The Climbing Dictionary

* 130 black-and-white illustrations * A reference to more than 660 terms from climbers and mountaineers * Perfect stocking stuffer! In this hilarious yet authoritative illustrated lexicon of climbing terms and slang, former Climbing Editor-in-Chief Matt Samet has compiled a reference of more than 650 terms used by climbers and mountaineers around the world. The Climbing Dictionary runs the gamut from technical terms (belay, harness, rappel, Stopper) to slang (dab, choking the cobra, gaston, old dad, pimpy), to regional (such as the South's "baby-butt" slopers), antiquated ("press-up"), and foreign terms that have achieved universal usage (au cheval, colonnette) and much more. Each word's definition includes its part of speech, origin (if known), its meaning, and a humorous but factually sound example sentence to demonstrate usage. Throughout the dictionary, Mike Tea's illustrations -- both technical and humorous -- help explain harder-to-define terms such as piton, sling, cam, hand jam, or drop-knee. Sure to become the reference -- or even the sicktionary -- for novice climbers and expert mountaineers alike. Are you obsessed with "climbing-ese"? Know a term, back-story, or phrase that didn't make the book? Connect with Matt on climbingterms.com and check out newly submitted terms, submit your very own, and stay up to date on all things the Climbing Dictionary. While you're at it, be sure and"like" the Climbing Dictionary on Facebook, and follow Matt on Twitter.

Bergsport, Wörterbuch, Lexikon.

Death Grip chronicles a top climber's near-fatal struggle with anxiety and depression, and his nightmarish journey through the dangerous world of prescription drugs. Matt Samet lived to climb, and craved the challenge, risk, and exhilaration of conquering sheer rock faces around the United States and internationally. But Samet's depression, compounded by the extreme diet and fitness practices of climbers, led him to seek professional help. He entered the murky, inescapable world of psychiatric medicine, where he developed a dangerous addiction to prescribed medications—primarily "benzos," or benzodiazepines—that landed him in institutions and nearly killed him. With dramatic storytelling, persuasive research data, and searing honesty, Matt Samet reveals the hidden epidemic of benzo addiction, which some have suggested can be harder to quit than heroin. Millions of adults and teenagers are prescribed these drugs, but few understand how addictive they are—and how dangerous long-term usage can be, even when prescribed by doctors. After a difficult struggle with addiction, Samet slowly makes his way to a life in recovery through perseverance and a deep love of rock climbing. Conveying both the exhilaration of climbing in the wilderness and the utter madness of addiction, Death Grip is a powerful and revelatory memoir.

CLICK HERE to download the chapter on "Safety, Hazards & Awareness" from Crag Survival Handbook * Climbing etiquette you won’t learn at the gym but need to know * Advice from “Rock Maestros” Justen Sjong, Kevin Jorgeson, Tommy Caldwell, Robyn Ebersfeld and experts at the Access Fund, Black Diamond, Leave No Trace, and more * Mix of lore, how-to, humor, and entertainment — a reference book that’s easy to read and makes for good campfire talk Dogs at the trailhead, belayers in lawn chairs, long lines queued up at the classics in Eldorado Canyon — the crags seem more crowded and more crazy than ever. In fact, according to the Outdoor Industry association, in the United States more than 3.6 million people participated in climbing in 2011. Many of these new climbers are entering outdoor climbing solely through rock gyms, without having the opportunity to apprentice with an experienced friend or mentor— resulting in climbing accidents and conflicts. How do you become a responsible crag citizen? Crag Survival Handbook: The Unspoken Rules of Climbing is longtime climber Matt Samet’s personal handbook to becoming a member of the climbing community. While Samet discusses key skills like movement, dealing with fear, gear management, and how to fall, he also delves into crag culture: ethics, access, dealing with conflict, dogs and kids at the crags, and Leave No trace practices. Samet lays out the unspoken rules you need to know. Chapters include: * Heads up! Safety, Hazards, and Basic Crag Awareness * Etiquette, Access, and Impact: You’re Not the Only Fish in the Aquarium * Movement PhD: Crouch Like a Tiger, Hide Like a Dragon * Become a Rock Ninja: Tricks of the Cragger’s Trade Crag Survival Handbook guides you through the essential questions, even the questions you didn’t know you had, just like a personal climbing mentor would — minute by minute, hour by hour, skill by skill.

A dream list of the most celebrated climbing destinations in North America, each explored in depth. Climbing Rock features some of the most classic and cutting-edge climbing areas across the magnificent and the most diverse landscapes of North America. The author recommends twenty-two of the best climbing areas to be found, spanning the year's seasons: ranging from Rifle, CO, in spring, to Canada's Bugaboos in the summer, to New York's Shawangunks in the fall, to Mexico's Potrero Chico in winter. These legendary locations cover the full spectrum of climbing experiences, including masterful big-wall free-climbing on Yosemite's El Capitan; desert trad climbing at Red Rock, NV, and Indian Creek, UT; classic sport climbing in Rumney, NH, and Red River Gorge, KY; oceanside cragging in California; and bouldering in Bishop, CA, and Chattanooga, TN. François Lebeau's artful photographs uniquely capture both the stark beauty of the rock walls and the adventurous spirit of those who journey upward. Climbing Rock is the perfect book for anyone interested in climbing, from athletes of all abilities to readers who appreciate breathtaking photography of improbable physical feats across stunning North American landscapes.