A renowned reference guide that every climber and outdoor enthusiast should know!
—Lynn Hill, a celebrated rock climber widely regarded as one of the world’s leading competitive climbers, specializing in traditional climbing, competition climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering.

If there were only one authoritative book in the world that could guide both beginners and expert climbers, it would be “The Climbing Bible.” In fact, it has influenced every climber.
—Conrad Anker, American mountaineer who, in 1999, was the first to locate the remains of legendary British climber George Mallory on Mount Everest.

Everyone should own this landmark, comprehensive work.
—Kit DesLauriers, American ski mountaineer and the first person to ski down from the summits of all seven continents. Her exceptional ski-mountaineering skills earned her the title of National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2015, and in 2004 and 2005 she became the first woman to win the World Freeskiing Championship title twice in a row.

A must-read book for all climbers around the world.
—Gripped, a climbing magazine

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Recommendations from earlier editions:
When I was just a beginner, “The Climbing Bible” taught me countless “first lessons.” Its clear, accessible writing made learning effortless, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the magic of climbing.
—Dean Potter, a renowned American free solo climber who, on April 25, 2010, free soloed Switzerland’s 3,962-meter Eiger peak.

The eighth edition of “The Climbing Bible” has been refined to perfection and is widely recognized as the definitive resource for learning about climbing. I’ve told many people, including my sons: “If you want to climb, read ‘The Climbing Bible’ cover to cover. Only then will you truly understand how to reach the summit—and how to come back down safely.”
—Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest

★ The brand-new 10th edition! For years, this book has consistently topped Amazon’s bestseller lists!
◎ No. 1 on the “Rock Climbing” bestseller list
◎ No. 6 on the “Mountain Climbing” bestseller list
◎ No. 31 on the “Hiking & Camping Instructional Guides” bestseller list

★ Since its first edition in 1960, this book has been highly regarded by climbing enthusiasts. The English-language original alone has sold over 800,000 copies, with total global sales exceeding 5 million!
★ Translated into 12 languages, this book has become the gold standard for mountaineering education worldwide!
★ For nearly 60 years, this book has served as the “bible” of mountaineering, earning the title of “the best-selling mountaineering guide of all time.” It is hailed as “the most practical source of climbing knowledge in our era,” and is widely recognized as an extensive, authoritative, and comprehensive reference work for climbers.
★ Now, after extensive research and refinement by a team of industry experts, the 10th edition arrives with even higher-quality content. This new edition features up-to-date techniques and a wealth of fresh, vibrant illustrations.

This is the most important guide ever published in this field! This groundbreaking manual originated from handwritten climbing techniques passed down by early volunteers of the Seattle Mountaineers. Over more than six decades, nine editions have inspired aspiring climbers around the world.
We are proud to present the 10th edition of this masterful guide. From planning a weekend backpacking trip to managing the logistics of multi-month high-altitude expeditions; from knot tying and rope work to fundamental belaying and rappelling techniques; from wilderness camping to summiting glaciated peaks—this comprehensive textbook, researched and written by a team of professional climbers, guides, and instructors for the global climbing community, covers it all. It features detailed explanations and hundreds of illustrations to share the latest best practices.
New and returning readers will find the following in this edition:
◎ Updated navigation coverage that delves deeper into modern workflows and contemporary communication devices.
◎ Revised chapters on clothing, food, and camping gear that incorporate the latest equipment and tactics.
◎ A fitness training chapter that introduces reliable habits and training methods to help climbers achieve their goals.
◎ A revised climbing chapter that better reflects the progress of most climbers today, including entirely new topics such as multi-pitch climbing and lead exchange, along with related modern gear and techniques.
◎ Updated sections on big-wall climbing and assisted climbing that integrate modern approaches.
◎ A snow and glacier travel chapter that covers contemporary gear and techniques, including critical skills such as how to rescue a climber who has fallen into a crevasse.
◎ An enhanced expedition chapter that takes a broader, global perspective, considering key factors such as whether to go the DIY route or hire local guides.
◎ Text that addresses leadership topics, including diversity, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity.
◎ An updated geology chapter that focuses on the details most relevant to climbers.
◎ Modernized avalanche safety that presents the latest gear and techniques, along with best practices for assessing avalanche risk and discussions on how climate change is altering terrain and increasing risks.

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Introduction to the 9th Edition:
In the brand-new ninth edition, a writing committee composed of active climbers and climbing educators meticulously reviewed the methodological guidance in each chapter and consulted with members of nonprofit organizations such as the American Alpine Club (AAC) and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) to update specific sections. The writing team also collaborated with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) to ensure that the updated edition incorporates the current best practices for alpine and rock climbing.
From choosing the right gear to mastering rope-handling and rappelling techniques, from glacier travel and knot-tying to every aspect of safety, no other training manual comes close to being as comprehensive and rigorously vetted as this one. Building on the previous edition, this book includes updates in the following areas:
· Alignment with the national standard for roped travel proposed by the American Alpine Club (AAC).
· Expanded and more detailed coverage of avalanche safety, including clearer guidance on understanding avalanches, assessing hazards, traveling safely in avalanche terrain, and searching for and rescuing fellow climbers caught in an avalanche.
· Revised chapters on clothing and camping.
· New illustrations created by John McMillan, former art director of Climbing Magazine.
· New methods designed to help readers master the 10 key points more easily.

The Mountaineers
The Mountaineers is a nonprofit outdoor platform and community based in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 12,000 active members. Founded in 1906, we have been committed for over a century to helping people of all ages get outdoors safely and responsibly. Each month, we host hundreds of classes and events—entirely led by our volunteer network—providing opportunities for people to explore the outdoors and connect with others who share their passion for nature. We believe it is crucial to introduce people to the outdoors early and often, and we are dedicated to preserving outdoor experiences for future generations.

Our mission: “To enrich communities by helping people explore, protect, understand, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.”
The Mountaineers’ namesake publishing company was established in 1960, initially sharing our mountaineering expertise through “Mountains Are Calling,” the world’s best-selling mountaineering guidebook. This book gave rise to our publishing division, The Mountaineers Books, which has grown alongside our Pacific Northwest programs aimed at opening the doors to wilderness freedom for everyone.

Today, The Mountaineers Books is one of the leading independent publishers in the United States for outdoor recreation, lifestyle, and conservation books. We publish more than 800 print titles and distribute books from other like-minded outdoor nonprofits, including the American Alpine Club, the Colorado Mountain Club, and Adventure Cycling Association. (In short, we are an independent, nonprofit book publisher with a 60-year history, a catalog of 800 titles, and a track record of award-winning publications.)

In addition to the recreational books and adventure stories published by The Mountaineers Books, we now operate two additional subsidiary imprints. One focuses on fostering a deeper connection with the natural world through sustainable practices and grassroots activism; the other highlights and illuminates the value of wilderness through photography and storytelling, serving as a form of “revelatory” advocacy. Each book is designed to show readers the dangers that await when wilderness disappears and to provide scientific, ecological, economic, and cultural arguments for protecting particularly vulnerable environments.

Part One: Basic Elements of the Outdoors
Chapter 1: The First Steps 14
Chapter 2: Clothing and Equipment 17
Chapter 3: Camping, Food, and Water 46
Chapter 4: Physical Fitness 79
Chapter 5: Navigation 90
Chapter 6: Hiking in the Mountains and Wilderness 128
Chapter 7: Leave No Trace 138
Chapter 8: Mountaineering and Environmental Protection 146

Part Two: Basic Elements of Mountaineering
Chapter 9: Basic Safety Systems 150
Chapter 10: Roping Up 172
Chapter 11: Rappelling 202

Part Three: Rock Climbing
Chapter 12: High-Altitude Rock Climbing 224
Chapter 13: Rock Protection 252
Chapter 14: Lead Climbing 267
Chapter 15: Assisted Climbing and Big Wall Climbing 288

Part Four: Ice, Snow, and High-Altitude Climbing
Chapter 16: Walking and Climbing on Snow 330
Chapter 17: Avalanche Safety 366
Chapter 18: Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue 390
Chapter 19: High-Altitude Ice and Snow Climbing 419
Chapter 20: Waterfall Ice and Mixed Climbing 448
Chapter 21: Expedition Climbing 463

Part Five: Leadership, Safety, and Rescue
Chapter 22: Leadership 480
Chapter 23: Safety 493
Chapter 24: First Aid 500
Chapter 25: High-Altitude Rescue 522

Part Six: Mountain Environments
Chapter 26: Mountain Geography 540
Chapter 27: The Snow Cycle 548
Chapter 28: Mountain Weather 558