Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board mountaineering literature

A few of the boards more expereienced members gave the name of a book awhile back for someone wanting to learn about winter mountaineering. I can't seem to find the thread. Any ideas?

Rgrds

I think the book you want to read--as in really study and practice--is "MOUNTAINEERING The FREEDOM of the HILLS." It covers every aspect of winter climbing, glacier travel, etc. Don't leave home without it!

Sweet Book! I highly recommend it.

I agree, and recommend it to all that take my climbing or mountaineering classes.

Be aware that a new edition, 8th, I think has just come out. I have seen the 7th still being sold in stores and online. The new edition has some great updates, and that'd be the one you want.

I just thumbed through the new version of "Freedom..." and from what I can see many of the pictures have been updated( What, they no longer look like a 5 year old drew them?) and some content has been added of course.

To my suprise, One shelf down from " Freedom" was Doug's book "Mountain Lore...". I never thought an REI would carry this book, I thought it was only available from the Whitney Store.
The book was very well done and I had a good time looking through it.

As for other literature, I just cracked "High Odyssey" the story of the first solo winter assault of Whitney by Orlan Barthlomew. So far it's very interesting. The book is putting me in a hiking mood. I can't wait for the snow to start melting, I wanna get out and hike, hike, hike.

Ken - Are you sure about the 8th edition. I just updated to the 7th edition several weeks ago and looked at the copyright dates. 7th edition was put out in 2003.

Spinefixr is right. I just checked my copy and a few other sites on the Internet. The seventh edition was released in Spetember 2003 and is the most recent version of this classic book. There does not appear to be an eigth addition available now or in the next few years.

Indeed, you guys are right. I should have said be sure to get the 7th edition, not the 6th, which I have still seen being sold.

"ppreciate you catching the confusing mistake.