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A volunteer is sought to assume complete editorial control of the Club’s quarterly Newsletter from the end of 2011, soliciting content, selecting that which is most appropriate, liaising with our proof-reader and interfacing directly with the graphics designer who takes care of layout. If this challenge is of genuine interest to you, please contact the Club Secretary via the AAC(UK) Office for further details.  

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  • Mountain Rescue Insurance: worldwide, without age limit and inclusive of repatriation;
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Book Review

Indoor Climbing

by Pete Hill, Cicerone Press, 2009,  ISBN 9781852845841, £12.95

 

 Anyone familiar with the extremely useful ‘Mountain Skills Training Handbook’ by Pete Hill and Stuart Johnston will know exactly what they will see when they turn the pages of Pete Hill’s ‘Indoor Climbing’ (published by Cicerone).  It is the same tried-and-tested mix of clear photos and straightforward prose.  This no-nonsense approach is perfectly suited to climbing in all of its guises.  Building on his substantial experience, Pete Hill gives the bottom line on all aspects of indoor climbing, from wall types to gear, bouldering to top roping, leading to dry tooling.  All of these topics are systematically introduced along with the appropriate technical skills and the useful notes, comments and opinions.

It is sometimes a little difficult to see who the book is aimed at as it covers the absolute basics (e.g. types of rock boot) but also has many tips for instructors.  It is the more experienced users of indoor facilities that are less likely to get much from the book – for example, the section on climbing techniques is somewhat spartan and certainly aimed at the novice, but expansion of this section to cover techniques for climbing steep overhangs or roofs for instance would broaden the appeal of the book. 
 Nevertheless, for anyone thinking of going to the climbing wall for the first time or for those of limited experience, it is a very useful read and will guide you expertly from being a novice to having a degree of familiarity.

Overall, ‘Indoor Climbing’ is a book that will benefit the novice and the budding instructor. It is a book that reflects how one would like to climb – simple, direct and efficient.

Dr David Mann

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Last updated 14 June 2010