Climbing California's High Sierra, 2nd: The Classic Climbs on Rock and Ice (Paperback)

~ (Author), Claude Fiddler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Named the Range of Light by John Muir and rising 10,000 feet on its eastern side, California's High Sierra has attracted climbers for more than a century. These mountains are home to clean granite, easy approaches, and classic routes to the summits of the highest peaks in the continental United States. Climbing California's High Sierra provides the information needed to scale more than 100 of California's most challenging peaks. The climbs range from scrambles up Mount Stanford, to snow and rock routes on Red Slate Mountain, to technical routes on Mount Whitney. Look inside for detailed descriptions of routes, alternative routes, and descents. You'll also find: a brief history of climbing in the Sierra; descriptions of first ascents; maps, photos, drawings, and photo overlays of routes. Use this guide to discover the rewards and challenges of climbing California's High Sierra. (6 x 9, 448 pages, b&w photos, maps)

From the Back Cover

Named the Range of Light by John Muir and rising 10,000 feet on its eastern side, California's High Sierra has attracted climbers for more than a century. These mountains are home to clean granite, easy approaches, and classic routes to the summits of the highest peaks in the continental United States. Climbing California's High Sierra provides the information needed to scale more than 100 of California's most challenging peaks. The climbs range from scrambles up Mount Stanford, to snow and rock routes on Red Slate Mountain, to technical routes on Mount Whitney. Look inside for detailed descriptions of routes, alternative routes, and descents. You'll also find: a brief history of climbing in the Sierra; descriptions of first ascents; maps, photos, drawings, and photo overlays of routes. Use this guide to discover the rewards and challenges of climbing California's High Sierra. (6 x 9, 448 pages, b&w photos, maps)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Falcon; 2nd edition (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762710853
• ISBN-13: 978-0762710850
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #825,341 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The must have guide for all aspiring High Sierra climbers., January 14, 2002

By	C. Harris "Dingus Milktoast" (Elk Grove, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the 2nd edition of Moynier's and Fiddler's High Sierra "best of" guide. John Moynier and Claude Fiddler are very experienced Sierra climbers/guides with hundreds of routes and dozens of firsts to their respective credits. The authors have painstakenly selected over 100 outstanding routes ranging from moderate class 3 peak bagging exercises to Grade V walls and Grade VI linkup routes. The represented climbs are among the most popular and most sought after climbs in the range. Climbers of all skills and goals will benefit from this guide. They provide topos, verbal approach, climbing and descent descriptions and a rich historical perspective on climbing in the Range of Light.

Improvements in this guide include more detailed topos, a larger selection of alternate routes, more historical anecdotes, and a refined selection of climbs.

While this book is an excellent stand alone guide, many climbers would benefit from RJ Secor's Peaks, Passes and Trails as a companion guide.

I rate this book 5 of 5. Most climbing guidebooks are dry material... just the facts Ma'am. But this one colors all of the technical data with stories of old heros and epic struggles. Buy it so these guys will be tempted to write more!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More a collection of anectodes than a guide book, April 27, 2004

By A Customer

This book is more a collection of climbing history and anectodes than a profound guide book. In particular for easier climbs (less than 5.9) the technical route description is usually less than 2 sentences. Consistent information on wall height, number of pitches, typical climbing times, rock quality and necessary gear are missing completely. Only for some routes (mostly rated 5.10a or higher or very popular ascents in the Mt. Whitney range) handdrawn topos are provided that let you guess some of the details in advance. The only valuable information available for EVERY route is a photo of the mountain with the line of ascent.

In case of a third edition the authors should familiarize with international standards. A more formal approach will prevent neglecting the large number of climbs that they have NOT done by themselves.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a keeper, December 13, 2005

By	Bob Rockwell (Ridgecrest, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is actually the second edition to "Sierra Classics: 100 Best Climbs in the High Sierra," although it has a new name. I gave the first one 5 stars and I feel just as strongly about this one. There has been some minor tweaking of the route selections, but the total number described is about the same.

There is more narrative in this edition, and it is smoother reading. Way more than just a guide book, the many historical notes make the book very entertaining reading. I think that many people, picking it up to find out about a particular peak or route, will extend their visit and end up reading it cover to cover.

There are more topos than before, and rock climbers will appreciate that. Personally, I prefer the thrill of discovery in the Sierra, and would rather work out the details on my own.

As with the first edition, I am familiar with a number of the routes described in the book, and the authors have done a fine job of selection. While most of them are 5th class, class 3 and 4 climbs are also represented. So there is something for everyone.