Plaisir Elbsandstein Rock Climbing Guidebook

The Elbe Sandstone rock climbing area is located to the southeast of Dresden on the Czech border. These sandstone towers offer some of the most scenic climbing in Europe, and this guidebook describes a selection of more than 300 of the most popular routes, mainly up to around F6b. It covers the Bielatal, Tafelberge, Rathen, Schrammsteine, and Falkenstein areas around the town of Bad Schandau.

The Elbe sandstone region offers a very unique climbing experience. Essentially no trad gear such as nuts and cams are allowed. A long-standing climbing tradition lasting more than 150 years rules here - there is a small amount of fixed gear in the way of rings, and then slings for threads or knotted slings to insert into cracks are also used.

The amount of fixed gear and the availability to insert the knotted slings into cracks varies widely from route to route. However the guidebook uses an E grade system to evaluate the route. If there is no E grade then there are plenty of rings or easy to place protection. The system goes from E1 to E4, ranging from a limited number of rings and slightly exposed route, to badly or not protectable and very exposed route.

All the routes are shown on colour topos along with a brief description, with the number of rings shown on the topos. UIAA grades are used throughout the guidebook. The guidebook is split into 7 main areas that are split down into further sectors. For each main area there is a clear location map, and GPS co-ordinates for the parking areas.

Published in May 2019 this guidebook is in German text throughout but the access information is easy to understand. It includes some fantastic action shots, plus there some photographs showing the type of knotted slings to use and how to place them in the cracks.

Each guidebook has unique code to download an App to the full guidebook that is free of charge.

Number of pages is 368.
Size is 150mm x 183mm.
ISBN is 9783956110719.