Mock Rock: The Guide to Indoor Climbing

Rating:
Summary: John Long's "Gym climb" is far better than this one.
Review: I own both, along with many other climbing books. Of the two available books on gym climbing, John Long's is by far the best. This one costs more twice as much, and is less than half as useful. I have no financial interests in this, just a climber since the 70s. Gym climbing offers a relatively new avenue to learn about climbing and a way for serious climbers to stay in top form during winter weekday evenings. Long's book is a must and worth every penny of its $6 cost. Skip this one.

Rating:
Summary: a great book for a beginner
Review: If you are just beginning to climb or thinking about getting into climbing, this is a great place to start. As a woman, I really appreciated the inspirational stories; I remembered as I looked at the top of the wall standing down on the floor at the bottom that there were many women before me with more (often physical) challenges than me who had made it up that wall ! I found that I was more comfortable about approaching the climb after I had reviewed this book and read all about the equipment and how it was used. There is also a section in the back of the book I haven't found in any other book on indoor climbing and that is a list of indoor climbing gyms around the country: great for when you're traveling and want to get in a climb! Mock Rock has shown me a great and simple way to get off the ground!