Beyond the Vertical

by Layton Kor

Layton Kor is pre-eminent in American mountaineering. He is considered the best rock climber of his generation, and his list of first ascents of technically difficult rock climbs, both free and aid, is perhaps unmatched by any American climber. In this book Kor tells the story in his own words of these groundbreaking and suspenseful climbs.

Supplementing Kor's narrative are twenty-three accounts written by other leading climbers of the 1960s and 1970s, describing ascents they did with Royal Robbins, Fred Beckey, Pat Ament, Chris Bonington, Steve Roper, Huntley Ingalls, and many more share their perspectives.

Kor's climbs have become some of the most famous routes in the world—the Naked Edge in Eldorado Canyon, the Diamond on Longs Peak, the Salathe Wall on El Capitan in Yosemite, the North Face of the Eiger in the Alps…the list goes on. Written in a straighforward and engaging style, and accompanied by stunning, historical color photographs, Beyond the Vertical is a must-have for all rock climbers and armchair mountaineers alike.

Genres: Climbing

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Arjun Boddu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty eh. The way it’s told makes it hard to read. But glad I read it

[Ryan Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After talking to the other old dudes I think this might be a bleached version of Kor's life.

Still amazing :-)

[Jean Dupenloup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layton Kor was one of the most eminent climbers of his times, putting up an almost unmatched amount of first ascents in the United States and abroad.

While this book is not one the most eminent books of its time, it’s a perfectly entertaining biography with many accounts of hair-raising ascents.

[Kaitlyn Zeichick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to read this since climbing Kor’s flake. His first ascent accounts were as scary and as fun to read about as expected, but the best part about the book were the accounts from his equally famed climbing partners. Also loved the inclusion of pictures

[Cody Oldham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book and it is interesting to learn more about Kor. Still, the risks these guys took and how more of them didn't perish is hard to fathom.