UKC

Recommendations for best guidebook(s)to buy for the Cordillera Blanca, for climbing/mountaineering rather than walking routes.

In reply to Martin Haworth:

Read/heard this one being recommended: http://www.bookdepository.com/Classic-Climbs-Cordillera-Blanca-Peru-2009-Br...

Don't have it, and never been in the Cordillera Blanca though.

In reply to Martin Haworth:

If you have a reasonable grasp of Spanish:

Escaladas en Los Andes by Juanjo Tome

Published by Desnivel

ISBN 84-89969-43-4

is very good.

Jase

In reply to SerenGib: Yep, we used that one as a basis for researching climbs and purchased a good map (there were some good 1:25 000 ones avaialable when we went) and just scanned & laminated info as appropriate. The content was easily good enough for us to plan, access and complete climbs.

I would recommend it.

In reply to Martin Haworth:
Not sure how good it is, but John Biggar ( who runs the Andes trekking/climbing company ) has a book :-
http://www.andes.org.uk/andes-guidebooks.asp#The Andes - A Guide for Climbers

In reply to steelbru:

Biggars book and Brad Johnsons books are all right, though nothing can stay too accurate as route's seem to change season by season depending on conditions. Johnsons is just on the Blanca, so is more detailed than Biggars, which is on the whole Andes, so I would go for the Johnson book (But it is not completely accurate, especially the description for how to get to Esphinge!!!) There are a few climbers cafes (Cafe Andio and Cafe California,) in Huraz that have the books so you can read up/photograph routes without having to buy the books. Summitpost is good too for an online look.

In reply to Martin Haworth: I've used David Sharman's guide book on my trips to the Blanca. It is pretty accurate and has a good coverage, though I would suggest that you get updates from Club Andino. Remember that there has been plenty of glacial retreat during the 15 or so yrs since it was published and that some of the lower pitches have lost their snow and ice. A great range to climb in, enjoy it.....GD

In reply to Martin Haworth: Thanks everyone for the responses.

In reply to steelbru:
Brad J's book is definitely more detailed on the Blanca than mine, but my book comes with free after sales service!