| If you plan to climb outdoors, whether it's trad | | | | accidentally stray onto an E1. That's fine if you're |
| routes or sport bolted routes, the humble climbing | | | | an E1 leader, but if you're not you're in trouble! |
| book is an essential piece of equipment you | | | | Most modern climbing books are superb and |
| should never go climbing without. | | | | feature a wealth of useful information, including: |
| Rock climbers have been using route guides since | | | | - Photographs featuring the routes |
| the 1900s. In the early days of rock climbing, | | | | - Detailed step by step descriptions of the routes |
| routes were recorded with sketches and hand | | | | - Maps showing you how to find the crags |
| written notes which would be meticulously copied | | | | - Detailed descriptions of the crags including |
| by hand. Very few people had access to these | | | | aspect, altitude and the type of rock |
| guides, making it extremely difficult for beginners | | | | - Information on the characteristics of the routes |
| to get started. Nowadays we are spoiled with | | | | (like whether they are well or poorly protected) |
| easy access to climbing books which | | | | There are some brilliant publishers creating top |
| comprehensively cover most of the climbed rock | | | | quality climbing guide books, my favourite include: |
| faces throughout the world. | | | | Ground Up, ROCKFAX and Vertebrate Publishing. I |
| Unless you are in the business of setting new | | | | use their guide books extensively and have found |
| routes, a rock climbing book is the best way to | | | | them to be incredibly useful on my climbing |
| ensure you don't stray off route. Staying on your | | | | expeditions. |
| chosen climbing route is vital for staying safe. For | | | | I have published several climbing book reviews on |
| example, you might start a Vdiff route and | | | | my UK rock climbing blog. |