Cascade Cache

Fred Beckey’s likely tagged more virgin summits than any American, so it’s fitting that his Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3: Third Edition ($34.95, mountaineersbooks.org) contains a famously encyclopedic array of information, with everything from 3-D maps, to dissertations on natural science and human history. This expanded, updated edition covers the North Cascades, including mounts Shuksan, Slesse, and Baker, the Liberty Bell Group, and the Picket Range. Climbs here often have complex approaches, yet “Beckey-isms” — such as the infamous “obvious descent gully” — have mostly disappeared in favor of more concrete prose. The update lacks a few recent routes, such as on Shuksan, but thoroughly covers new activity on Slesse. Beckey’s classic tomes deserve the homes they’ve found with climbers/collectors everywhere.