In Born to Climb, anthropologist and climber Zofia Reych shares the fascinating cultural history of rock and competition climbing. Reych offers a fresh perspective on some of the pivotal moments and outstanding individuals of the sport, from eighteenth-century exploratory forays on rock, via the rise of climbing legends such as Emilio Comici, Wolfgang Güllich and Lynn Hill, to the limelight of the Olympic arena for the stars of today – Janja Garnbret, Adam Ondra, Shauna Coxsey and more.
 
But Born to Climb is much more than a celebration of the sport’s famous people and places: it is an examination of modern sporting participation and culture, interwoven with the author’s own climbing journey. While the writing is engaging and often funny, Reych is not afraid to broach sensitive and often overlooked topics, including gender divide, capitalism and the tension between aesthetic and athletic approaches to climbing, in what is a must-read for all climbers.
 
You can request a custom, handwritten dedication from the author at checkout.
 
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vertebrate Publishing Ltd (June 16, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1839811528
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1839811524
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.52 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.38 x 0.55 x 9.45 inches