Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills
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ISBN13: 9780898868289Condition: NewNotes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Product Description
This sixth revised edition of the mountaineering classic is an essential reference for novices and experts alike. Chapters are devoted to in-depth discussions of outdoors fundamentals; climbing techniques for rock, snow, and ice; safety procedures and emergency response; geology and weather; and appendices for climb ratings and supplementary reading, among other topics. Detailed sections on navigation, ropes, knots, and protection include drawings, diagrams, and maps. Enjoy the freedom of the hills to the fullest with this thorough guide.
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
Exactly what everyone says it is
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Comment:
The end-all, be-all of knowledge needed for mountaineering. I got this book in preparation for a glacier mountaineering course with Mountain Madness, and it has provided a valuable foundation.
I also work at a rock climbing gym and have found the relevant sections spot-on! The explanations and depictions of proper grips and techniques are great, offering not only the way to hold the rock but how to plan your moves on the rock.
All around a great book.
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Summary:
Best Information for Backcountry Travel - Needs More on Rescue
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Comment:
This book was the primary text for an Intermediate Backcountry Skills course at Saratoga, California's West Valley College. If you're just starting to explore the backcountry and need an all-inclusive primer, it's pretty complete. The first 130 pages set the stage for beginners, and they're a good refresher for experienced backcountry travelers.
The climbing sections complement live instruction in belaying, rappelling and footwork on faces and cracks. They also give a clear explanation of knots for rescue and climbing. Course instructors provided no guidance on footwork and climbing skills since the course was aimed at backcountry rescue, so the book was a great help for a beginner to climbing.
The Glacier Travel chapter discusses useful self-rescue techniques that will get you out of trouble on rock as well as on glaciers. The Alpine Rescue chapter shows basic anchor construction, with diagrams much clearer than those on roped rescue with mechanical advantage systems in the Glacier Travel chapter.
There's also a good description of rope ascent with a Texas Prusik system.
There is no mention of brake/rappel racks, the best device for rappelling. The book presents the Figure Eight and the Munter hitch instead. Both are useful in rappeling, but a brake rack is the best way to control descent with a patient. A Rescue Eight (Figure Eight with ears) is easier to tie off than a basic Figure Eight, which also isn't mentioned.
Nowhere does the book explain principles of mechanical advantage systems. You'll need to take the word of the book that they just work, until you construct and use them in the field. As a former engineer, I wanted to know how.
There's a little better explanation in Tyson and Loomis' Climbing Self Rescue: Improvising Solutions for Serious Situations (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert) - it explains friction losses and the effect of moving pulleys in a mechanical advantage system, but could be clearer.
Overall, Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills is the backcountry traveler's bible. You'll want additional information if SAR is your interest, but it will get you started.
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Summary:
the climbers bible
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Comment:
this book is simple one of the books that must me on the book shelf of any, rock, mountain or ice climber. the freedom of the hills covers nearly everything from choosing equipment, to knot tying and from basic techniques, to planning an expedition it's all here in this essential reference book. though the next edition is scheduled to be released in September of this year and it will go more into conditioning plus detailed and extensive revisions to rescue and first-response, aid climbing, and waterfall and ice climbing. it is highly recommended to purchase this book and several more like it to learn as much as you can about climbing and mountaineering.
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Summary:
A comprehensive guide to all things mountaineering
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Comment:
MFOTH is a thorough and very comprehensive book about all things mountaineering. As someone who has recently gotten into rock climbing and snow travel, I've read and referred to many parts of this book several times to develop important skill sets. This book, plus critical hands-on instruction and experience, really helps prepare people for the more technical elements of the outdoors.
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Summary:
Must read
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Comment:
I have been hiking for a long time, but wanted to start using the more technical routes. So I bought this book on advise from my friends who do a lot of mountain climbing. I really liked the detail and depth that they cover each subject. While it is not a substitue for hands on training from a professional, it will accelerate your learning cruve when you start working with a professional.
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