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6 Climbing Books to Read on Rest Days

“There are two motives for reading a book; one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.” ― Bertrand Russell

Some days make you want to stay inside and curl up with a good book. Or at least that’s what I would want to do. Something you may not know about me is I’m an avid reader. Books are what I pursue if I’m not bouldering. Here are some climbing or bouldering related books I’ve read or am in the process of reading if you’re looking for something to pick up or download.

Bouldering Movement, Tactics, and Problems Solving by Peter Beal

Bouldering Movement, Tactics, and Problems Solving by Peter Beal

Bouldering Movement is the first book about bouldering I’ve read. My husband gave it to me as a Christmas gift. The author, Peter Beal, has bouldered for years and shared a lot of wisdom in the book. The topics in Bouldering Movement cover the history of bouldering, technique, movement, training and injury prevention, and more. In the technique chapter, Beal discusses how to execute hand and foot techniques well. A lot of what I’ve learned about bouldering came from this book. I think Bouldering Movement is an easy and excellent read for someone who’s interested in knowing more about bouldering.


Learning to Climb Indoors by Eric J. Hörst

Learning to Climb Indoors by Eric J. Hörst

Learning to Climb Indoors is a good introductory book about climbing. This book’s focus is for a reader who is learning how to climb or never has and wants to learn about the sport. Many of the book’s topics cover gear and safety, skills, techniques, and other climbing related subjects. One thing the author illustrates is drills one can practice improving her/his climbing technique. That’s something I like about the book and appreciate.


Maximum Climbing: Mental Training for Peak Performance and Optimal Experience by Eric J. Hörst

Maximum Climbing: Mental Training for Peak Performance and Optimal Experience by Eric J. Hörst

As I’ve learned how to and continue to boulder, there’s a mental aspect to climbing, not just physical. However, the physical is what climbers focus on the most. Maximum Climbing helps the reader understand why psychological development in climbing is essential. Hörst does mention some of this in Learning to Climb Indoors, but this book goes much more in-depth.

The author offers tips climbers can use to improve their self-awareness on the rock. Plus, Hörst mentions ways to use your brain like an extra appendage while climbing. I’ve started reading the book but haven’t finished it for numerous reasons. So, I’m starting the book over to refresh what I’ve learned and understand it better.

High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love and Gravity by Steph Davis

High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love and Gravity by Steph Davis

Davis’ High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love and Gravity is the first non-educational book I’ve bought about climbing. Steph Davis is a world-known professional climber who was the first woman to free climb (climbing without gear or protection) the Salathe wall on El Capitán in Yosemite. This book captures Davis’ climbing journey more like a personal journal than a biography. You can almost feel the rock under your hands as she describes the details of her climbs. I admire Davis as a climber and enjoy reading her story.


Sixty Meters to Anywhere by Brendan Leonard

Sixty Meters to Anywhere by Brendan Leonard

Sixty Meters to Anywhere is Leonard’s memoir of growing up in Iowa and how he found his interest in the outdoors. Leonard battles alcohol addiction through his teenage and young adult life. After spending time in rehab, Brendan moves to Montana to earn his master’s degree in journalism and to stay sober. In Montana, he finds his love of hiking. Three years later, Leonard catches the climbing bug. It’s a short but moving read.

Leonard is also the creator of the website semi-rad.com. Semi-rad is a humorous insight into the outdoors and adventure. It’s worth checking out.


ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong Lean Body for Life by Stacy T. Sims, Ph.D.

ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong Lean Body for Life by Stacy T. Sims, Ph.D.

Now, I know this book isn’t about climbing or anything bouldering related. However, since I’ve started training, I’ve been interested in improving my routine and eating better for bouldering. I don’t remember how I found this book, but I thought it would be useful for me.

I’m currently in the middle of reading it right now. It has useful information about listening to our bodies and how women can best optimize their performance. So far, I’m getting a lot out of it.

You Can Never Have Too Many Books

Just to let you know, I’m always up for book suggestions. Do you have any recommendations for climbing or bouldering related books? If so, let me know in the Facebook comments for this post. Until next time, happy bouldering!