International crag library

Gauging interest in starting a coop for international guidebooks. I'm not sure about you but sometimes, it doesn’t make sense for me to buy a book if I'm only visiting the country/crag once. I saw someone in the Sardinia thread offering to loan her book & realized I'm probably not the only 1.

Currently, I have books for the blue mountains & nowra in Australia, Catalunya in Spain, Pitumarca in Peru & Kalymnos in Greece. I'm willing to loan these out, I just ask that whoever borrows it takes care of it & pays for shipping. 

I dont know man. If someone has enough $$ to go on an international climbing trip dont you think they should at least contribute to the local guidebook revenue? Seems stingy. I know your heart is in the right place but… it rubs me the wrong way. Open to my opinion being destroyed and to be called an asshole… have at me. 

I agree that it really isn't practical unless it's within your immediate friend group.  There will be shipping costs if you can't meet up.  Inevitably some will get damaged or lost.  And hard copy guidebooks are pretty much obsolete (says the guy who just bought 4 because I am going to Sardinia in 2 weeks).  

Instead of a loaner, maybe just offer a guidebook for sale with no expectation for a return?  Especially ones that are an edition or two behind current.

That said, I loan out a fair number of guidebooks to local friends.  Handy to have a few folks that travel to trade amongst.  But, I can't see the cost of mailing then returning a book being that practical for most folks.  

American Alpine Club Library exists already and does a great job at this. I just borrowed a book for a trip to Korea. Highly recommend folks check them out. They pay shipping to you and you pay shipping back.

Oh nice. Didn't know that. I'll check it out. Thanks! 

Cool idea! Although there does seem to be some haters. I think you should just keep putting the word out there! Make a simple website to connect people if you feel so inclined and all those not in favor feel free to not participate.  Love libraries. Love aac library, and love this idea :) 

Also to the haters: my arco book cost 45 euros, so 50 plus usd and i had to pay international shipping - i forgot how much that was. Would have made more sense financially to do flat rate shipping with someone like jeremey, would have saved $30 at least. One more pizza in italy always sounds good :) And for all you rich dirtbags, good for you ;) lol. I do personally love my guidebook library, but costs start to add up :) i get wanting to support the local community with guidebooks, but usually there is a way to donate if you feel so inclined to help with rebolting etc. Maybe some of the money saved from borrowing a guidebook can go to that. I usually try to donate to a local club when i travel even in the US. Or if you love the guidebook and decide you want to go back buy it then. Some alternative thoughts - im sure ill get ripped apart with comments. Xo everyone.  

Kiki Nwrote:

Also to the haters: my arco book cost 45 euros, so 50 plus usd and i had to pay international shipping - i forgot how much that was. Would have made more sense financially to do flat rate shipping with someone like jeremey, would have saved $30 at least. One more pizza in italy always sounds good :) And for all you rich dirtbags, good for you ;) lol. I do personally love my guidebook library, but costs start to add up :) i get wanting to support the local community with guidebooks, but usually there is a way to donate if you feel so inclined to help with rebolting etc. Maybe some of the money saved from borrowing a guidebook can go to that. I usually try to donate to a local club when i travel even in the US. Or if you love the guidebook and decide you want to go back buy it then. Some alternative thoughts - im sure ill get ripped apart with comments. Xo everyone.  

Don't see any 'haters' --very strong word, responding here, just folks who legitimately have reasonable questions about the proposal. Reasonable questions, doubts, even disagreement are, or should be, part of normal discussion---'hate' is something else entirely. Personally, I think it would be worth a try, but do wonder how much it would be used in practice.

Kiki Nwrote:

Also to the haters: my arco book cost 45 euros, so 50 plus usd and i had to pay international shipping - i forgot how much that was. Would have made more sense financially to do flat rate shipping with someone like jeremey, would have saved $30 at least. One more pizza in italy always sounds good :) And for all you rich dirtbags, good for you ;) lol. I do personally love my guidebook library, but costs start to add up :) i get wanting to support the local community with guidebooks, but usually there is a way to donate if you feel so inclined to help with rebolting etc. Maybe some of the money saved from borrowing a guidebook can go to that. I usually try to donate to a local club when i travel even in the US. Or if you love the guidebook and decide you want to go back buy it then. Some alternative thoughts - im sure ill get ripped apart with comments. Xo everyone.  

Also, don’t forget that we live in a different world now. De minimis exemption is gone, and you now have to pay a tariff and a processing fee. Not an insignificant portion Euro retailers are even refusing to ship to the U.S. as the hassle is not worth it. Could you buy a book once you arrive?  Sure you could, but I really like to dissect the area before arrival. 

it seems like there’s enough information online to plan trips these days.  mp is really UScentric, but other sites focus more on europe.

otoh, i always try to get my hands on guide books for a variety of reasons, the info, supporting the author (guidebooks are an incredible amount of work!!!), and the history.

yep, certain places have completely stopped shipping/mail to the US (austria for example).

Thanks for the support Kiki, Arco is on my list so I'll remember to reach out when I finally decide to go. I'll be borrowing your book if that's ok.

Alan, my kids have told me that "haters" is slang for someone who disagrees with your idea. I don't think Kiki meant anything more by it.

Frank, same. I like planning my trips & nerding out on a guidebook helps to build the hype (like I needed help). With de minimis ending, it's significantly harder to get international stuff in.

Old5ten, I did go to thecrag.com to do some recon but guidebooks have more info. I understand supporting the author & appreciate the work required to put it together but if you're only planning on hitting the crag once, it's just another book on the shelf gathering dust after 1 or 2 weeks of use. Then I'm selling it in the for sale forum for half price.

In this case for chulilia, my buddy & I decided that it's probably worth a 2nd (& 3rd) visit so we'll probably purchase a book. I've already decided to join AAC when I go for quick side trips. Benefits look pretty good for the price.