CLIMBING - Click on Book link to purchase
Title Author Description
Climbing Mt. Shasta Steve Lewis The definitive guide for climbing this Northern California masterpiece of a mountain. Pre trip preparation, gear lists, and seasonal climbing conditions offered. This book is a great introduction for novices, those new to climbing and even experienced climbers in regards to what is involved with a climb of Mt. Shasta. Climbing Mt. Shasta focuses in detail on the most popular route, Avalanche Gulch. Enjoy glissading tips and tricks. This was the book we purchased before our first summit bid in the late 90's. 
Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season Nick Heil Ten years after the infamous events of 1996, another climbing season on earth's tallest mountain produces controversy. If you enjoyed Into Thin Air (see below), you will surely be gripped by the clutches of this book. It is a fast paced read in which you are quickly immersed in the world of extreme altitude mountaineering and the fine line decisions that climbers & guides have to make on the spur of the moment. A Beck Weathers type survival story is one of the uplifting parts of this book.
High & Wild Galen Rowell A collection of short, mostly mountain & rock climbing stories. Join now deceased famed photographer Galen Rowell on his International adventures ranging from the icy slopes of an Alaskan range to formidable routes in the great Himalayas. As expected from a photographer of Rowell's caliber, spectacular photos accompany the stories. At the time of his untimely death in a plane crash near Bishop California, he was one of America's greatest outdoor photographers.
Into Thin Air Jon Krakaeur Describes the events of the Everest Tragedy in 1996. This is a high altitude struggle for survival that involves mortality as well as one man's amazing survival for a night unsheltered above 27,000 feet after he was left for dead. We were in the Everest base camp area 3.5 months before these awful events took place.
Mountains of Africa Duncan Souchon Often "mountains", are not usually mentioned in the same breath when discussing Africa. Jungles, big game, safari, sand dunes, sure - but not mountains! And if a mountain is mentioned it is always Mt. Kilimanjaro. This book debunks any myths that Africa is flat and or completely covered in jungles. Pictures of jagged snow and ice covered mountains could be taken anywhere in the world. Mountains of Africa covers in depth the major mountains, rifts and ranges. Many of these are located in Eastern Africa and the North. A nice map in the beginning shows all the mountains that are spotlighted. Highlights include the mountains of Eastern Africa, the Ethiopian highlands and the Atlas Mountains. There is great accompanying photography. This makes a fine small coffee table book.
Touching the Void Joe Simpson In our opinion, probably the most amazing mountaineering survival story of all time. Two climbers set out to climb a 6,000+ meter peak in the Cordillera Huayash range in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. An accident befalls one of the climbers and his partner makes a life or death choice. We've climbed a number of times in this part of the Andes - these are some of the most spectacular mountains in the world!

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