Although they lived in a dreary, war-ravaged landscape, with seemingly no hope of creating a meaningful life, these curious, motivated and skilled mountaineers created their own free-market economy under the very noses of their Communist bosses and climbed their way to liberation. At a time when Polish citizens were locked behind the Iron Curtain, these intrepid explorers found a way to travel the world in search of extreme adventure—to Alaska, South America and Europe, but mostly to the highest and most inspiring mountains of the world. To this end, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal became their second homes as they evolved into the toughest group of Himalayan climbers the world has ever known.

    Pushing himself to new extremes, he embarks on his toughest climbs yet - on big walls in the Alps and Patagonia - in the depths of winter.

    Fred’s intimate, detailed knowledge of the mountains and climbs he chronicles here create an unparalleled guidebook and must-have for every climber’s bookshelf – as well as a great read for any armchair adventurer. Filled with hand-drawn climbing topos, photos, narrative description, side notes and 40 extra climbs of note in each of the eight geographical regions. This is the guide for every climber’s bookshelf.

    It also covers the climbing environment, its history and development.

    It is beautifully illustrated, clearly laid out and deeply researched and will become an essential reference for anyone who loves to climb in the UK.

    Thismust-have handbook on rescue techniques for serious climbers fully describes and illustrates a variety of techniques that every climber should know for safety and self-reliance.

    

    A complete introduction to Alpine mountaineering, this book deals with all the knowledge and techniques required for traversing the peaks of the famous mountain range.