The Art of Climbing
I’m delighted to announce the publication of my new book — The Art of Climbing! This is a 256-page coffee-table book that features the best of my work from the last 30 years, so it is my magnum opus, and I could not be happier with the result!
The Art of Climbing is published by Thames and Hudson (UK) and, in my humble opinion, they have done an incredible job. I don’t mean with just the design and reproduction, but with the way they’ve created a book that is interesting at so many levels. In particular, I love the themes that we’ve come up with to make sense of my “body of work” and are also a fresh and inspiring way to look at climbing itself. These themes (chapters) connect to the fundamentals of what makes climbing so incredible and unique. Some themes focus on the intensity of the experience, others on the spectacular landscapes we get to know and love, and many celebrate the incredible rock architecture — the Formations, Lines, Walls, Aretes and Overhangs — that inspires us as climbers (and photographers) and which we make our playgrounds. Some of the world’s most inspirational climbers joined with me to write short stories to introduce and develop these themes. I think this is an original and fascinating way to look at climbing, which will resonate with many of you. For photographers, there is a bunch of “behind the scenes” beta at the back of the book. And for the icing on the cake, the Foreward is by Adam Ondra, the legend of legends.
There is much I’d love to say but right now, since I’m sure you’ll love this book, please check it out and see for yourself.
This link — www.onsight.com.au/art — should give you everything you need.
You can order the book directly from me there — and I sure appreciate that (copies will be “signed by the author” at this stage) and there is information on where else it is available too. Basically, the book is now available in Australia and the UK, North America, and is now finding its way into some EU countries.
Reviews! Reviews! Reviews!
Don’t just take my word for it. The Art of Climbing has already been getting some incredible reviews, including one in The Conversation, one in Digital Camera World, and one in Common Climber. But if you’ve already seen the book, I’d love it if you would please take a moment to spread the word by writing a review of your own on my website. To do that, just go to that link above and click the “Reviews” tab.
Thank you so much to all of you who have followed and supported my work, and shared in this incredible journey along the way. ❤️❤️❤️
What a ride! Hopefully, it’s not over yet.
The following pics are some of my favourites from the book… but first, THE BOOK!
More soon.
~ Simon
Presenting… The Art of Climbing!
Lynn Hill leading pitch two (25, 5.12b) of The Free Route on The Totem Pole.
Ben Heason, Slipstream (E6, 6b), Rainbow Slab, Llanberis Slate Quarries, Wales, UK.
John Smoothy making the most of an early start for Checkpoint Charlie (21) in the Blue Mountains.
Amazing icicle formations set the scene for Will Gadd to attempt Phyllis Diller (M10), a hard mixed route, in a cave on the Stanley Headwall, British Columbia, Canada.
Lee Cujes making the first ascent of License to Climb Harder (7c), on The Face in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Mike Doyle, pitch two of The Backbone (13a), with Monique Forestier belaying, Monkey Face, Smith Rock, Oregon, USA.
Lee Cossey attempting his 55m project, which he climbed on his next attempt, and called Sneaky Snake (33) on Taipan Wall, Grampians.
Evan Stevens, Priapos (7c), Grande Grotta, Kalymnos, Greece.
In a nice synergy to finish off this email, here’s my pic of Ben Cossey on his then project, which has now just become known as Light Weight Baby (35), as it features in The Art of Climbing as the “Overhangs” chapter opener, to introduce Adam Ondra’s awesome story that he wrote for the book. Get your copy here.