Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills - 10th Edition by Mountaineers Books

About the Book

A comprehensive and vital update to the recognized "bible" of the climbing world

Book Synopsis

"A notorious reference for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts!" --Lynn Hill

• More than 800,000 copies sold since the first edition was published in 1960, and translated into 12 languages
• Detailed instructions and hundreds of illustrations share the latest in best practices
• Researched and written by a team of expert climbers, guides, and instructors

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the most significant guidebook ever published. Born from the handwritten climbing tips of early volunteers of the Seattle-based Mountaineers organization, this fundamental how-to manual has inspired emerging climbers around the globe across nine editions for more than six decades.

Mountaineers Books is proud to present the 10th edition of this master guide, commonly referred to as "Freedom." From planning a weekend backpacking trip to navigating the logistics of a months-long alpine expedition, from tying knots and hitches to essential belaying and rappelling techniques, from setting up camp in the wilderness to summiting glaciated peaks--this comprehensive textbook written by climbers for climbers covers it all.

Review Quotes

Freedom does a remarkable job of staying not just current, but on the cutting edge. Turning on new climbers to this resource is one of the best things I can do to prepare them for life in the big hills.--Dave Hahn

Freedom is truly the Everest of mountaineering texts and a great preparation for a life wandering among high hills, including the big one itself.--Tom Hornbein

A 'must have' for any aspiring mountaineer's library.--Ed Viesturs

A notorious reference for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts!--Lynn Hill

If the mountains are my church, then Freedom is my bible. . . . As a very young climber I read it cover to cover, then dug through it again and again for nuggets of wisdom. I still do.--Will Gadd

In my early years of heading into the mountains I used Freedom of the Hills to learn how to calculate fuel needs for the backcountry, to study crevasse rescue, and in general to just muse about the alpine craft. Everyone should have a copy of this standard tome.--Kit DesLauriers

It is fair to say that Freedom is the definitive guide to mountain and climbing.--Conrad Anker

Not long after I learned to read, I would grip the flashlight in my teeth and stay awake late into the night scouring my parent's copy of the 3rd edition of Freedom of the Hills. . . . What this book captured, what it meant, what it hinted at that was so crucial to my fascination with mountaineering was this: Freedom, itself, was the most important thing. Freedom to explore who I am. Freedom afforded by learned skills to explore any mountain wilderness. Freedom to move, to climb. It's what still drives me today.--Steve House

The lessons I learned in the Mountaineers climbing course in 1945 stood me on the summit of Mount Everest in 1963. To see that knowledge put into a book was wonderful. That it has evolved into the best book on climbing, updated by active climbers, is remarkable. I have told many people, including my sons, 'If you want to climb mountains, read Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. Then read it again so you know, for sure, how to get down.'--Jim Whittaker

The 2nd edition of Freedom of the Hills jump-started my climbing education. The manual's content has kept pace with the evolution of the sport and should be considered mandatory reading for every mountain climber. This truly remarkable resource has no equal in any language.--Mark Twight