Authors: John Coefield and Jon Barton
Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing

Not another guide to the peak district, I hear you cry! That was my initial thought when I saw "Peak District: Climbing" on the shop bookcase. But before you navigate back to the BBC news page (or whichever other website you visit when you’re bored), let me explain how this particular peak guide is different, and how it represents a breath of fresh air for one of the world’s most popular climbing areas.

Style
This is the first thing that strikes you about this guide – the graphics and general design make this a stylish guidebook. Like "Peak District: Bouldering", the comprehensive sister volume published in 2005, the book has a ‘coffee table’ feel to it. The cover image certainly contributes to this, and gives a nice bookshelf feel to the volume. Unlike many guidebooks, the cover image of Peak District: Climbing is really captivating – a close up image demonstrating the concentration involved when fiddling wires into a horizontal gritstone break.

The good impressions continue when you delve inside – the first few pages set the tone for the rest of the book giving a good mix of text and photos and a well laid out feel. The pages are packed full of the kind of information you need, but manage to retain an uncluttered feel at the same time. Needless to say, the photos are all top quality, and prove that the routes do not need to be desperately hard to make inspiring photos! The photo topos are particularly impressive – clearer and with more depth than any others I’ve come across, and adding to the usability of the guide significantly.


With this and other recent publications, like Scottish Rock by Garry Latter [read a review of Scottish Rock here] it seems clear to me that the standard of production in the world of climbing guidebooks is dramatically improving. This is true to the extent that Peak District: Climbing is almost too nice to take out to the crag!

Which brings me to my only (slight) criticism- I would prefer if it came with a plastic dust cover like many of the climbers’ club guides. I feel that this might help keep it from getting too ‘dog eared’. The good news is that Sheffield based publishers Vertebrate Graphics have gone for a standard portrait format rather than the landscape design of the bouldering volume. This should make it less prone to abuse.

Choice of routes
The authors have made the wise choice of aiming this at the majority of climbers who operate at the most popular grades. This means that its remit in terms of crags and climbs featured is huge.

The crags that are covered could be described as the cream of Peak District climbing. A combination of limestone and gritstone, traditional and bolt protected routes as well as the best of the bouldering means that Peak District: Climbing really does cover all the bases. Gone are the days when you need to pack several guidebooks in case it’s too hot for the grit/ the limestone is seeping – this one has it all.

Nice Little Extras
As well as the general design and style of the guide, and the wise choice of the most popular routes, what makes it really stand out from the crowd are the various added extras.
Because of the range of routes included, this guide is likely to appeal to beginners and improvers as well as more experienced climbers who only climb occasionally. Because of this the inclusion of additional tips seems entirely appropriate, and I feel that this may be something that will make this a popular edition.

Sections on technique, grading, rock types, access and basic rock skills are interspersed within the text and offer light relief.


One of the things I have noticed about climbers is that most really want to improve so that they can attempt all the classic routes or boulder problems that are at the next grade. Owners of Peak District: Climbing are treated to advice about which classics might be good for those wanting to push to the next level in “the next step” sections which relate to the notorious grade boundaries of Font 7a, French 7a and E1. As well as these, list lovers will be further satisfied with the “Top Tens” section near the end of the book. These list the best crack climbs, ‘spacewalks’ and routes that might be good as first leads.

It is these touches that make this guide more than just another take on a selective guide to the peak district. It serves as a handy companion to novice and experienced climbers alike.

Summary
A very stylish, well designed and useful guide to some of the best routes and crags the Peak District has to offer. Peak District: Climbing is a very welcome addition to my bookshelf and will be treasured by climbers of all abilities. The appealing layout and the extra touches will make this guide very difficult to put down!
I would not hesitate to recommend this guidebook to anyone visiting the Peak District, as this is the standard other selective guides will be judged by.

Featured Crags Birchen Edge, Burbage North, Burbage South, Cratcliffe Tor and Robin Hood's Stride, Curbar, Froggatt, Lawrencefield, Millstone, Rivelin, Stanage, Castle Naze, Hen Cloud, Kinder North, Kinder South, The Roaches, Wimberry, Windgather, Cheedale: Blackwell Halt, Harborough Rocks, Harpur Hill Quarry, Horseshoe Quarry, Staden Quarry, Stoney Middleton, Wildcat

Purchase Peak District Climbing here.