Climbing Through The Looking Glass (working title)

Author: Mark Radtke

Provisional Release date: Late 2010

Synopsis

‘Climbing Through The Looking Glass’ transports the reader through two of the most influential periods in modern British rock climbing development. It illustrates how emerging styles and approaches during the 80’s and 90’s bring differing values into conflict. Exposing the motives of influential activists the narrative shows how this melting pot of change shaped the very nature of the sport today.

With humour and candour, Mark Radtke reveals how his childhood experiences of growing up in a Yorkshire mining town in the 1960’s subconsciously shaped his own attitudes to climbing – a pastime that provided reward, but almost killed him three times.

With over a hundred new routes to his credit, the author is able to comment with objectivity and credibility about contentious issues surrounding climbing styles and ethics.

Radtke’s personal experiences of a particularly vibrant climbing community in the North of England, brings the story alive. His friendship with influential climbers from the 70’s and 80’s to the present day, makes him uniquely placed to provide factual first hand commentary on crucial historical developments that paved the way to today’s rock climbing scene.

The richness and colour of the climbing culture during this fundamental period, is illuminated with intimate insights into the make up and character of some of Britain’s brilliant pioneering climber.

The book aims to connect people with the intangible human quest for self-fulfilment and leave them reflecting on its relevance in today’s materialistic society.

Ultimately it offers up the question:  How a sport with its roots in a quest for human self fulfilment can survive in today’s materialistic society.