This new guide by renowned avalanche expert Bruce Tremper is simple, accessible, and offers just the basics — an Everyman’s guide to avalanche safety that won’t overtax your average ski bums, but will keep them safe when they’re going for 12 consecutive months of powder. Avalanche Essentials is for everyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of avalanche awareness, focusing on systems and checklists, step-by-step procedures, decision-making aids, visual terrain and weather cues, rescue techniques, gear, and more.Avalanche Essentials is intended for broader use by skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, hikers, climbers, and snowshoers. Because it steers clear of more complex topics (e.g., snow metamorphism), it’s perfect for generalists as well as anyone who has studied avalanche safety and likes to keep a pocket reference while in potentially dangerous terrain.

    In The Trad Climber’s Bible, two of the most revered and respected trad climbers in the world, John Long and Peter Croft, offer hard-won knowledge to aspiring trad climbers in a narrative format that is as informative as it is entertaining. With photos by iconic climbing photographer Greg Epperson and AMGA Certified Rock Instructor Bob Gaines, this full color book will appeal to climbers of all stripes.

    The first British climber to reach all 14 of the world's peaks over 8000m, and the 15th person ever to do so, his 2005 summit of Kangchenjunga was the crowning achievement of an 18-year journey - joining the elite few who have completed global mountaineering's most distinguished goal. Alongside Alan's down-to-earth accounts of his summits of such awe-inspiring peaks as Everest, Manaslu, K2, Annapurna and Kangchenjunga, the book features the stunning photographs from his expeditions, which are all the more impressive for having been taken under the extreme circumstances of some of the world's most challenging settings. Alan's motto throughout every expedition was 'No mountain is worth a life. Coming back is a success and the summit is only a bonus'. After reaching each of these 14 peaks, Alan came back every time, always in one piece, always with a new inspiring tale to tell. Having had time to reflect on his immense achievement, in this book he now recounts his experiences of them all.

    Through easy-to-remember leadership models, case studies, and his own extensive leadership experience, author Alex Kosseff explores such topics as effective decision-making, group dynamics and communication, self-awareness and evaluation, backcountry ethics, and more. Also included are a new chapter on techniques for leading and motivating youth and expanded coverage of risk and crisis management.INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:■ Accessible techniques for new and experienced leaders■ Comprehensive coverage of leadership concepts■ Case studies, advice, and anecdotes from experts on trip planning, decision making, leadership styles, teaching, and communication■ Essential reading lists for further studyALEX KOSSEFF is director of the Outdoor Safety Institute, where he advises outdoor education and recreation organizations on risk management, staff training, and volunteer-based programs. He has twenty years of outdoor leadership experience, having worked as an Outward Bound chief instructor and staff trainer, backpacking and canoeing trip leader, environmental educator, and wilderness medicine instructor. He lives in Bozeman, Montana.REVIEWS“A thorough, field-tested examination of what makes the best outdoor leaders . . . and how one of them could be you.”—Robert Birkby, author of the Boy Scout Handbook, Mountain Madness, and Lightly on the Land"An outstanding resource for both leaders and followers . . . Vignettes from a wide variety of outdoor trips effectively illustrate Kosseff's points."—Trail & Timberline, Colorado Mountain Club magazine"An excellent resource for leaders new and old. . . . This is a well-written, enjoyable leadership resource that will be valuable to anyone responsible for leading trips . . ."—Dan Garvey, President, Prescott College (1st edition review)"Whether you are an aspiring or experienced outdoor leader, this work should be in your library--where you can reach it."—Jed Williamson, Editor of Accidents in North American Mountaineering (1st edition review)". . . tackles a complex topic in a clear & engaging manner. Stories of real leadership situations help develop critical-thinking skills . . . ."—Ian Wade, Executive Director, Outward Bound International, Inc (1st edition review)TABLE OF CONTENTSAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 Foundations2 Getting Started3 Awareness4 Decision Making5 Leadership Styles6 Teaching and Facilitation7 Field Safety8 Crisis9 Leading Youth10 Participants11 Expedition Behavior12 Group Behavior and Development13 Communication14 Trip Planning15 Organizational Risk Management16 Environmental Stewardship17 Don't Forget to Have FunAppendix: Further ReadingIndex

    Single rope fixed line rappelling techniques used in caving, canyoneering, and for industrial applications are also discussed, along with improvised rope ascending techniques ("prusiking") and ascending a fixed rope with mechanical ascenders ("jumaring"). Rappelling accident analysis and prevention is also included, along with a section on rappel back-ups and safety checks. Inside you'll find information on:RopesRappel devicesSlings and webbingKnots and hitchesRigging rappel anchorsRappelling methodsRope retrieval techniquesRappelling accident analysisRappel safety back-upsWorking with fixed linesRope ascending techniques

    That coincidence of timing really wasn’t.”Steph Davis is a superstar in the climbing community and has ascended some of the world’s most awe-inspiring peaks. But when her husband makes a controversial climb in a national park, the media fallout—and the toll it takes on her marriage—suddenly leaves her without a partner, a career, a source of income...or a purpose.In the company of only her beloved dog, Fletch, Davis sets off on a search for a new identity and discovers skydiving. Though falling out of an airplane is completely antithetical to the climber’s control she’d practiced for so long, she turns each daring jump into an opportunity to fly, first as a skydiver, then as a base jumper, and finds herself indelibly changed. As she opens herself to falling, she also finds the strength to open herself to love again, even in the wake of heartbreak. And before too long, she fortuitously meets someone who shares her passions.Learning to Fly is Davis’s fascinating account of her transformation. From her early tentative skydives, to zipping into her first wingsuit, to surviving devastating accidents against the background of breathtaking cliffs, to soaring beyond her past limits, she discovers new hope and joy in letting go. Learning to Fly isn’t just an adventure but a woman’s story of risk-taking and self-discovery, with love at its heart.