Climbing book review – Ron Fawcett – Rock Athlete

Before I begin this review I would like to firstly thank Vertebrate Publishing for sending me a copy of this fantastic book (signed copy too), and secondly to apologise for taking so long to get this review written!

It’s taken me a while to read Rock Athlete, partly because I have been really busy recently and have only been able to read for an hour in the evenings, but also because it’s so fascinating I found myself reading many paragraphs more than once. Even interrupting my girlfriends TV viewing to read some of them aloud to her.

Every sport has its heroes, and I’m enjoying discovering those from the sport of Rock Climbing. Up until reading this book, I have to confess I hadn’t heard of Ron Fawcett so I probably wouldn’t have considered purchasing his autobiography. Now, having just finished reading it, I feel both inspired and humbled.

The book starts with the narrative of a truly exceptional feat. In 1986, in the Peak District Ron soloed 100 Extreme graded routes in one day! I actually read it wrong to start with, I think my mind must have been unable to comprehend it because I read it as 100 severe graded routes, but no, it was 100 extremes – staggering! If you’re thinking they must be E1s, think again – they go right up to E5! By the end of that day Ron had climbed 3,957ft, and the walking and running between the totaled 12 miles! This sets the tone for the book and demonstrates how appropriate the title is, Ron Fawcett is an incredible athlete.

If you enjoy rock climbing and adventure, you’ll love this book. Working class lad born in Embsay, near Skipton in West Yorkshire develops an all encompassing love of rock climbing which becomes the centre of his life and takes him all over the world. From cragging in West Yorkshire to massive multi-pitch routes on El Capitan, from climbing documentaries shot in the Peaks for the BBC to movies shot on the Aiguille des Drus. This book charts the highs and lows of a life dedicated to climbing.

This book features loads of first ascents. It’s really interesting to read about the process of spotting a first ascent, the competition for claiming them and the arguments over ethics. If you want to know more about the history of the last 40 years of rock climbing, there’s a wealth of information here from the perspective of one of its stars.

There’s some great pictures too.

By far and away the most engaging autobiography I have ever read – brilliant!

If you would like to buy Ron Fawcett, Rock Athlete, can I recommend our new online climbing books shop.