The Complete Guide to Rope Techniques, 2nd: A Comprehensive Handbook for Climbers (Guide to Series) Paperback – Illustrated, September 1, 2007

Informative.

Really good book series

I use this as a required textbook in my subject in a tertiary class in Australia. The students & I like it as it gives clear and concise explanations and photos. I would recommend it to all novices and those wanting to take their climbing further.

Overall a really well written and comprehensive guide covering basic climbing/mountaineering knots, belays, anchors, rope systems (hoists, jumars, etc.), and rescue systems, among other things. This is a rather concise guide, however, and for the beginner or novice this is perhaps not the most expansive or explanatory introductory text. It will not, however, be beyond the comprehension of novices to climbing and mountaineering, but could serve as a good complimentary reference (and a highly portable one at that). For those seeking an SPA or MIA, this is an especially handy reference, as the author specifically points out likely scenarios and problems, as well as offering advice for solutions. The advice, further, is introduced to facilitate consideration of ways to solve problems in general, not as rote static exam-prep (i.e. to solve situation x apply solution y). Again, a fantastic pocket guide and quick reference piece to all things rope!

Written by a Brit, so some of the terminology is quite different from common U.S. usage, and the references are largely to European contexts; as I am not planning extensive overseas climbing right now, this is pretty useless. Also structured badly: for example, the very first knot it teaches is the clove hitch (why?), and right away the author mentions backing it up with a double stopper knot without further explanation - the double stopper knot is eventually introduced half way through the entire chapter. I generally found it difficult to understand the details of the knots chapter, as there are many unclear detours; for example, the book introduces the "fisherman's knot", and suddenly starts talking about the benefits of the "fisherman's knot with reef knot", without any indication if the plain fisherman's knot is a safe knot to use or when to use it. Reading this book felt like a waste of time.