Climbing guidebook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Climbing guidebooks are used by rock climbers to find the location of climbing routes at crags or on mountains. Guidebooks also offer information about local restaurants, bars and camping areas; often include sections on geology and local climbing history; and may contain many pictures to inspire climbers. In addition to the location, most guidebooks tell what gear is needed to do the route, and how difficult the route is. This information is collectively known as "The Beta."
Guidebooks can indicate locations by verbal descriptions (start in the third left-facing corner below the large, orange roof, left of the route "Something Interesting"), but starting in the 1980's, a diagram-style was developed that are called "topos".
Guidebooks are often self-published by the author, and may be available only in the local climbing shop.
Guidebooks are important to the culture of climbing, transmitting history and stories down through the ages, and delineating what is considered good style in a particular area. The upcoming publication of a new guidebook often leads to a flurry of climbers establishing new routes.
