Rock Climbing (Outdoor Pursuits Series) [Paperback]

Phil Watts (Author), Phillip Baxter Watts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1996 | Series: Outdoor Pursuits Series

Suitable for beginners, an introduction to rock climbing which explains equipment and provides instruction needed for safe climbs. Features a glossary of rock climbing terms and a description of some of the best pitches around the world. From the OUTDOOR PURSUITS series.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A complete text of the adventure sport of rock climbing. Very detailed and descriptive chapters will educate the beginner as well as the advanced climber. Phil Watts adds a unique and personal touch to make this a valuable addition to any climber’s library."

Bill Thompson BS and MS, outdoor recreation Owner, Side Treks Outdoor Adventures

"This book will offer the novice climber a springboard for adventure. Don’t leave this one on the shelf."

Pat Adams Professional Rock Climber

About the Author

Phil Watts has instructed hundreds of rock climbers through various outdoor programs and university courses.

Introduced to rock climbing in 1979, Phil since then has completed many outdoor adventure courses, including an 8-day Technical Rock Climbing course at the Canadian Outward Bound Mountain School, a 31-day North Cascades Mountaineering course at the National Outdoor Leadership School, and an 8-day Technical Ice Climbing course at the American Alpine Institute. He has extensive climbing experience on many surfaces, including granite, sandstone, basalt, and other rock types.

After earning both a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education (1973) and a master’s degree in physical education from East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, Phil completed a PhD in exercise physiology (1980) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Since 1983 his research has focused on mountaineering and rock climbing.

Phil has developed and taught his own outdoor adventure programs and courses and presented several workshops and colloquiums on the physiological aspects of rock climbing. His work has appeared in such publications as the Journal of Sports Sciences, the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, Summit, and Rock & Ice.

Phil resides in Marquette, Michigan where local climbers have even named a crag after him--Phil’s Hill. He’s an avid cross-country skiing competitor and enjoys hiking and camping with his wife, Annette, and their daughter, Salem.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873228146
• ISBN-13: 978-0873228145
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,052,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great for beginning courses., December 6, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Rock Climbing (Outdoor Pursuits Series) (Paperback)

Rock Climbing is an excellent resource for beginning courses offered through high school and university programs. The text is full color and includes many exciting photographs by noted climbing photographers and very nice artist renderings of gear and techniques. All the basics for getting started are covered. The text describes techniques and methods for Traditional and Sport Leading as well as for Top-roping routes. Information on specific training for climbing is provided and one chapter even presents a mini-guide to some of the best areas around the world. Of course, I am a bit biased since I wrote the book

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Beginners, December 11, 2000

By 

Anthony O'Krongly (Arlington, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock Climbing (Outdoor Pursuits Series) (Paperback)

A picture is worth 1000 words and this book uses color pictures well. The book is fairly short, but covers the subject with concise grace. I am a rank beginner. My first climb was 3 days ago, my second was yesterday (both indoors). I took my 3 year old and 10 year old yesterday and they loved it! In the past 2 days I've read 5 books on climbing, and so far this has been the best.

I read a 250 page "textbook" on climbing, and only saw about 10% that I cared about right now. At this point I really don't want to know 75 different ways to wrap a rope around my body to rappel. (you know what I mean?) Teach me something fast, show me some good graphics. Get me started on the right foot! That's what this book does in spades.

The author's best use of pictures are to show both the right way and the wrong way to do something (like run rope through a 'biner). Also, I have done alot of equipment pricing over the past few days, and this book is DEAD ON when it comes to costs of climbing equipment and accessories.

This book is everything the beginner needs to start crawling up walls, just make sure you have a belay partner so you don't kill yourself. :-)