Rock Climbing Minnesota and Wisconsin

Rating:
Summary: just the popular routes but superbly written
Review: I though that this was a very usefull book for climbing. I used it primarily for climbing Blue Mounds in Minnesota. It had the majority of the known routes but unfortunatley not all of them. As far as the rattings are concerned they all seemed accurate and route descriptions were also great. The photos and detailed descriptions made finding the routes very easy. I give this book an A

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I though that this was a very usefull book for climbing. I used it primarily for climbing Blue Mounds in Minnesota. It had the majority of the known routes but unfortunatley not all of them. As far as the rattings are concerned they all seemed accurate and route descriptions were also great. The photos and detailed descriptions made finding the routes very easy. I give this book an A

Rating:
Summary: just the popular routes but superbly written
Review: Like most of Falcon's regional climbing guides, this book focuses on selected climbs at major climbing areas. Often these are harder climbs, but Farris includes enough moderate routes to make this at least worth consideration for a newer leader.

The downside of a best-of guide is that it worsens crowding and erosion problems at the better lines. It tends to replace and discourage some local guides (which usually channel revenue back to the climbing area), and at other areas climbers will soon need a more comprehensive guide. Farris makes the best of the format by giving good coverage where local guides are hard to find, and plainly stating in the Devil's Lake section that climber seeking solitude (and about 1400 more routes) should get the easy-to-find local guide.

More importantly, Farris addresses ethics clearly and directly. He makes strong cases for local ethics, erosion control and good behavior where other authors waver. His writing is friendly but concise, and it comes across convincingly.

This book is not a good choice for those looking to climb mainly at a particular area (especially Devil's Lake) or with new climbers anywhere. But for visitors to the region or infrequent climbers, this is an unusually worthwhile best-of guide.