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 enlarge | Author: The Mountaineers
Creators: Steven M. Cox, Kris Fulsaas
Publisher: Mountaineers Books
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $13.77
You Save: $16.18 (54%)
New (22) Used (12) from $6.88
Avg. Customer Rating:  66 reviews
Sales Rank: 13823
Media: Paperback
Edition: 7
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 575
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.2 x 1.8
ISBN: 0898868289
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.522
EAN: 9780898868289
ASIN: 0898868289
Publication Date: September 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: NEW PAPERBACK SHELF DUST 7TH EDITION (JH)ISBN:0898868289
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| Customer Reviews:
Experience the Freedom of the Hills !!! December 28, 2007
I purchased this book after recently jumping into the sport of rock climbing. This book is a great guide on many of the fundamentals of camping, hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and the outdoors in general. Freedom of the Hills is a very easy book to read and find information easily. There are many diagrams illustrating techniques, knots, and equipment. I was very impressed with this book and will take it with me on all my outdoor adventures from now on!
Amazing book, review from a newb to mountaineering November 23, 2007
It is an easy read and has such great information. Aside from technical skills, the first section of the book is great for learning aspects of wilderness travel and camping in general. I have been backpacking for over four years now but have learned so much from this book. Sample packing lists are given, which I find very useful. Map reading is addressed in great detail as well as any other aspect of wilderness travel you can think of. I have yet to get to the first aid section but have no reason to believe it won't be any less impressive.
I have just recently began learning knots and other technical aspects of climbing. Prior, I have just bouldered and top roped. This book has taken my learning to a new level. Diagrams are given to aid in knot learning and a brief description tells when to use the knot and what type of material should be used (1" webbing, 9/16" webbing, perlon, etc).
With hopes of one day summitting a formidable peak (Denali), this book is going to help so much! I have only read 7 chapters or so, yet feel like I've learned as much as most other books would have to offer. I highly recommend this book to anyone, new to the sport or just looking for a reference material. For $25, there is no better investment to your climbing career. Good luck and have fun!
Corey
 Very useful and informative; some shortfalls October 20, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a very useful and informative book, though lacking in some areas. The text, in places, seems to reflect the authors' preferences, rather than conveying the broader perspective of climbers. The author of the navigation section is clearly a good navigator, but not an expert. Early in the section he says to never build rock cairns to mark the path. Then later on in the same section he suggests building them. I think a lot of experienced people would question that one either way. He also states that a compass without a baseplate is unsuitable for mountaineering. Never mind the fact that military professionals and explorers have gotten along well without baseplate compasses for centuries, and still do today. I rarely use the baseplate on my compass. He says nothing about using protractors, which are actually easier. You can take the map in one hand and a UTM/protractor card in the other, and quickly find bearings. Using a baseplate compass requires both hands to turn the azimuth, takes longer, and provides less accurate results. A military compass works better in low-light conditions, and only requires one hand to take a quick bearing. It also works anywhere in world. Doesn't seem like a big deal, unless you've tried to take bearings on top of a windswept and snow-covered ridge with mittens on both hands; and your map's trying to blow away. I use a baseplate compass and a protractor, mainly because the military compass doesn't have a clinometer. Some think having two devices is more complicated. I disagree. But in any case, it should be mentioned. Disappointing, especially when the author acknowledges that navigation is a central topic to the whole book. The book doesn't even mention Telemark skis, lumping them with Nordic gear, which is quite different. The author is probably a Randonee gear adherent. This is a very useful text, though it's not sufficient by itself. Definitely worth the money if you're getting into mountaineering. A good buy for hikers and rock climbers too. You won't regret buying it. It's a good intro, but ultimately you just need to get experience, and figure out what works best for you.
Outstanding October 2, 2007
This is the absolute best book any aspiring mountaineer could dream of. It reads like a plain english text book covering all aspect of mountaineering. It is detailed, specific, and contains many helpful diagrams. I rented it from the library first and was so impressed I wanted a copy for myself.
nice book August 21, 2007
0 out of 5 found this review helpful
I had glanced at the book before, so I knew what I was purchasing. The book was in great condition (a few very minor tears in the cover, like the seller said was possible) and was delivered when the seller said it would be delivered. Thanks!
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