Description of Mountaineers Books Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills

Craig Luebben has taught rock climbing basics to hundreds of clients and has conducted self-rescue clinics across the U.S. Here he presents the most common foot positions, hand grips, and body positions and how to use them precisely, from the smear to the crimp to the twistlock. Going beyond static moves, he emphasizes a dynamic style of movement for the greatest climbing efficiency-a style that makes the most of your strength and your time on the rock.

With an emphasis on safety and how to stay within your abilities, Luebben teaches how to evaluate potential hazards and then avoid them. Topics addressed include: risk management, face climbing, crack climbing, gear, knots, anchors, belaying, toproping, sport climbing, trad climbing, multi-pitch free climbs, rappelling, aid climbing, bouldering, training, and self-rescue.

Craig Luebben has been guiding professionally for more than twenty years. The author of How to Rappel!, How to Ice Climb!, and other titles, he has written for magazines including Climbing and Rock & Ice. He has opened many new routes on four continents. He currently serves on the board of the AMGA.

Part of the Mountaineers Outdoor Expert series.