With more and more people heading into the winter backcountry on skis, snowshoes, and snowmobiles, avalanche safety is of paramount importance. Allen & Mike's Really Cool Avalanche Safety Book distills the sometimes overly technical information of snow science into a user-friendly format with helpful illustrations and easy-to-understand text. With years of experience as NOLS instructors to draw on, Allen O'Bannon and Mike Clelland team up to give winter recreationists the information they need to stay safe in the backcountry, including how to prepare for your trip, proper equipment and how to use it, snowpack assessment, choosing safe travel routes, decision making, and rescue scenarios. Written for both aspriring winter backcountry travelers and experts alike, this book is a must-read for anybody who loves to experience the solitude and beauty of the snowy mountains.

Practical advice from two NOLS instructors on all aspects of backcountry skiing and winter camping. As skiers venture farther from lift-served front country, they need to understand and avoid hazards such as avalanches and extreme cold. This book teaches skiers how to choose the right equipment, build winter shelters, stay safe, and have fun while minimizing their impact on the wilderness. Hundreds of entertaining but very practical illustrations by renowned illustrator Mike Clelland. Completely revised, updated, and even better than ever!

“The definitive guide to mountains and climbing . . .”—Conrad Anker For nearly 60 years it’s been revered as the “bible” of mountaineering–and now it’s even better than ever The best-selling instructional text for new and intermediate climbers for more than half a century New edition—fully updated techniques and all-new illustrations Researched and written by a team of expert climbers Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the text beloved by generations of new climbers—the standard for climbing education around the world where it has been translated into 12 languages. For the all-new 9th Edition, committees comprosed of active climbers and climbing educators reviewed every chapter of instruction, and discussed updates with staff from the American Alpine Club (AAC), the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), and the Access Fund. They also worked with professional members of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), to review their work and ensure that the updated textbook includes the most current best practices for both alpine and rock climbing instruction. From gear selection to belay and repel techniques, from glacier travel to rope work, to safety, safety, and more safety—there is no more comprehensive and thoroughly vetted training manual for climbing than the standard set by Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, 9th Edition. Significant updates to this edition include: • New alignment with AAC’s nationwide universal belay standard • Expanded and more detailed avalanche safety info, including how to better understand avalanches, evaluate hazards, travel safely in avy terrain, and locate and rescue a fellow climber in an avalanche • Newly revamped chapters on clothing and camping • All-new illustrations reflecting the latest gear and techniques—created by artist John McMullen, former art director of Climbing magazine • Review of and contributions to multiple sections by AMGA-certified guides • Fresh approach to the Ten Essentials—now making the iconic list easier to recall

"A notorious reference for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts!" -- Lynn Hill More than 800,000 copies sold since the first edition was published in 1960, and translated into 12 languages Detailed instructions and hundreds of illustrations share the latest in best practices Researched and written by a team of expert climbers, guides, and instructors Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the most significant guidebook ever published. Born from the handwritten climbing tips of early volunteers of the Seattle-based Mountaineers organization, this fundamental how-to manual has inspired emerging climbers around the globe across nine editions for more than six decades. Mountaineers Books is proud to present the 10th edition of this master guide, commonly referred to as "Freedom." From planning a weekend backpacking trip to navigating the logistics of a months-long alpine expedition, from tying knots and hitches to essential belaying and rappelling techniques, from setting up camp in the wilderness to summiting glaciated peaks--this comprehensive textbook written by climbers for climbers covers it all.

The more you know about snow stability, the better your travel and rescue skills. And the sharper your decision making, the better you’ll be able to avoid avalanche danger and have more fun in the winter backcountry. In Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, 3rd Edition, acclaimed snow and avalanche expert Bruce Tremper provides easy-to-understand avalanche safety tips and skills, including the latest snow research and techniques for evaluating snowpack, as well how to rescue companions in the event of an avalanche. Other topics include: How to evaluate terrain and decide whether it's safe or dangerous How avalanches work How to test snow stability How to control your exposure and lower your risk Safe travel techniques What to do if you're caught in an avalanche Search-and-rescue strategies Managing the human factors that contribute to accidents This fully revised and updated third edition of Bruce's best-selling book is organized according to the structure of American Avalanche Association classes, and all topics have been updated and reviewed by peer experts. This edition also features a wholly new chapter in which Bruce pulls all the pieces together to create an organized, step-by-step system for making decisions off, and on, the mountain. As Rocky Mountain News proclaimed, "No one who plays in the mountain snow should leave home without having studied this book." Clear, comprehensive, and engaging, Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain shares everything skiers, snowboarders, and other backcountry travelers need to know to stay safe in the mountains.

Lightweight and small enough to fit in your pocket or tucked into your backpack, Survive Snow Country is the must-have item to keep with you in case you find yourself in a snowy survival situation. Including topics on administering basic first-aid, finding food and water, building shelter, and mental preparation, Survive Snow Country also has full-color images throughout. Expert outdoor enthusiast Jeff Henry gives you the absolute essential information needed to get you home safely. Inside you’ll find: How to build fire, construct shelter, find water, and get food Navigation, orienteering, and signaling Worst-case-scenario advice for precarious situations Tips for common trail concerns, from snow storms to blisters

Basic Illustrated Alpine Ski Touring has everything one needs to participate in this growing and exciting activity. Written by expert Molly Abolson, this book provides information on gear, skills, and preparation so that beginners and intermediate participants alike can enjoy this emerging sport with confidence.

Glacier Mountaineering provides the knowledge and skills needed to safely and self-sufficiently navigate over glacier terrain. Hundreds of hilarious and helpful illustrations by Mike Clelland complement the clear and concise text by Andy Tyson. Providing critical instruction for anyone planning to travel over glacier country—from the Cascades to the Rockies to Denali—this book will guide and entertain readers through glacier anatomy, equipment, route finding, and rescue techniques.

Lace up your boots and head into Colorado's rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains to explore this spine of soaring peaks that stand more than a mile above the San Luis and Wet Mountain Valleys. Here you'll discover plunging creeks, gorges cut from chunky conglomerate, and valleys where elk, bighorn sheep, coyote, and cougar live. Climb Kit Carson Mountain, Crestone Needle, or Blanca Peak; hike Black Canyon or Wild Cherry Creek. Wander the Great Sand Dunes National Park, which has the tallest dunes in North America. Local hiker and outdoor writer Lee Hart will introduce you to these trails and many more. Inside you'll find: up-to-date trail information; accurate directions to wilderness trails; difficulty ratings; topographic trail maps; zero-impact tips. Whether you are planning a day hike or an extended backpacking trip, you'll find trails suited to every ability and interest in one of the most beautiful regions of Colorado.

CLICK HERE to download the chapter on "Animal Encounters" from Wilderness Basics * The standard text for the San Diego Sierra Club chapter’s Wilderness Basics Course * Extensive updating throughout, including many new photos More than 100,000 copies of Wilderness Basics have been sold over the years, and this new edition will continue as a training staple for those wanting to build their outdoor skills. It is the text used in the San Diego Sierra Club chapter’s signature Wilderness Basics Course (WBC) and is written by chapter members. Updates to this new edition include: * Outdoor Ethics — latest Leave No Trace practices * Conditioning — completely rewritten, with targeted advice for certain health conditions * Outfitting — updates on planning your pack weight, water treatment methods, expanded tent and sleeping system info * Foods and Cooking — new information on how to not dirty a pot, in-the-bag cooking, and Dutch oven cooking * Navigation — completely updated, including information on adjusted declination compasses * Backcountry First Aid — the latest wilderness first aid info, first aid kit materials, and information on the Hantavirus and West Nile Virus * Winter Adventures — added information on predicting changes in backcountry weather There’s more too in this exhaustively updated instructional for outdoor beginners and advanced backpackers, alike. You’ll also appreciate the refreshed appendix of recommended websites for gear and travel info.