Climbing on the Bookshelf

Fifty Classic climbs of North America (winner of the 1995 AAC literary award) a.k.a. "The Book" is one of the most influential guide books of its time and even still used today! This interview with the authors Steve Roper (Camp 4 & Ascent) and Alan Steck (A Mountaineers life & Ascent) is hosted by Jim McCarthy (known for his influence with ice climbing and Proboscis back in '63) is courtesy of the...

David Smart is known for his historical climbing biographies and in depth research on his subjects. Paul Preuss, Emilio Comici and now Royal Robbins gets the Smart treatment, all being pioneers of their age and paving the way for future generations of climbers by pushing the limits of what is possible. We talk about his past work and his love of climbing and climbing writing and his new book on Ro...

Mimi Zieman has treated frozen limbs on the highest mountain, delivered triplets near the deepest ocean trench, tap danced through Broadway studios, and has been a suburban mom of three – all experiences that have prepared her for new challenges. Her latest challenge, writing Tap Dancing on Everest, about the risks we take to become our truest selves. A small team of four climbers would attempt a...

In the 1950's and 60's Yosemite Valley was the centre of the rock climbing universe. Camp 4 was the gathering place for the "Golden Age" of Yosemite climbing. Steve Roper lived in Yosemite Valley for nearly 10 years, this is his story from the inside of that era. In 1967 he co founded the Sierra Club magazine "Ascent" with Allen Steck, he was the author of and "Fif...

We go again with Deucey to chat about his research for his two volumes of work "Mechanical Advantage, Tools for the wild vertical". Kindly and readily available to download as a PDF or to order and own an actual copy of the volumes (for those of you that prefer actual things!). Then eventually moving onto another use for his Portaledge design, Rain forest activism.💪 AWESOME!! Volume 1 : https://w...

John "Deucey" Middendorf is one of the 80's & 90's big wall pioneers and has climbed all over the world from Baffin Island to El Cap to Pakistan. His Portaledge design revolutionised big wall climbing and has had many iterations and what he is perhaps best know for, although he has made many other types of gear. In Two parts (just like his new research volumes) we delve a little into his past, por...

Katie Quinn AKA The Sports Librarian reviews and recommends sports literature online. Her real passion is the outdoors and mountaineering literature where I chatted to her about this, and other stuff too! Listen out for some really great recommendations of mountaineering books, films and podcasts. Her favourite book is the episodes picture. You can catch up with Katie on most socials @thesportslib...

Katie Ives is a renowned writer in the international climbing community, her first book is Imaginary Peaks the Riesenstien Hoax and other climbing dreams where she details the mystery of the Hoax within the larger view of climbing history and the seemingly endless search for newly discovered peaks and claims of first ascents. Beautifully researched, the book also covers the wider field throughout...

"The World beneath their feet" is Scott Ellsworth's fourth book shifting his usual focus of lecturing at University of Michigan on Afroamerican and African studies, to the Himalayas, where a great summit race during the inter war years of the 1930's and 40's insued, leading up to the conquest of Everest in 1953 for the British expedition 1 day before Elizabeth was crowned Queen of England. You can...

A Feeling for Rock author and 2021 Banff Mountain Literature Award winner Sarah-Jane Dobner sits in her attic and then moves downstairs to chat about her book, inspiration for it and all things climbing.  You can buy her book from her website and for the keen eyed people, you can see her socks!  https://dobdobdob.co.uk/a-feeling-for-rock/ Also look out for her friend Sandro Gromen-Hayes...

A harrowing tale from Elisabeth Revol whilst summiting Nanga Parbat about her emotional rollercoaster ride from tragedy, survival, guilt and a tribute to her climbing partner Tomek (Tomasz Mackiewicz). You can purchase the book from herehttps://www.adventurebooks.com/products/to_live?_pos=1&_psq=to%20live&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=40705575551181  You can also see the talk Natalie Berry "To Live : Life...

Legendary Alpinist Kurt Diemberger is the last remaining living link to the golden age of first ascents of 8000m peaks in the 1950's and 60's. He is best known for his ascents of Broad Peak in 1957 and Dhaulagiri in 1960. Summits and Secrets concentrates on his early years and his rise in the mountaineering world up to that time, and a bit beyond! WOW!   There are also a few Youtube inte...

This episode is with the Writer and Mountaineer, Amy McCulloch. She has summited Aconcagua and Manaslu and found her inspiration for her new book "Breathless" just below the summit of Manaslu. She has also written numerous children's and young adult books, co-writing The Magpie Society with Zoe Sugg. If that wasn't enough she is also training to complete the Marathon Des Sables at the end of March...

Heather Dawe is the founder of Little Peak Press, a publishing company that aspires to make beautiful books that take you to the mountains and other wild lands. She is a runner, cyclist, artist, climber and also a full time mother. She has written and collaborated numerous books including "Waymaking" an anthology of women's adventure writing, art and poetry which was the winner of the Jon Whyte aw...

Accounts of Lionel Terray's passion for climbing and his involvement in the 1950 expedition to be the 1st to summit an 8000 metre peak....Annapurna. Was he the GOAT?   You can purchase the book from     https://www.mountaineers.org/books/books/conquistadors-of-the-useless (USA).    https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/conquistadors_of_the_useless?_pos=1&_psq=conquist&_ss=e&_v=1.0 @ClimbBookshel...

This episode I have a great chat with action sports presenter and commentator of the Red Bull X-Alps, The UIAA Ice Climbing world cup and all round adventure man Tarquin Cooper. We also talk a bit about mountaineering books too. Hope you enjoy? @adventuretarq  https://www.tarquincooper.com/  @redbullxalps https://www.redbullxalps.com/  @uiaamountains https://iceclimbing.sport/  @climbbookshelf   h...

UK climbing legend Paul Pritchard talks with me about his accident on the Totem Pole and his journey through life, recovery and acceptance, his "Rite of Passage" trek with his son and he has a new book out "The Mountain Path" AVAILABLE NOW from Vertebrate Publishing (UK).  https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/the_mountain_path?_pos=1&_psq=the%20mountain%20path&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=4070557430599...

An updated report on The Last Ride Project.  Objective 1 Complete!!!! Well done guys!!! Follow them on the social media sites below for pictures etc.  Also don't forget to check back in the new year when they will have info on their next summit bid. Instagram / TikTok - @thelastrideproject Strava - thelastrideproject Youtube - /thelastride Instagram / Twitter - @climbbookshelf

This one is for all you Everest and 8000m nuts. I sit down with Mick Conefrey and talk about his 1st ascents Trilogy and another book on the way next year too! Also what inspired him and what he thinks might happen in the future for mountain literature. You can order his current books from his website via the link. Look out for other books by Mick such as How to Climb Mont Blanc in a skirt, The Ad...

2 Adventurers, 7 Summits and 1 story to tell. Details of an exciting 3 year project involving climbing and skiing the 7 Summits and some paragliding thrown in for good measure, enjoy the ride! 🧗 ⛷ 🪂   Instagram / TikTok @thelastrideproject   Strava The Last Ride Project  YouTube /TheLastRide  Twitter / Instagram @climbbookshelf  Trips - Hereford Canoe Hire

Jon Krakauer's personal account of one of the 3 expeditions that summited Mount Everest in 1996. Leaving 8 dead, he tells the tale of human tragedy and endurance. You can buy the book from the publisher  https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jon-krakauer/into-thin-air/9781447200185 BUY MERCH HERE - https://ab9542.myshopify.com Follow me on socials @ClimbBookshelf or email me on climbingonthebookshe...

UK Climbing's Factor Two host Wil Treasure talks with me about his favourite mountain literature, his first books and about other climbing related chat too! His choice of book....."Lets Go Climbing" by Colin Kirkus.  You can listen to his podcast Factor Two about climbing and outdoor adventure.   https://factortwo.co.uk/ https://wiltreasure.co.uk/   @wil.treasure @ClimbBookshelf or climbingonthebo...

Doug Scott's account of the first ascent and descent of The Ogre (Baintha Brakk) in the Karakoram mountains and some interesting history lessons thrown in for good measure!  Many thanks to Vertebrate Publishing for the use of the extracts and you can order a copy from here  https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/the_ogre?_pos=1&_psq=the%20ogre&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=40705574568141 @climbbookshelf c...

A classic french novel from the Chamonix valley. If you dont buy the book the queen of the cows will get you! Buy the book from Vertabrate Publishing and not from the Other place! https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/first_on_the_rope?_pos=1&_psq=first%20on%20the%20rope&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=40705559232717 @climbbookshelf climbingonthebookshelf@gmail.com

Jon Krakauer's account of one man's tragic tale and journey into the heart of the Alaska wilderness to live off the land and live a life of independence.  Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for allowing me to read the extracts. Head over to their site to order a copy at  https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jon-krakauer/into-the-wild/9780330453677  and you can read about Bus142 here  https://www.uaf.edu...