Downward Bound: A Mad! Guide to Rock Climbing

by Beryl Knauth and Warren Harding

Book Overview

Downward Bound is Warren Harding's offbeat and inventive climbing classic. Harding gives readers an introduction to climbing and recounts his first ascents of the Nose and the Wall of the Early Morning Light on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. The introduction to rock climbing and big walls is farcical. The tales of his ascents are vivid. And throughout he strives to return some of the fun to climbing through humorous story telling of the climbing...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1940777402
• ISBN13: 9781940777405
• Release Date: March 2016
• Publisher: Joseph Reidhead & Company Publishers
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Truly a Mad! guide to Rock Climbing

Been reading a lot lately about the early (pioneers) of rock climbing. American as well as European. And this one was really fun to read. Nice written and it sure tells a lot of what was going on between those early climbers... Thx a lot!

A classic book from the early days of Yosemite

A very humorous book from the early days of Yosemite climbing. The famous Batso Harding pokes fun at the legendary elitists (essentially Royal Robbins) of the period, and offers his own fun filled guide to the sport of rock-climbing. This book is filled with great cartoon style sketches, and actually offers some valuable insight into the sport. An all-time classic book from the early days of big-wall climbing. Warren was on the first team of climbers to climb El Capitan, and numerous other hard routes in the Sierras. He was notorious for a life style that included lots of wine, woman, and fast cars. Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet

Funniest Thing since Sliced Spam (Fell Off Ledge Laughing)

Not only is this book the ftsss (see above) but it actually has a lot of useful information. I learned a lot about climbing (aid techniques, history, choice of beverage) from reading it. The cartoons are the best part, but many readers will also appreciate the author's well-aimed (but funny) criticism of the elitist, pompous hypocrites who are way too common in the rock climbing world.

Hilarious

I got this book after reading Roper's 'Camp 4.' Warren 'Batso' Harding seemed like such a interesting character and he is. Originally written as a sort of introduction to climbing techniques guide, this book is now a interesting autobiography/history. If you were interested in the Robbins/Harding dichotomy of 'Camp 4,' you'll be interested in Harding's side of the story and its just so damn funny.