Book Review

As Appeared in the Irish Mountain Log Winter Edition 2016/2017

As someone who has been around the mountaineering scene quite a while, I’ve had the opportunity to try my hand at most of what this book covers (the exception being big wall climbing). That said, it has always bothered me that I couldn’t seem to push myself that little bit further, get out of my comfort zone a little more.

So when I saw the title of this book, I thought – fantastic! Have a read, get out on the crag and put Andy’s advice to good use! As I read the book however, I realised that what I was hoping for was 1001 ways to get my head to convince the rest of me to climb harder, higher and longer!

‘1001 Climbing Tips’ was quite different, but just as useful. The book reads like a conversation, (albeit one-way), flowing seamlessly from one topic to the next. This meant that instead of feeling bogged down with point after point of information, you find yourself nodding along with the advice of an invisible mentor.

Some of Kirkpatrick’s advice will spark memories sitting in a dusty corner of your mind, some you may already be doing, but other tips are fabulous little gems that might just get you out of tight spot some time.

The over-riding theme of the book though, the advice which permeated all tips: Plan, be ultra-organised, plan some more, overlook nothing and be prepared for when things go pear shaped.

This book review appeared in the winter 16/17 edition of the Irish Mountaineering Log