Rock Climbing, 2nd Edition: Mastering Basic Skills (Mountaineers Outdoor Experts) Paperback – September 22, 2014

Guide, author and climbing gear inventor Craig Luebben's book won a National Outdoor Book award and it's well deserved. For anyone taking up rock climbing, or wanting to bring their knowledge up-to-date this is the book to start with.It's well organized and well-illustrated. Luebben starts the basics of pure climbing - footwork, holds and jams along with special climbing challenges like chimneys and off-widths (he's the Yoda of off-width climbing). Then he covers the gear you'll need like shoes, harness and ropes. He describes basic climber knots and working with ropes and slings. Then he talks about protection, natural and man-made.He tells you how to build anchors and keep your partner safe with proper belaying technique. He covers top-roping, sport climbing and the basics of traditional climbing including the approach, route-finding, setting pro and the physics and psychology of leading.. Later chapters introduce multi-pitch free climbing, descending and rappelling, bouldering and training for climbing. The concluding chapter explains how to avoid turning your climb into an epic by learning basic self-rescue techniques.This is by far the best, most up-to-date book on basic rock climbing. After you've read it (more than once) and practiced the skills he describes, get Luebben's book on building climbing anchors.Bill Becher

I began climbing in 1985. In 1992 and 1993, I had the fortune to become friends with Craig when he and Lizz Grenard opened the climbing wall at Health Works in Fort Collins, Colorado and brought me on as an on-staff belayer and then as route setter. Craig and Lizz taught me so much and took me from climbing 5.9s to redpointing a 5.13b. Craig used to lend me his ice gear when I was too broke to afford my own. We lost touch over the years and I was heartbroken to hear of his death a couple years ago. I am now introducing the sport to my girlfriend, and was thrilled when this book was listed first among my search results. I bought it in a heartbeat, knowing it would not disappoint. Craig was one of the foremost mountaineering guides around and will be missed. Those new to the sport are lucky he has passed on some of his knowledge in this book! Highly recommended to anyone just discovering the sport (of course - I am a bit biased ;-) )!

I am happy with the information of this book. I have been climbing on and off for over 9 years and can truly appreciate having this on hand to remind of what I forget (time to time) and some very worthwhile info that even experienced climbers have not offered me. I am not sure about the actual book, but the only weakness of the kindle edition is that the explanation for tying a knot and the corresponding pictures are not together and even seem to be out of order. One of the knots is described but not shown. I am not super upset as I intend to get a dedicated book for knots... but still frustrating. Overall... I cannot express how much I believe that this is a book that every beginner and intermediate climber will find useful and should include in their library. Happy climbing

I bought this book along with "Rock Climbing Anchors: A Comprehensive Guide" by the same author. And I just want to say that these books are terrific. A definite must for the bookshelf of anyone interested in climbing.This book is well written and details many anchoring systems, knots, climbing skills, etc. This book is great if you are interested in any sort of outdoor climbing and if you have any questions about just about any topic in rock climbing at all. And, for more seasoned climbers this book offers many technical tips and suggestions that may make you look at some things in a different (more helpful way).Bottom line: If you are going to be climbing at all, BUY THIS BOOK.

This is a very good book for anyone starting out in climbing. The book is written clearly and is a fairly easy read. The book's print quality is great! Although the images are black and white, they are still clear enough to understand and see what's going on. Furthermore, the book looks rather "complete." I mean it's hard to talk about everything but this book really makes a solid attempt at covering all of the bases. I would definitely recommend this book to someone starting out in climbing.I think all great books should be come in hardback because you will most likely keep them for a long time. I would have liked this book in hardback.

It's an easy read and it gives a lot of good information, but I think the illustrations were lacking. Especially the sections of tying knots (it seemed like he was missing steps at times) and equipment descriptions (he'd name off all sorts of gear, but not show a picture of each one). The pictures are in black and white, so it didn't seem like you'd have to try very hard to include lots of them.I wasn't thinking of using the book as a training manual, but I wanted to make sure I had the concepts right when taking my classes, so I would know the questions I needed to ask.

Luebben explains all the facets for a beginning rock climber to comprehend the complexities of climbing outdoors. This is an excellent resource for climbers who are ready to transition from the gym to the great outdoors and desire to "do some homework" before embarking on an outdoor adventure. I particularly appreciated the homework assignments at the end of each chapter. And while climbing is "inherently dangerous," the only way to really learn is get outside and safely and pragmatically apply these techniques.

If you want to know the AMGA standard way of doing all those things you have been doing wrong, this is a great buy. I wish more climbers would read the first 100 pages, because there are far too many who can't even manage to do a half-acceptable break under slide.Don't be that bad example at the climbing gym everyone avoids: buy this book and practice it!