Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills

Product Description “The definitive guide to mountains and climbing . . .”―Conrad Anker For nearly 60 years it’s been revered as the “bible” of mountaineering–and now it’s even better than ever The best-selling instructional text for new and intermediate climbers for more than half a century New edition―fully updated techniques and all-new illustrations Researched and written by a team of expert climbers Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the text beloved by generations of new climbers―the standard for climbing education around the world where it has been translated into 12 languages. For the all-new 9th Edition, committees comprosed of active climbers and climbing educators reviewed every chapter of instruction, and discussed updates with staff from the American Alpine Club (AAC), the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), and the Access Fund. They also worked with professional members of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), to review their work and ensure that the updated textbook includes the most current best practices for both alpine and rock climbing instruction. From gear selection to belay and repel techniques, from glacier travel to rope work, to safety, safety, and more safety―there is no more comprehensive and thoroughly vetted training manual for climbing than the standard set by Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, 9th Edition. Significant updates to this edition include: • New alignment with AAC’s nationwide universal belay standard • Expanded and more detailed avalanche safety info, including how to better understand avalanches, evaluate hazards, travel safely in avy terrain, and locate and rescue a fellow climber in an avalanche • Newly revamped chapters on clothing and camping • All-new illustrations reflecting the latest gear and techniques―created by artist John McMullen, former art director of Climbing magazine • Review of and contributions to multiple sections by AMGA-certified guides • Fresh approach to the Ten Essentials―now making the iconic list easier to recall Review “The 2nd edition of Freedom of the Hills jump-started my climbing education. The manual’s content has kept pace with the evolution of the sport and should be considered mandatory reading for every mountain climber. This truly remarkable resource has no equal in any language.” -- Mark Twight “It is fair to say that Freedom is the definitive guide to mountains and climbing.” -- Conrad Anker “A notorious reference for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts!” -- Lynn Hill “The lessons I learned in the Mountaineers climbing course in 1945 stood me on the summit of Mount Everest in 1963. To see that knowledge put into a book was wonderful. That it has evolved into the best book on climbing, updated by active climbers, is remarkable. I have told many people, including my sons, ‘If you want to climb mountains, read Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. Then read it again so you know, for sure, how to get down.’ ” -- Jim Whittaker "The One Book Every New Climber Should Read", Gripped Magazine “In my early years of heading into the mountains I used Freedom of the Hills to learn how to calculate fuel needs for the backcountry, to study crevasse rescue, and in general to just muse about the alpine craft. Everyone should have a copy of this standard tome.” -- Kit DesLauriers “A ‘must have’ for any aspiring mountaineer’s library.” -- Ed Viesturs “If the mountains are my church, then Freedom is my bible. . . . As a very young climber I read it cover to cover, then dug through it again and again for nuggets of wisdom. I still do.” -- Will Gadd "It is fair to say that Freedom is the definitive guide to mountain and climbing." -- Conrad Anker “ Freedom is truly the Everest of mountaineering texts and a great preparation for a life wandering among high hills, including the big one itself.” -- Tom Hornbein “ Freedom does a remarkable job of staying not just current, but on