Author: Pete Hill

Publisher: Cicerone
ISBN: 978-1-85284-529-2

Pete Hill, who has climbed in many continents and countries across the world, is the holder of the MIC award and has been delivering rock and mountain sports courses at the highest level for a number of years.

Pete lives in Scotland and has two daughters. He is a frequent contributor to a variety of magazines and websites. He also co-author of the successful The Mountain Skills Training Handbook amongst other published books .

Rock climbing is a great skill to have, it can take you places you never imagined and is hugely rewarding especially when you arrive at the top of your ascent. It is one of those sports that have been around for years, a hugely popular pastime, so this book is just perfect for those of you who are leaders or seconds.

This book on technical skills is one that every experienced rock climber must have. It is important to know all there is about this sport and Pete Hill makes sure you know exactly that.

From the very basic instructions through to more skilful stuff, Hill helps make us climbing enthusiasts prepared for anything. He warns although this activity can be hugely fun and most popular, it is best to be safe and always make sure you carry a rope. Therefore the first section of this book is dedicated to those essential pieces of equipment all climbers must have. From helmets through to of course, ropes.

Did you know rope comes in a variety of different sizes and colours. Every climber has his/her idea of which is the best type to begin with. It can all become a little puzzling if you’re the one who is uncertain - so fear not, Hill is here to explain just which is the best to use.

Also how should you carry a rope? The best way is by “flaking”. Don’t know what that is? Hill will explain all there is to know in a clear and simple way.

Once you’ve read through the first section, the next part of this book is about “tying on”. It may sound easy to some, but tying on a rope to your harness is not the easiest thing to do. Plus you need to make sure you tie it exactly right, one slip up and it could result in the whole climb becoming so much harder. It can also result in taking much longer and you don’t want to be climbing up a sheer rock face in the pitch black do you?

There is a handy column also included showing you the grades of rock climbing in simple steps to understand. From Easy through to Hard Very Severe. It is clear that this just isn’t any old sport, it requires a serious skill.

Throughout this book are useful tips to the climber. I won’t tell you them, you’ll have to read this gem and discover them for yourself.

There are also photo diagrams of how-to which give you an even more of a better idea what to do. There are some snapshots of climbers in action - highly gripping stuff. The photography is brilliant. I particularly liked the picture of the “Supercrack of the Desert” a mountain found in Moab, Utah in America.

You can get the right idea of just how dangerous rock climbing can be from this handy sized book but it is full of good information for leaders and seconds or in fact anyone who wishes to extend the skills they already have.

An excellent instruction manual.

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts: Jessica has been a book reviewer for a newspaper and a national women's magazine and is working on a novel. To read more of Jessica's reviews CLICK HERE 

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