Customer Reviews

Sierra Classics: 100 Best Climbs in the High Sierra (Regional Rock Climbing Series)

5 star:		(1)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The excellence of this book is due to three things, in addition to the fine quality of the writing.

First, by concentrating on an arguably "100 best climbs", not only does the reader learn useful route information but the authors have distilled here some of the best climbs the Sierra has to offer. Second, the format of a single page of route description and history, faced with a (usually outstanding) photograph of the mountain, really whets one's appetite for the climb! Third, most route descriptions are obviously left a little vague on purpose, leaving you some thrill of discovery if you attempt the climb.

I am familiar with a number of the routes described in the book, and the authors have done a fine job of selection. There are many excellent ones to choose from, no matter what your taste.

I have used this book for several years and climbed a handful of the climbs listed in the book. The topos and route descriptions are helpful, but plain wrong in several instances. Having this guide is better than having nothing but you will quickly learn to take the information with a grain of salt.

Don't get me wrong, I never expect to have every inch of a climb laid out, but the book has increased the adventure factor on a few occasions.

My 2c

This is a pretty good guidebook. The publisher (Chockstone Press) is the best I have used, and the durability of construction is second to none. The book contains a nice history, as well as some other essentials for the climber interested in visiting this area. I was disappointed with the topographic climbing maps (some routes have them, some do not), as they are not very detailed or easy to read, however, they are adequate and there is nothing better on this area out there (that I have seen). The text route descriptions are good enough to use with the topo's to find your way up and down. Overall, I think this is a good guidebook, yet it needs to be updated perhaps to include better climbing topo maps as well as one for each route listed. azdz@mindspring.com