by inadequate preparation and errors in judgment. Since 1948,

the American Alpine Club has been documenting the year's

most significant and teachable climbing accidents, providing

invaluable lessons to climbers. Inside the pages of Accidents

in North American Mountaineering, each accident is carefully

analyzed so climbers can learn to avoid similar situations in the

future.

In Accidents' second annual "Know the Ropes" section,

professional mountain guides describe common problems

while lowering a climber from an anchor, a situation that all to

frequently leads to injuries and fatalities. "Know the Ropes"

offers in-depth instruction and copious illustration to help

prevent such avoidable lowering accidents.