Hazards in mountaineering [Hardcover]

W Paulcke (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 161 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press; First edition. edition (1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195197186
• ISBN-13: 978-0195197181
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,616,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Early text on avalanches, among other mountaineering challenges., June 5, 2009

By 

F. Felix "FF" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Hazards in Mountaineering: In April 1885, the first book ever to outline the hazards of mountaineering appeared. Emil Zsigmondy, a 24 year-old doctor and "guideless Viennese mountaineer", produced this comprehensive work that included detailed avalanche information, then promptly fell to his death on La Meije. The book passed to his family and later editions were produced by his brothers.

In the early 1910's, William Paulcke, a geologist and minerologist, was asked to update the book. This 500 page version stood as a standard avalanche text well into the 60's, even though the last edition appeared way back in 1933. Even though much of the information is outdated, in my opinion Paulcke is still the one who best describes wind slabs, referring to both windward and leeward packing. These early editions are few and far between and not much use unless you speak German.

In 1969, Helmut Dumler met with the family and publishers. The resulting updated, translated and condensed edition (on left) contains beautiful photos of the Alps before the glaciers receded, shots of skiers getting knocked over by small, "harmless" avalanches and such "modern" tools as avalanche cords and "avalanche magnets"--apparently an early beacon prototype.