Books published by Vertebrate Publishing Ltd

Published to coincide with sport climbing's debut in the Olympics, The Climbing Bible by Martin Mobraten and Stian Christophersen is a comprehensive guide to help you train effectively to become a better climber. Illustrated with 400 technique and action photos, and features stories from top climbers as well as a foreword by Jo Nesbo.

Beastmaking by Ned Feehally is a book about training for climbing. It is designed to provide normal people - like you and me - with the tools we need to get the most out of our climbing. It features sections on finger strength, fingerboarding, board training, mobility and core, and includes suggested exercises and workouts.

Crack Climbing by Pete Whittaker provides a single point of reference for all crack climbing techniques. Pete demonstrates the many different techniques and to give you an understanding of when, why and how to use them. Also features interviews with some of the world's top crack climbers, including Lynn Hill, Alex Honnold and Peter Croft.

Tour du Mont Blanc by Kingsley Jones is the definitive guidebook for one of the most famous long-distance treks in the world. This trek circles the entire Mont Blanc massif, passing through France, Italy and Switzerland. It contains unique customised timings to enable accurate itinerary planning for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners.

Mont Blanc - The Finest Routes is a collection of the 100 must-do climbing routes in the Mont Blanc Massif. Author Philippe Batoux gives a comprehensive account of each route, outlining its history and giving all the technical information needed to climb it. Each route has written descriptions, photo diagrams and topos, and stunning photos.

In It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Hall's story of his Pennine Way record attempt in July 2020. With dry wit and humour, Hall tells of his nine-year preparation for his attempt, and of the run itself. He also gives us an autobiographical insight into the deranged world of midlife crisis ultramarathon running and record attempts.

Bleau Blocs: 100 of the finest boulder problems in the Fontainebleau Forest by Stephan Denys is a visual celebration of this unique and vast bouldering venue. Denys' photos span a range of eras and are accompanied by texts that expand on the context and characteristics of each boulder problem.

Day Walks in Fort William & Glen Coe by Helen and Paul Webster features 20 routes suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, distance and navigation information, refreshment stops and local information.

'I have given my whole life to the mountains. Born at the foot of the Alps, I have been a ski champion, a professional guide, an amateur of the greatest climbs in the Alps and a member of eight expeditions to the Andes and the Himalayas. If the word has any meaning at all, I am a mountaineer.' So Terray begins Conquistadors of the Useless- not with arrogance, but with typical commitment. One of the most colourful characters of the mountaineering world, his writing is true to his uncompromising and jubilant love for the mountains. Terray was one of the greatest alpinists of his time, and his autobiography is one of the finest and most important mountaineering books ever written. Climbing with legends Gaston Rebuffat, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, Terray made first ascents in the Alps, Alaska, the Andes, and the Himalaya. He was at the centre of global mountaineering at a time when Europe was emerging from the shadow of World War II, and he came out a hero. Conquistadors tells of his war-time escapades, of life as an Alpine mountain guide, and of his climbs - including the second ascent of the Eiger North Face and his involvement in the first ever ascent of an 8,000-metre peak, Annapurna. His tales capture the energy of French post-war optimism, a time when France needed to re-assert herself and when climbing triumphs were more valued than at any other time in history. Terray's death, in the Vercors, robbed mountaineering of one of its most passionate and far-sighted figures. His energy, so obvious in Conquistadors of the Useless, will inspire for generations to come. A mountaineering classic.

I was aware that I was cold - beyond cold. I was a lump of meat left for too long in a freezer, a body trapped beneath the ice, sinking down into the dark. 'I was freezing to death.' In this brilliant sequel to his award-winning debut "e;Psychovertical"e;, mountaineering stand-up Andy Kirkpatrick has achieved his life's ambition to become one of the world's leading climbers. 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. Kirkpatrick has more success, but the savagery and danger of these encounters comes at huge personal cost. Questioning his commitment to his chosen craft, Kirkpatrick is torn between family life and the dangerous path he has chosen. Written with his trademark wit and honesty, "e;Cold Wars"e; is a gripping account of modern adventure.

In Mont Blanc Lines, photographer and alpinist Alex Buisse has travelled the Mont Blanc massif to capture images of the major mountain faces and to trace the classic climbing and skiing lines. As well as Mont Blanc, also featured are the Grandes Jorasses, the Aiguille du Midi and more, as well as the Matterhorn and the Eiger in Switzerland.

The Beaches of Scotland by Stacey McGowan Holloway is a guide to the stunning beaches around Scotland's coast, featuring information on facilities, access and activities, and presented with custom mapping and stunning photography.

In February 2019, award-winning writer Alex Roddie left his online life behind to walk 300 miles through the Scottish Highlands. The Farthest Shore is the story of his solo trek along the remote Cape Wrath Trail. Journeying through a vanishing winter, Alex learnt about solitude, nature and the threats faced by Scotland's mountain landscape.

'It's a preposterous plan. Still, if you do get up it, I think it'll be the hardest thing that's been done in the Himalayas.' So spoke Chris Bonington when Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker presented him with their plan to tackle the unclimbed West Wall of Changabang - the Shining Mountain - in 1976. Bonington's was one of the more positive responses; most felt the climb impossibly hard, especially for a two-man, lightweight expedition. This was, after all, perhaps the most fearsome and technically challenging granite wall in the Garhwal Himalaya and an ascent - particularly one in a lightweight style - would be more significant than anything done on Everest at the time. The idea had been Joe Tasker's. He had photographed the sheer, shining, white granite sweep of Changabang's West Wall on a previous expedition and asked Pete to return with him the following year. Tasker contributes a second voice throughout Boardman's story, which starts with acclimatisation, sleeping in a Salford frozen food store, and progresses through three nights of hell, marooned in hammocks during a storm, to moments of exultation at the variety and intricacy of the superb, if punishingly difficult, climbing. It is a story of how climbing a mountain can become an all-consuming goal, of the tensions inevitable in forty days of isolation on a two-man expedition; as well as a record of the moment of joy upon reaching the summit ridge against all odds. First published in 1978, The Shining Mountain is Peter Boardman's first book. It is a very personal and honest story that is also amusing, lucidly descriptive, very exciting, and never anything but immensely readable. It was awarded the John Llewelyn Rhys Prize for literature in 1979, winning wide acclaim. His second book, Sacred Summits, was published shortly after his death in 1982. Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker died on Everest in 1982, whilst attempting a new and unclimbed line. Both men were superb mountaineers and talented writers. Their literary legacy lives on through the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature, established by family and friends in 1983 and presented annually to the author or co-authors of an original work which has made an outstanding contribution to mountain literature. For more information about the Boardman Tasker Prize, visit: www.boardmantasker.com

On 25 January 2018, Elisabeth Revol and her climbing partner Tomasz Mackiewicz summited Nanga Parbat, the killer mountain. But their euphoria was short-lived as Tomek was struck by blindness. To Live is Elisabeth's account of this tragedy and the ensuing rescue operation, and is a poignant tribute to her friend and climbing partner.

Of all the games mountaineers play, the hardest - and cruellest - is climbing the fourteen peaks over 8,000 metres in winter. Award-winning author Bernadette McDonald tells how Poland's ice warriors made winter their own, perfecting what they dubbed 'the art of suffering'. Winter 8000 is the story of true adventure at its most demanding.

The Evidence of Things Not Seen is the W.H. Murray's award-winning autobiography. Murray recounts his extraordinary life, from his involvement in WWII to exploratory climbs in the Himalaya.

In 1953 Hermann Buhl made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat - the ninth-highest mountain in the world, and the third 8,000-metre peak to be climbed, following Annapurna and Everest. It was one of the most incredible and committed climbs ever made. Continuing alone and without supplementary oxygen, Buhl made a dash for the summit after his partners turned back. On a mountain that had claimed thirty-one lives, an exhausted Buhl waded through deep snow and climbed over technical ground to reach the summit, driven on by an 'irresistible urge'. After a night spent standing on a small ledge at over 8,000 metres, Buhl returned forty-one hours later, exhausted and at the very limit of his endurance. Written shortly after Buhl's return from the mountain, Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage is a classic of mountaineering literature that has inspired thousands of climbers. It follows Buhl's inexorable rise from rock climber to alpinist to mountaineer, until, almost inevitably, he makes his phenomenal Nanga Parbat climb. Buhl's book, and ascent, reminded everyone that, while the mountains could never be conquered, they could be climbed with sufficient enthusiasm, spirit and dedication.

John Gill: Master of Rock is a captivating look into the life, achievements and ethos of boulderer John Gill, written by friend and climber Pat Ament. This new edition is complete with photographs, personal impressions of Gill from climbers such as Yvon Chouinard, and an enlightening interview with Gill himself.

Shortlisted: 2016 Banff Mountain Book Competition'1001 Climbing Tips had me laughing out loud in places, which I never thought possible for this genre of book. A tremendous resource that should be an essential addition to every climber's loo-library' - Ian Parnell, Climb magazineImagine an alien came down to Earth, stuck a probe into a climber's brain - one who'd been climbing for over thirty years - and then transmogrified the contents into a big book of climbing tips. Well, 1001 Climbing Tips by Andy Kirkpatrick is just such a book. This is no regular instruction manual - it's much more useful than that. This is a massive collection of all those little tips that make a real difference when at the crag, in the mountains, or when you're planning your next big trip. It's for anyone who hangs off stuff, or just hangs around in the mountains. These tips are based on three decades of climbing obsession, as well as nineteen ascents of El Cap, numerous Alpine north faces, trips to the polar ice caps, and many other scary climbs and expeditions. 1001 Climbing Tips covers the following areas: BASI [1-240]: From how best to rope up and the importance of climbing partnerships, to racking your gear correctly and how to sleep in a harness. This section is designed for both novice and experienced climbers. SAFETY [241-327]: The name of the game in climbing is staying alive and coming home in one piece. This section covers loose rock, rescue, dealing with heat and what to do if you get caught out. BIG WALL [328-434]: Knowledge on tackling large multi-pitch climbs, with advanced topics such as pegging, jumaring, hauling and speed climbing. These tips will be an aid both to those new to multi-pitch climbing, as well as more experienced climbers. ICE [435-481]: Tips on all aspects of ice climbing, including movement, protection, looking after your gear, mental strength and - of course - not falling off. MIXED [482-503]: With a focus on Scottish and Alpine winter skills, these essential tips focus on how to use your tools on snowed-up rock, leading, gear and footwork on mixed ground. MOUNTAIN [504-802]: Essential reading for mountaineers, hill walkers and rock climbers, this section has almost 300 tips on living and staying alive in the mountains, be that in the UK, Alps or Greater Ranges. TRAINING [803-876]: A range of tips on how to overcome fear, improve strength and endurance, as well as diet and nutrition advice for climbers. STUFF [877-1001]: A mix of esoterica, such as how to rap off a fifi hook, what books to read, how to make your own kit, how to get sponsored, photo and video advice, and how to go to the toilet in tricky spots.

Mountaineering in the Pyrenees by Francois Laurens features 25 classic mountain routes and link-ups - many of them accessible from spring to autumn - along the entire Pyrenean chain. Featured peaks include Pic des Posets, Monte Perdido, and the Vignemale. Each route features technical notes, a topo and route description, and stunning photography.

Alps Mountain Biking is a guide to the western Alps. It reveals epic rocky descents, high-altitude blasts and hidden Alpine singletrack, all set against a backdrop of snowy peaks, pine forests and clear blue skies. This is some of the greatest singletrack, enduro and downhill riding the mountains have to offer. Featuring the Alpine hot spots alongside the best lesser-known areas, you can ride the main lines of Morzine and Chamonix, and then escape the crowds and head to La Plagne, Martigny or Sauze d'Oulx. Using lifts, buses and good old pedal power, you can really exploit the massive vertical gains each area has to offer and enjoy trails that cater for every taste and ability. Alps Mountain Biking has everything you need to get out of the concrete resorts and plan a great riding trip. Written by Samoens-based guide Steve Mallett, it gives you the local riders' inside knowledge on trails, and information on accommodation, lifts and travel. Packed with fantastic photography, it is guaranteed to inspire you to get out and explore this huge mountain bike playground.

Traffic-Free Cycle Trails South East England by Nick Cotton and Kathy Rogers features over 100 great cycling routes across the South East, London and into Eastern England. A companion guide to Nick Cotton's bestselling Traffic-Free Cycle Trails, this guidebook provides an additional fifty routes to discover - all away from traffic.

What we eat has a huge impact on our physical and mental health, and our performance in our chosen sport. More Fuel You is a clear and authoritative guide to making the most of your nutrition. Leading sports dietitian Renee McGregor analyses fuelling needs and popular diet options for everyone from enthusiastic amateurs to elite athletes.

1001 Outdoor Swimming Tips by Calum Maclean is a huge collection of small tips to improve your outdoor swimming, whether you're a novice or experienced wild swimmer. Everything from biosecurity and safety to cold-water swimming, recovery, the essential gear you'll need and training is covered.