expedition costs, training, guiding options, climbing styles, best seasons, essential gear, day-by-day itineraries, summit routes, maps showing approaches and camps, regional natural history, cultural notes, and even post-climb activities like going on safari in africa or wine-touring in south america.throughout you'll also find helpful and inspiring stories from the likes of conrad anker, vern tejas, damien gildea, eric simonson, and other famed climbers. special insider tips from hamill, based on his years of experience, as well as full-color photographs of each peak round out this collectible guidebook. and, because there remains some controversy about whether kosciuszko in australia or carstenz pyramid on the island of new guinea is the "seventh summit," this guidebook to the seven summits actually covers eight mountains! *within mountaineering circles there is debate over which peaks are considered the official seven summits. for the purposes of this guidebook, the seven summits are based on the continental model used in western europe, the united states, and australia, also referred to as the 'bass list.'