How to Rock Climb

The most comprehensive and trusted instructional climbing book in the world, now in its sixth edition. John Long and Bob Gaines have been teaching people to climb for decades, and this book distills that experience into a clear, well-organized guide that takes you from your first day on rock to confident outdoor climbing.

Why Start Here

Most climbing books either focus on one narrow aspect of the sport or assume you already know the basics. “How to Rock Climb” assumes nothing. It starts with how to move on rock, covering footwork, balance, handholds, and body positioning. Then it builds systematically through the skills you need: knots, harnesses, belay devices, anchors, top-roping, leading, rappelling, and multi-pitch climbing. Each chapter builds on the last, so you develop your skills in a logical progression.

What makes this book stand out from competitors is how it balances thoroughness with readability. Long’s writing is direct and occasionally funny, which keeps you engaged through the more technical sections. The sixth edition includes more than 400 color photographs and illustrations that make complex concepts like anchor building and belay transitions much easier to understand than text alone could manage.

The book covers both sport climbing and traditional (trad) climbing, giving you a foundation in both disciplines. It also includes sections on climbing ethics and environmental responsibility, which matter more than ever as climbing grows in popularity.

What to Expect

A substantial 416-page book that you will not read cover to cover in one sitting. Instead, you will likely read the early chapters on movement and safety, head to the gym or crag to practice, then come back and read the next section. It works well as both a learning tool and a reference you return to as your skills develop. The tone is encouraging without being patronizing. Long and Gaines clearly want you to succeed, but they never downplay the seriousness of the safety systems that keep climbers alive.