Climbing Anchors

by John Long
Climbing Anchors cover
Good Books rating 4.33
How-To and DIY
Technical
  • ID: 1976
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9781493074563
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2024-03-05
  • Reviews: 3

Climbing Anchors is a thoroughly revised and updated edition that serves as the ultimate resource for climbers looking to refine their anchoring skills. Illustrated with 359 color photographs and drawings, this book covers everything from fundamental knots to sophisticated rigging and load distribution. It provides detailed guidelines on gear placements, anchor systems, and evaluation criteria for nuts, camming devices, and bolts. The fourth edition introduces the new STRANDS principle for evaluating any anchor system and dispels old myths with new guidelines on shock loading and equalization. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced climber, this book is an essential tool for ensuring safety and efficiency in your climbing adventures.

Reviews
UKHillwalking · Removed User · 2020-01-01
excellent 4.50

The book is highly recommended for its focus on placing protection and building belays, making it an excellent resource for beginners. It is praised for its clear and effective guidance.

This reviewer highly recommends 'Climbing Anchors' for its clear and effective guidance on placing protection and building belays. It's seen as an excellent resource for beginners who are just starting to learn the ropes. The book's focus on these fundamental skills makes it a standout choice for those looking to build a solid foundation in climbing techniques.

Quick quotes

    Climbing Anchors by John Long. While it focusses, as per title, on placing protection and building belays, it does this very well.

    It's an excellent resource for beginners.

    The book's focus on these fundamental skills makes it a standout choice.

Reddit - r/climbing · 2019-06-10
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its practical approach and lab-tested techniques, making it a valuable resource for climbers. The focus on real-world applications is particularly appreciated.

This reviewer really values how John Long's book on climbing anchors is rooted in practical experience. They highlight that the author took the time to lab-test most of the techniques, which adds a layer of credibility and trustworthiness. This makes it a go-to resource for climbers who want to ensure their anchors are reliable. The emphasis on real-world applications is what sets this book apart, making it a favorite among those who consult it regularly.

Quick quotes

    I have read (and still consult regularly) John Long's excellent book on anchors.

    I especially like the fact that he took the time to lab-test most of the techniques.

    This book is a valuable resource for climbers.

Mountain Project · 2017-06-17
comprehensive 4.00

The book is acknowledged for its comprehensive coverage of anchoring systems, though it is noted that no single book can be perfect. The principles outlined are considered crucial for climbers.

This reviewer acknowledges that while no book can be perfect, 'Climbing Anchors' does an excellent job of covering the essential principles of anchoring. The book brings together a wide range of anchoring systems that are popular among climbers, making it a comprehensive guide. The principles outlined are seen as crucial for anyone looking to build reliable anchors, even if some details might be outdated.

Quick quotes

    The book is not perfect, as there will never be a definition of perfect for this topic.

    All that matters is that if you follow the principles...

    This book brings together in a single volume the anchoring systems most popular among climbers.

Appears in Lists