UIAA Guidebook Standards

The UIAA wants to make it easier for climbers to use local guidebooks when they go abroad. Therefore we have developed international standards for guidebooks which are easy to use even for someone with little knowledge of the local language.

The books must use symbols that are compatible with the UIAA examples of icons used in topos and have a table showing the relationship between the UIAA scale of difficulties and the scale used in the guidebook. It must also contain a sketch-map of the area.  

In addition there must be accident and rescue information (including telephone numbers) and a short explanation of any access or environmental restrictions, preferably in English. This is to help climbers from other countries to understand the local difficulties and any special hazards or environmental considerations.

Publishers interested in using the UIAA logo should read the Guidebook standards guidelines and contact the UIAA.

Look for the UIAA logo!