Rock Climbing (Outdoor Pursuits Series)

By Phillip Baxter Watts

Book Overview

Whether you're a beginner bouldering a low-angled face or an experienced climber attempting to flash a route on-sight, >Rock Climbing> will help you explore one of the world's fastest growing activities safely and successfully.Author Phil Watts, an expert climber and instructor for more than 15 years, is an enthusiastic and insightful teacher. He covers the basic techniques in four styles of free rock climbing: bouldering, top-roping, traditional leading, and sport leading. The book contains 47 full-color photos that demonstrate correct climbing techniques for moving over rock faces, cracks, and overhangs. Readers also learn:- how to select proper equipment;- how to develop fitness and safety for enjoyable, injury-free rock climbing adventures;- where to find the best climbing in the United States and around the world;- how to use rock climbing terminology to communicate with fellow climbers; and- how rock climbing alternatives like competitive sport climbing, ice climbing, and alpine mountaineering can provide further adventure.After mastering the proper techniques of climbing, participants will be able to:- gradually build balance, strength, endurance, and flexibility;- enjoy both indoor and outdoor training;- add climbing to other outdoor activities like mountain biking and hiking; and- plan scenic, exciting adventures during getaways or vacations.>Rock Climbing> is more than a how-to book. It's a valuable reference source for climbing destinations, and it features a handy glossary of rock climbing terminology. It's also a perfect text for the many universities and clubs that offer rock climbing seminars and courses.This book is part of the Outdoor Pursuits Series from Human Kinetics. Like all the books in the series, >Rock Climbing> emphasizes safety, environmental responsibility, and-most of all-the fun of outdoor activity!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873228146
• ISBN13: 9780873228145
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Perfect for Beginners

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. :-)

This book is great for beginning courses.

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