Climber’s Guide to the Cascade and Olympic Mountains of Washington, Second Edition, by a committee of the Cascade Section of the American Alpine Club, chairman George R. Sainsbury, illustrations by Dee Molenaar. American Alpine Club, 1961. Price $5.00 ($4.00 to members of A.A.C.).

After the sellout of the previous editions of the “Beckey Guide” it was decided to completely revise and up-date the material. The new edition describes some 980 routes as compared to around 580 in the 1949 edition. Essentially all known climbs have been covered, including those on practice rocks. The route descriptions are the result of a committee effort and naturally there is some lack of uniform viewpoint and style. An extensive review and checking procedure has been very successful. in eliminating gross inconsistencies and the guide is probably as accurate as it is possible to produce for a range so large and complex as the Cascades. The line drawings by Dee Molenaar are the outstanding feature of the new edition. The preparation of a guide of this scope is a tremendous effort and the climbers and mountain travelers of Washington will be indebted for many years to come to George Sainsbury and his committee (of which Fred Beckey was, of course, a primary member and contributor).

Thomas W. Miller