If you don't have the budget for private mountain climbing lessons, the next best thing would be learning from a well-written mountain climbing book. Here's how to choose the right mountain climbing book for you.

LEVEL - Although mountain climbing books aren't as abundant as cookbooks on the market, you're still sure to find a couple to choose from. The first factor to consider is to look for a mountain climbing book that's appropriate for your level. There are books that are published to help readers get started on mountain climbing, there are some that will help people learn intermediate techniques while there are others that will teach you to become professional mountain climbers.

SUBJECT MATTER - Mountain climbing books may focus on discussing the sport in a general sense or focus on a particular aspect. Be sure that the subject matter of the book is the one you're looking for because mountain climbing books don't come cheap.

LENGTH - Mountain climbing books may be short and resemble a novella or as long as full-length paperbacks. Choose what you're more likely to read.

WRITING STYLE - Some people prefer to learn from books that discuss everything in a simple, straightforward step-by-step basis. Others may prefer to learn mountain climbing techniques with visual aids. A few may prefer to learn and be entertained at the same time. To determine if the writing style of a particular book is suitable for you, consider reading one whole chapter of each mountain climbing book that you come across.

After reading, evaluate the chapter you've read. Did you find the text easy to understand? Were you entertained or bored? Did you learn something of value?

AUTHOR - It's important to consider the writer behind the mountain climbing book as well. If the author's biography isn't provided in the book, research for the author's profile to know what his qualifications are for writing such a manual. If you don't find anything that will support or refute the author's credibility, consider looking for another book.

FEEDBACK - Of course, don't neglect to research the opinions, comments, and reviews of other people. Search for book reviews written by professional critics and try to determine its present ranking and whether it belongs to the bestsellers' list in its genre.

PRICE - Lastly, don't forget to consider the price. Some may be cheaper than others because they're printed on paper that's of lower quality. You'll usually need several books to read and study to learn what you have to know of mountain climbing so set a budget for yourself as well.