Customer Reviews

Speed Climbing!, 2nd: How to Climb Faster and Better (How To Climb Series)

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I'm one of the authors and I want to explain the changes in this new edition. This book is about 25 pages longer, has an expanded history section, more general and global speed records, and all new speed climbing vignettes. In addition the book has expanded and updated information and some minor typographical errors corrected. A new detailed speed climbing topo is included as well. Oh, and it has a much better cover photo: Hans on the Nose. There are also some new photos in the book.

When I wrote the first version of this book, I was only speed climbing shorter, easy routes. Since then I've used mine book to raise the bar and in 2002 I climbed the Nose on El Capitan in just under 22 hours. This stuff really works, but much more important, it can be very fun and reasonably safe.

In this second edition, the professional climber and record-holder Florine and the experienced amateur Wright add refinements to their combined, incomparable knowledge about rock and mountain climbing. There's instruction and techniques for "simul-climbing" (climbing with a partner) and solo climbing. Illustrations vary from photographs of climbers enjoying the sport to detailed diagrams of crucial aspects of techniques and safety measures. The two authors bring in the challenges and exhilarations of climbing while also pointing out its hazards and stressing precautions to follow for safety. An expert manual by experienced climbers.

This book is not for the entry level climber. It does provide good tips for speeding up the amount of time you spend on the route. As a bonus, plenty of stories are provided which make for entertaining reading.