Climber's Handbook [Paperback]

Garth Hattingh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

& 200 color photos & 100 drawings & 8 x 11. Practical handbook for all types of climbing.& Full-color photographs of techniques, equipment, and locations & Famous climbers and their feats "What Garth Hattingh describes here starts with the physical satisfaction of clambering up a stretch of rock--but where climbing starts being different and so much stronger an experience is that element of risk, that you are staking your life on your judgement. There is the sense of discovery, both of your own limits and of places where noone has been before. There is the wonder of the beauty of the mountains and the strength of friendships, when your life is literally in your climbing partner's hands." --Sir Chris Bonington, from the foreword of The Climber's Handbook For both beginners and experienced climbers, The Climber's Handbook offers a practical guide to all forms of climbing, from bouldering and sport climbing to scaling alpine peaks. Mountaineer Garth Hattingh discusses techniques, equipment, safety, and methods of navigation, as well as climbers' responsibility to maintain the climbing environment. Also includes entertaining profiles of some of the world's leading climbers. Garth Hattingh has been climbing for more than 30 years. He has been chairman of the South African Guides Association, and national officer of the training and development arm of the Mountain Club of South Africa.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hattingh, an experienced rock climber and mountaineer, has written a thorough and up-to-date handbook for the growing sport. And "handbook" is the operative word here, because while this is comprehensive in scope, it necessarily lacks the depth it could offer for each facet of climbing. Included are histories of climbing, with notable first ascents, biographies of notable climbing pioneers and contemporaries, geology, climbing techniques thoroughly illustrated with drawings and excellent color photos and equipment carefully illustrated and explained. Separate chapters treat sport, traditional, big wall, snow and ice, and alpine climbing and expeditions. Eleven years ago, another Climber's Handbook was reviewed in these pages (LJ 5/1/87), and libraries that purchased it should purchase this one also, as it updates a constantly changing sport. Highly recommended.AThomas K. Fry, Univ. of Denver Lib.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Garth Hattingh has been involved in climbing and other related adventure activities for over 30 years. He has climbed extensively in Southern Africa, as well as in Europe and both North and South America. At the forefront of mountain leadership and rock climbing training in South Africa, he has also written the hugely successful Top Climbs of the World, as well as a couple of new titles, Adventure Sports: Rock and Wall Climbing and Extreme Rock and Ice: 25 of the World's Great Climbs (both published by New Holland). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811727068
• ISBN-13: 978-0811727068
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,839,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, all around handbook for climbing., June 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Climber's Handbook (Paperback)

This handbook is exceptionally readable. It contains a comprehensive dictionary of terms, tools, and techniques. The format is easy to follow. The graphics for tying knots and using the various climbing aids are clear and understandable. The photographs are excellent.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for beginners who have no idea on climbing., July 26, 2000

By 

evan (N.Y. /U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Climber's Handbook (Paperback)

I think this book will help out the beginner in climbing from indoor to ice climbing. This book covers indoor, sport, traditional, mountin, and ice climbing or glacer climbing. It also covers the equipment needed for every type of climbing,as well as knoting rope,hand grips and foot grips.this book explains on how to place the equipment in cracks and in the ice.also there is a section on first aid and reading maps. The drawings are good for illustration on techneiques. the photos are all in color. this book has help me understand what to expect in rock climbing and i have never done rock climbing. the only thing is that the glossery wasnt big and it did help but not much only because information was all in the book. so if you have no idea on what is rock climbing i defitnitly suggest you get this book.