Guide Vallot, Volume III — Aiguille Verte, Triolet, Dolent, Argentière, Trient, 3rd Edition, by L. Devies and P. Henry. Paris: Arthaud, 1966. 500 pages, 81 illustrations.

This new edition is not merely an updated guide but a complete revision of the 2nd edition, published in 1959. (The 1st edition was in 1949.) This was written mainly for the following reasons: 1. to point out proper distinctions between the various routes for each “class” of climbers; 2. to pinpoint the exact difficulties and the overall considerations of each climb; 3. to indicate the importance and type of hardware needed; 4. to include routes of descent. The numbering of all climbs is different, a change made because of the many (35) new routes that have been “put up” in the past eight years. The authors, who certainly need no introduction, have done an excellent job on this new edition. The only criticism is that the guide book is rather heavy to take into the field. Perhaps for further editions the guide should be divided and bound in two distinct sections. A special note to rock climbers: whenever a particular section is graded in relation to the number of pitons required, it is assumed that these pitons are in place permanently, with the exception of very long climbs, where the amount of permanent hardware depends on the popularity of the climb.

Leo M. LeBon