Climbing Resources Library
Explore our club’s collection of available books and a selection of climbing videos that we find helpful below. These resources can be valuable in your learning journey, but please remember not to rely solely on them for safe climbing practices. Always prioritize professional training and guidance. We are here to help if needed!
Books
Email womensleadclub@gmail.com to check out any of the books below. We are working on building our library so please let us know if you have any books you’d like to donate to the club!
Training & Education
> Advanced Rock Climbing: Mastering Sport and Trad Climbing
Bob Gaines. Falcon Press. 2018.
> Climbing Anchors (how to climb series)
John Long & Bob Gaines. Falcon Press. 2013.
> Climb Injury-Free (A Proven Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation System)
Dr. Jared Vagy, DPT
> Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual
Bob Gaines & Jason D. Martin. Falcon Press. 2014.
Non-fiction
> Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life
Arlene Blum.
> Climbing Free
Lynn Hill with Greg Child
> Valley of Giants (Stories From Women at the Heart of Yosemite Climbing)
Edited by Lauren DeLaunay Miller
Guide books
> A Climber’s Guide to the Sonora Pass Highway
Brad Young, Steve Dawson
> Golden State Bouldering
Kimbrough Moore & Shannon Joslin. Edgewalker Entertainment. 2022.
> High Sierra Climbing 2nd edition
Chris McNamara, McKenzie Long
> Rock Climbing the San Francisco Bay Area
Tresa Black
> Tuolumne Free Climbs 2nd Edition
Greg Barnes, Chris McNamara, Steve Roper
> Yosemite Valley Free Climbs
Greg Barnes, Chris McNamara, Steve Roper, Todd Snyder
Videos & Articles
We curated the following videos and articles that we find helpful for learning about outdoor climbing, knots, safety, gear and more.
General Rope Climbing
Lead belaying
- Belaying techniques: How to belay the leader with a GRIGRI
Knots
- Figure 8: How to Tie a Figure 8 Knot for Climbing – Everything You Need to Know || REI
- Figure 8 on a bight: Learn how to Tie a Figure 8 on a Bight | CMC
- Stopper knot (aka double overhand): Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Stopper Knot
- Clove hitch: Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Clove Hitch
- Bowline: Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Bowline Knot
- Water knot: Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Water Knot
- Double fisherman’s bend: Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Double Fisherman’s Knot
- Munter: Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Munter Hitch
- Overhand bend (aka European death knot or EDK) to join 2 ropes: How to Tie a European Death Knot (Flat Overhand Knot)
Safety
- How to go hands-free while belaying (note: 1:20 describes why we would need to do this)
Gear
Belay devices
Carabiners
Personal Anchor System (PAS)
Gear fail tests & wear and tear
Do it yourself (DIY)
- DIY anchor practice board
- Upcycled Rope Crafts: Rug, gear sling, and more coming soon!
Single-Pitch Outdoor
(top rope & sport climbing)
Building top rope anchors
- How to Set Up a Top Rope Anchor on Two Bolts
- What do I need in a gear kit? Coming soon!
Cleaning top rope anchors
- How to Clean Top Rope Anchors (note: AAC’s official recommendation is to clean to lower)
- Making a ground plan
Types of hardware
Multi-Pitch Climbing
Anchors
- Degree- Coming soon!
Factor 2 falls & anchor protection
Rappelling
How to rappel
Backing up with a friction hitch (aka third hand)
- How to tie an Autoblock: Rock Climbing: How to Tie an Autoblock Knot
- How to tie a Prusik: Rock Climbing: How to Tie a Prusik Knot