Extreme Rock

Extreme Rock gives a vivid picture of the vibrant trad climbing scene in Great Britain. Published in 1987, Ken Wilson and Bernard Newman’s first edition of Extreme Rock achieved legendary status within the climbing community, featuring as it did a huge variety of cutting-edge rock climbing across England, Scotland and Wales. Like its companion volume, Hard Rock, this new edition of Extreme Rock follows the same format: part guidebook, part literary celebration – a visual showcase. Compiled by Grant Farquhar and blending new material with many of the original essays and photography, it bridges the intervening decades during which British and world climbing has undergone huge performance, technological, ethical and cultural change. Stretching across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the Lake District, Northumberland, Yorkshire and the Peak District, into North and South Wales, and down into South-West England, the 150-plus routes on over 70 crags tackle big mountain walls, gritstone outcrops and epic sea cliff adventures. The routes are selected from the E1 to E7 range, with the majority of climbs being drawn from the E2 to E5 grades. Timeless classics include The Naked Ape on Creag an Dubh-loch and Stone on Sròn Uladail; Saxon on Scafell and Equus on Gimmer Crag; Left Wall and Right Wall on Dinas y Gromlech, and Strawberries and Cream at Tremadog; Wellington Crack at Ilkey and Old Friends at Stanage Edge; and Eroica at Pentire Head on the Cornish coast. Alongside many of the original essays, written by a formidable cast of climbers – many of whom played leading roles in the giant leap forward in extreme climbing in the twentieth century – including Mick Fowler, Dave Cuthbertson, John Allen and Andy Pollitt, this new edition features new routes and pieces by authors including Ferdia Earle, Robbie Phillips, Katy Whittaker, James McHaffie, Emma Alsford, Ian Parnell and more. Their recollections underpin the book with an enthralling blend of gripping blow-by-blow descriptions of eventful ascents, contemporary history and colourful folklore. It is illustrated with original and new photography throughout, and the routes are supported by topos, route information and a historical commentary.

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