Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb collection of mountaineering essays and photos., 29 Dec 2000
Classic Rock is a collection of over fifty essays about rock climbing in the UK. But for me, it is more than just a guide to rock climbs. Classic Rock is a source of inspiration in its collection of evocative black-and-white photography and beautiful writing. It is also an 'aide-memoire' and something to discuss over a pint or two of beer in an isolated public house at the end of a hard day on the hills.Ken Wilson's compilation provides an introduction to climbing areas the length and breadth of Britain. Many of the climbs were at the 'cutting edge' fifty or more years ago and each essay describes the history or significance of a climb and provides a kind of 'way in' to each crag or mountain area - often written by climbers who were pioneers of their day. The authors are people like Jim Perrin, W.H. Murray and Nea Morin - to me, some of the finest climbing writers of their generation. By modern standards, these are not hard climbs. Rather, they are climbs for the competent adventure climber with a feel for the history and tradition of mountaineering. But to categorise and dismiss these climbs as easy (they have been dubbed 'soft rock') and therefore not worthwhile is to miss the point. We climbed 'Integrity' (now VS) on Skye and 'Tophet Wall' in the Lake District when the rock was warm and the sun shone. Both of these days were sheer joy. 'Great Gully' in the Carneddau, in heavy rain and strong winds at the end of October was frightening, ended in the dark and was an altogether different proposition. But all have been an experience; many an adventure. And that is what Classic Rock is all about. It will provide a wealth of inspiration and, over the course of a few years, cherished memories for the ingenue and more experienced climber alike. This is a book to be read and used by mountaineers who can enjoy climbing at any level, but who seek an insight into the history, origins and variety of our pastime. Although more of a coffee table book than a pocket guide, this is an outstanding collection of essays about middle grade mountaineering in Britain.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great photography and stirring text, 14 Dec 2004
By A Customer
Classic rock is a book that will make you want to take up
rock climbing, or a book that will put into words
what you thought of a climb yourself.Though the
climbs are easy by modern standards they can still be
scarey as hell! I did one of the climbs in this book
and will never forget having to let go with
my hands and shuffle sideways on my feet with
a view of half of Wales directly below!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
History, Mystery, And Pure Bloody Terror, 3 Mar 2008
It's back ! The inspirational guide to the finest low to medium grade rock climbs in the United Kingdom has had a revamp - new size, new design, hundreds of new colour photo's - and it's better than ever. This is not a 'pocket' guide book, but a perfect source of inspiration.
If you're a 'Rock God', with the adhesive skills of Spiderman, the pliability of Stretch Armstrong and an interest only in the ultimate in death-tempting mega routes then this book is probably not for you. If however you are more of a connoisseur of traditional mountaineering routes then this book is a must have. It contains 80+ routes of pure atmosphere, each loaded with history, and described in detail by the accompanying essays and photographs.
Ken Wilson, the Author hopes to inspire climbers to get out and "experience some real adventure ..." away from the "anodyne lower grade bolt clipping ..." Adventure is the key word here. Whilst the grades may suggest that the climbs are 'easy', they should not be taken lightly - particularly if your climbing experience is limited to Sports, or Indoor wall climbing. If you want to experience the best of traditional rock climbing then you should visit Amazon, buy the book, be inspired, get climbing and enjoy the ride.
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