AAC, 2005, 500+ pp, color photos. Every year the AAJ gets better and better, as the journal of record for recording the greatest climbs of the previous year, especially those which do not have their own books. The AAJ is the reference for anyone planning anything new in the mountains or venturing into remote ranges. Nearly 200 pages of exciting stories about the most important climbs of the year-as told by the climbers themselves. Nearly 300 pages of short reports from new routes in the world's mountains-also told by the climbers themselves.
The lead stories for 2005 include the amazing exploits of a passel of American climbers in Pakistan, from Kelly Cordes and Josh Wharton on the massive Azeem Ridge of Great Trango (probably the biggest technical route ever climbed), to Steve House's final solo success on K7, and several near-misses on Nanga Parbat. Peter Croft shares his binge of standard-busting new routes in California's High Sierra. The huge Russian success on the north face of Jannu, the spectacular new route on Cerro Torre, and the bizarre 'free' ascent of the Hallucinogen Wall, all highlight the best of 2004.
The American Alpine Journal is edited by John Harlin III, author of The Climber's Guide to North America and Mount Rainier: Views and Adventures, and a veteran of first ascents and/or first ski descents on four continents. Rumor has it that other members of his family also climbed.
