"If there is only one 'how to' book to read for the aspirant and expert alike, it is Freedom of the Hills. In fact, it is fair to say that Freedom is the definitive guide to mountains and climbing and has influenced pretty much every climber." -- Conrad Anker * 50th anniversary edition of the title considered "bible" of climbing * With nearly 1 million copies sold, this is the all-time bestselling mountaineering and climbing title * Printed on 100% recycled paper Since the publication of the first edition in 1960, Freedom, as the book is known, has endured as a classic mountaineering text. From choosing equipment to tying a climbing knot, and from basic rappelling techniques to planning an expedition -- it's all here in this essential mountaineering reference. A team of more than 40 experts -- all active climbers and climbing educators -- reviewed, revised, and updated this compendium to reflect the latest evolutions in mountaineering equipment and techniques. Major updates include a significant new chapter on conditioning, plus detailed and extensive revisions to rescue and first-response, aid climbing, and waterfall and ice climbing.