Rating: 
Summary: The Best Mountaineering Guide to the High Sierra
Review: There are just a few really good guides to mountaineering in the High Sierra and this book is the best of those. I've been backpacking the Sierras for 25 years and this book has become my #1 trip planning guide. Secor's detailed descriptions and breadth of knowledge, especially of the mountaineering passes provide indispensable information for anyone undertaking Sierra mountaineering travel.
Rating: 
Summary: Disheartened Climber
Review: This book contains the least amount of useful information that I've ever seen in a guidebook. It more or less is a historical document of routes that have been done and who did them. A prime example is what is written about Fishhook Arete - "follow the arete to the summit". That's it; if I knew where the approach was, what gear to bring, and how long it would take I'd also know to follow the arete. Fortunately I borrowed this book from a friend who also has the same opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Disheartened Climber
Review: This book contains the least amount of useful information that I've ever seen in a guidebook. It more or less is a historical document of routes that have been done and who did them. A prime example is what is written about Fishhook Arete - "follow the arete to the summit". That's it; if I knew where the approach was, what gear to bring, and how long it would take I'd also know to follow the arete. Fortunately I borrowed this book from a friend who also has the same opinion.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding guide to the Sierra Nevada
Review: This is an excellent guide to California's Sierra Nevada. Secor provides a great range of reliable information. The first time I depended on him, I came to a high pass and wondered if it really was the class 2 he claimed (doable without equipment and great risk of falling off). It looked harder. I cautiously decided to give it a try--and he was right. His descriptions are brief, but sufficiently precise to be useful. Anyone hiking in the Sierra will want this book
Rating: 
Summary: Wow! But I still end up searching for resources
Review: This may be the most exhaustive climbing guidebook in existence. All bow down to Secor!But I find myself wishing for a bit more. How many peaks are in there with a two-sentence review like, "First Ascent: May 13, 1897 by Elmore and Paola Bohunk. Peak X is class 2 from the north ridge." All this is true, but I could go for more detailed route descriptions of approaches, routes, and of the views from the summit. Some mountains aren't great climbs, but they have good views. On the other hand, the book is already too heavy for most people to backpack with. Secor must have been tempted to add info and split the book into multiple volumes; I think he should keep entertaining that option. I would probably buy them all. In summary, this book is NOT the one-stop-shop for trip planning in the Sierras. I invariably find myself scouring the web for additional, more detailed information than in Secor. But it is a truly unique resource, and I think it's unfortunate to criticize it too much for what it omits.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! But I still end up searching for resources
Review: This may be the most exhaustive climbing guidebook in existence. All bow down to Secor! But I find myself wishing for a bit more. How many peaks are in there with a two-sentence review like, "First Ascent: May 13, 1897 by Elmore and Paola Bohunk. Peak X is class 2 from the north ridge." All this is true, but I could go for more detailed route descriptions of approaches, routes, and of the views from the summit. Some mountains aren't great climbs, but they have good views. On the other hand, the book is already too heavy for most people to backpack with. Secor must have been tempted to add info and split the book into multiple volumes; I think he should keep entertaining that option. I would probably buy them all. In summary, this book is NOT the one-stop-shop for trip planning in the Sierras. I invariably find myself scouring the web for additional, more detailed information than in Secor. But it is a truly unique resource, and I think it's unfortunate to criticize it too much for what it omits.
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