Page 43 - Army Mountaineer Winter 2022

THE SECRET WORLD OF WEATHER:
HOW TO READ SIGNS IN EVERY
CLOUD, BREEZE, HILL, STREET,
PLANT, ANIMAL AND DEWDROP
WRITTEN BY TRISTAN GOOLEY TREVIEWED BY ZACK COLEMAN
enable them to understand more about their current and likely future weather.
Gooley’s approach is to work from the sign to the concept, hence the chapter introducingcloudsstartswithsevengolden patterns – e.g., ‘clouds that are much taller thantheyarewideindicatebadweatheris likely’ (p30) – even before grouping clouds into families or linking them to fronts. For the most part, this provides an interesting hook into an accompanying generalist’s explanation of the phenomenon, although those reading cover-to-cover may wish the author had fewer ostensibly carefree moments happily staring into the sky from his West Sussex home, as he so often appears to do. Otherwise, the text has an easy flow, neatly weaving familiar weather lore with perhaps less familiar classical literary references, as well as a touch of the author’s personal experience as an accomplished pilot and sailor.
ristan Gooley’s latest book delights in introducing readers to ‘The Secret World of Weather’,
which begins where the wide-area forecast ends.
The premise is simple: professional forecasters don’t present the weather exactly as we experience it, since their models omit the comparatively small landscape features which shape our local micro-climates. Any mountaineer who, facing a dire forecast, has savvily exploited local knowledge to seize a great day out, will recognise this as a valuable – if obvious – lesson. Those readers wishing to enter the secret world of local weather variations will find themselves patiently introduced to a comprehensive guide of weather signs, observable without specialist equipment or training, which will
While not a textbook, aspirants of moun- taineering qualifications would do well to carefully read the simple but powerful explanations of weather phenomena, invariably reduced down to only air, heat, and water. Gooley is keen to stress that both the signs and their explanations have broad applicability, such that when ‘main- tain[ing] a watch from early afternoon on a sunny summer’s day, the south coast of England metamorphoses into the islands of Polynesia’, at least with respect to cloud formation (p282). Overall, a reader is left with the impression that it pays to be more curious than to assume weather is only what is presented on a surface pressure chart, something to remember when trying to squeeze out that last pitch on a worsening forecast.
The first impressions of the book is that it has grown considerably in size and is a much thicker volume than its previous edition. The additional 134 pages contain new chapters and much more detail than ever before. Firstly, it is still super easy to use and is set out in a user-friendly manner. Each chapter is colour coded and can be seen from the edge of the book for quick access. The ‘top tips’ for instructors have been expanded and are really valuable if you are on a journey to be a mountain instructor of any description.
Personally, I really love the clear hand drawings that are visually enhancing to the illustrated pictures alongside it. One reason for the first book being such a success was these drawings; clearly showing each step in a process where photos can’t really do justice. The ‘crosses’ and ‘ticks’ illustrations are popular and show poor techniques and
methods next to better or safer methods. This ability to see what is best practice compared to short cuts or inexperience is invaluable.
The book is solidly aimed at UK moun- taineering and takes into account all our national nuances with this activity. However, I do feel it would have benefitted from a chapter on alpine techniques (although this is probably a book in itself) as most serious UK climbers will want to make the transition to the alpine environment at some point.
Not exactly a must read (as you don’t really ‘read’ a manual) but definitely a book that supports practical learning and instruction. Anyone who climbs must own this book and use it regularly to keep on top of their standards.
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