Hard Rock – Great British rock climbs from VS to E4

Hard Rock is the best of British rock climbing.
Ken Wilson’s first edition of Hard Rock was published in 1974 and quickly
established itself as the definitive representation of British rock climbing.
Ken’s vision for the book’s format – part guidebook, part literary celebration
and part coffee table visual showcase – is one that has been much copied but
never equalled.

In this new edition, editor Ian Parnell has ensured Hard Rock continues to
honour Ken’s original concept, in particular keeping the route, not the
climber, centre stage. While the activity of climbing has undergone myriad
changes since 1974 – sticky rubber, camming devices, and the rise of sport
climbing and indoor climbing walls – many climbers are still drawn to the
drama and challenge of traditionally protected climbing. And this is why Hard
Rock is still as relevant now as it was in 1974.

Stretching across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the Lake District, the
Pennines and the Peak District, North and South Wales and down to South-West
England, the routes tackle big mountain walls, gritstone outcrops and epic sea
cliff adventures. Focusing on the trad connoisseur’s grade range of VS to E2,
with additional routes at E3 and E4, the featured climbs are within reach of a
majority of climbers. Timeless classics include The Bat on Ben Nevis, the Old
Man of Hoy, the Central Buttress of Scafell, Cenotaph Corner on Dinas Cromlech
in the Llanberis Pass, Vector at Tremadog, Right Unconquerable at Stanage Edge
and Suicide Wall at Bosigran on the Cornish coast.

Alongside many of the original essays, written by a formidable cast of
climbers including Pete Crew, Ed Drummond, Royal Robbins, Chris Bonington,
Hamish MacInnes and Al Alvarez, this new edition features thirteen new routes
and pieces by Eleanor Fuller, Stephen Reid, Kevin Howett, David Pickford, Paul
Harrison, John Lawrence Holden, Martin Moran, Paul Donnithorne and Emma
Alsford. It is illustrated with all-new colour photography throughout. Hard
Rock’s timeless collection is sure to inspire for generations to come.

No of Pages: 288
Page Size: 240 x 310 mm
Published Date: March 2020
Binding: Hardback
Illustrations: Colour throughout