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Europe Alpine Climbing Guidebook
Posted:
Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:24 am
by A-dog
This may be a bit too broad of a subject, but does anybody know of a good guidebook that lists out the more famous alpine ice and rock climbs throughout the Alps? Im kind of looking for a book similar to the "50 classic alpine climbs of north america" kind of book (or whatever that book was titled). If what I am looking for is too general of an are, I am specifically looking at alpine climbing in the countries of Austria, Switzerland, and France. Any recommendations on popular guidebooks that any of you guys and girls use will be greatly appreciated. I have tried doing internet searches for books of this sort without much success.
Posted:
Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:37 am
by nattfodd
For the Mont-Blanc range, the reference is Rebuffat's book, "the 100 finest routes". It is often given in the same breath than the 50 classic alpine in north america. I am not aware of similar books for other European ranges.
Posted:
Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:23 am
by barrys
'Alpine 4000m Peaks by the Classic Routes' by Richard Goedeke is packed full of routes for all abilities, though using height as a filter it misses out on great places like La Meije, Ailefroide, Arolla, Grossglockner and the Eiger. Still a very useful book though.
Posted:
Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:12 am
by Gilles
The 'Glenat'-series offers some excellent (inspiration-)books. A reference for some classic climbs in the Mont-Blanc range (F-D): 'Sommets du Mont-Blanc, Les plus belles courses de F à D' by Jean-Louis Laroche and Florence Lelong and 'Ascensions au pays du Mont-Blanc' by the same authors. In the same series you also have books with classic climbs in Switserland, Ecrins, Pyrénées,... The above mentioned top 100 from good old Gaston Rebuffat is also a great book (a must read classic of mountaineering literature!!!). The reference for rock-climbing in the Mont-Blanc area: 'Mont Blanc range topo' volume 1 and 2 by Michel Piola (although these books are hard to find these days). The reference for snow, ice and mixed climbing in the Mont Blanc area: 'Snow, ice and mixed' volume 1 and 2 by Francois Damilano.
Posted:
Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:02 am
by Fred Spicker
There was a series of the "100 Finest Routes" books.
The Mt. Blanc book was the only one translated into English. The others are in German and I think Italian.
There are also books for the Berner Oberland, the Wallis, the Bernina / Bergell / Engadin, and two for the Dolomites (East and West).
Unfortunately, they are out of print, but can be found at used book outlets.
Here are several:
http://www.buchfreund.de/productListing ... d=38820999
http://www.amazon.de/Bernina-Bergell-En ... 3765421227
http://www.amazon.de/Walliser-Alpen-Die ... 3765421243
Posted:
Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:05 am
by Krumme
Hi
There are a few good books in English.
Depends on where you wanna climb
Mont blanc Area (Base Camp Chamonix)
as mention: the Mont Blanc massif 100 finest
also:
- The Mont Blanc Range, Classic snow, Ice and Miced Climbs (like 100 finest but with easier routes) from F to D written by Jean-Louis Laroche ISBN: 978-0-89732-651-3
- Snow, Ice and mixed vol 1 and 2 by Francios Damilano ISBN: 2-9521881-2-2 and 2-9521881-4-9
for other areas of the Alps and for 4000m peaks
-The alpine 4000m Peaks by classic routes: ISBN 1-898573-56-5
- The 4000m peaks of the alps: ISBN: 978-0900523663
lots of good reading
Enjoy
-Kasper
Posted:
Fri Sep 18, 2009 7:33 pm
by Sebastian Hamm
Posted:
Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:21 pm
by JackCarr
I have the Alpine Club's official guidebooks for the Valais East, Valais West, Bernese Oberland (not yet got round to buying Mont Blanc Massif I and II).
They're small, but very informative and aren't limited to just 4000er's (I also have a few of them!). Definitely worth buying.
Posted:
Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:26 pm
by JackCarr
I mean the British Alpine Club of course.
Posted:
Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:41 pm
by Charles
Good suggestions here, I would also add from the publishing house Rother their good overviews: Ostalpen, covers Bernina to Tauern and Westalpen Volume 1 covers Tödi to Grand Combin (volume 2 has not yet been released and I would assume covers Mont Blanc et al).
They´re in German but they have useful tour maps, pictures and follow the usual grading system.
Cheers
Charles
Posted:
Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:52 pm
by Sebastian Hamm
charles wrote:Good suggestions here, I would also add from the publishing house Rother their good overviews: Ostalpen, covers Bernina to Tauern and Westalpen Volume 1 covers Tödi to Grand Combin (volume 2 has not yet been released and I would assume covers Mont Blanc et al).
They´re in German but they have useful tour maps, pictures and follow the usual grading system.
Cheers
Charles
Hi Charles,
These two books I have already suggested "Best of eastern Alps"...
I love these two books. Hope they are starting Western Alps Part 2 more quickly than the first part.
Cheers
Sebastian