Good Books
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Hello everyone. |
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Walnut wrote:My friend isn't a mountaineer, more of a boulder-climber, which is where i was going with the Messner-alpinest thing. Any advice?I really enjoyed Enduring Patagonia by Gregory Crouch. It's a fantastic read, well written and covers plenty of the technical aspects of climbing but also is a good traveller's book through that part of the world. Also these: Early Days in the Range of Light - D. Arnold Psychovertical - A. Kirkpatrick - haven't read the entire thing. The parts I have read were entertaining Minus 148 Degrees - A. Davidson Beyond the Mountain - S. House Annapurna - M. Herzog White Spider - H. Herrer The Seven Mountain-Travel Books - H.W. Tilman edited: no snarkiness intended. Just trying to figure out what you might be looking for. |
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D.Buffum wrote: The most important book for any climber to own is Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills. It's not just for mountaineers. THough since your friend is a boulderer, you might look at John Gill: Master of Rock. A classic.Thanks, D. Buffum. I appreciate it--those both look exceptionally good. |
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Type 'best literature' in the MP search. It's the 4th topic down. |
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jfs wrote: I'm not sure if I'm understanding what you're going for here. He's not into mountains so you ARE thinking of getting him a book by Messner? Regardless, I really enjoyed Enduring Patagonia by Gregory Crouch. It's a fantastic read, well written and covers plenty of the technical aspects of climbing but also is a good traveller's book through that part of the world. Also these: Early Days in the Range of Light - D. Arnold Psychovertical - A. Kirkpatrick - haven't read the entire thing. The parts I have read were entertaining Minus 148 Degrees - A. Davidson Beyond the Mountain - S. House Annapurna - M. Herzog White Spider - H. Herrer The Seven Mountain-Travel Books - H.W. TilmanNo, you're right, my terminology is crap. My thought process was just that since the guy is bouldering and rock climbing, but not mountaineering, that maybe the minimalist alpinist thing would be inspirational or something. Thank you for your suggestions. I'm just leafing through them now and they look pretty awesome. |
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Nothing technical here, just good short stories to read while resting between boulder problems. |
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I just discovered the mountaineering literature section in my local library and recently finished Climbing in North America by Chris Jones. It's a comprehensive history of mountaineering and technical rock climbing in the U.S. and Canada. The other gem I discovered was On Edge: The Life and Climbs of Henry Barber written by Chip Lee. It was written when he was only 28! It talks about his trips overseas as well as across the U.S. Great stuff and awesome historical photos in both books. |
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Walnut wrote:"Is there a list hanging around somewhere of good climbing books that are very good but also have good technical parts to them?"D.Buffum I think nailed it. Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills is a great book if he gets on rope, even if he's not "mountaineering" the book has many illustrations and techniques of knots and anchors, as well as other tricks from basic to advanced. I am currently going through that book and there is useful information everywhere! |
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jfs wrote: I really enjoyed Enduring Patagonia by Gregory Crouch. It's a fantastic read, well written and covers plenty of the technical aspects of climbing but also is a good traveller's book through that part of the world.+1 to Enduring Patagonia. It's a great read, and I think pretty accessible even to those who don't climb. I'd also suggest anything by David Roberts, but especially Mountain of My Fear or Mt. Deborah: A Wilderness Narrative. They're a bit older, but again, very well written accounts of early technical climbing in Alaska and a great historical perspective, especially Mountain of My Fear. |
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If you want something modern and technical rather than a bio, this might fit the bill: |
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If your friend likes to read really good writing, seek out anything by W.H. Murray. His descriptions of climbs are still source material for a lot of route descriptions all over Britain. There's no bouldering anywhere, but lots of "leader must not fall" stuff in some of the most eloquent, exquisite writing anywhere in any genre. "Mountaineering in Scotland" and "Undiscovered Scotland" are absolute gems. |
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Can't go wrong with Red Rock Odyssey |
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+1 for Minus 128 degrees |
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On Edge - The life and climbs of Henry Barber |
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Feel like im going on a henry barber rant after posting something else in another thread about him. I think his biography has some great stories that give you a glimpse into the his life at a young age and the poeple he met along the way. There were definitly some parts where my hands started to sweat! My only gripe with the book would be that it jumps around and is not completly organized in chronological order. It would have been cool if it was written a little later too as I'm sure he had some amazing adventures after the book was published. |
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No Picnic On Mt Kenya. Italian p.o.w's in world war two who escape and climb Mt. Kenya and return to prison camp. True story. Great book without the usual climber dribble. |
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Haven't seen this posted in any of the book threads, but if you can find a copy, the 30 Years of Climbing Magazine Anthology has a ton of great short stories. |
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Ryan Nevius wrote:THE Good BookAh, I think this is the climb that is on the cover of the 30 Years of Climbing Book. |
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I would be psyched if someone gave me one of these: |
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The Boys of Everest and The Villain. |