First Ascent
Cassell Illustrated (Publisher)
Published on 15. September 2008
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-84403-596-0 (ISBN)
Description
Mountains have always held mankind in awe of their beauty and danger, yet only since the mid-19th century has rock climbing and mountaineering in general been seen as a popular pastime. The men who first paved the way in the early days, when equipment was very basic, were rightly seen as daredevils tackling the unknown. Today, the sport is seen in less awestruck ways, with corporate businesses and the very rich able to buy adventure trips to be 'walked' up to the summit of Mount Everest itself. However, every great climb or mountain needed to be navigated and traversed before the mass of later climbers could follow.This book tells the story of those who have risked their lives to follow their love of climbing, and be the first to break new ground. Covering every main mountain range in the world, the book chronicles the adventures, joy, and heartbreak of these pioneers who were the first to conquer these climbs. All supported with fantastic contemporary photography. Whether you're an armchair traveller, climber or outdoor enthusiast, "First Ascent" provides a chance to understand the development of climbing, and the stories of those who wrote their names into mountaineering history.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Octopus Publishing Group
Dimensions
Height: 289 mm
Width: 248 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
1454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84403-596-0 (9781844035960)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
One of the best-known mountaineers of his generation, Stephen Venables was the first Briton to climb Everest without oxygen, pioneering a new route at the same time. His first book Painted Mountains won the Boardman Tasker Award; reviewing his most recent book, A Slender Thread, the Observer praised his 'novelist's sense of dramatic punch'. As well as eight books, he has written for all the major national newspapers and appeared in numerous television programmes, including the recent BBC Mountain Men series, for which he climbed the Matterhorn in Victorian tweeds and nailed boots, and the BBC's Race for Everest. His most recent project was retracing Shackleton's steps across South Georgia for the IMAX movie Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure. A master storyteller and skilful photographer, he is also a motivational speaker whose illustrated lectures have inspired audiences all around the world. Sir Chris Bonington is one of the world's most renowned and successful mountaineers. He has experienced much of our planet's extreme weather during his distinguished career, which includes climbing Everest four times
Content
PROPHETS, PILGRIMS AND KINGS Mt Sinai Peruvian and Bolivian Andes Ascents to summits of over 20,000 feet for sacrificial rituals Hannibal and Napoleon crossing the Alps China and Japan Mont Aiguille MONT BLANC GOLDEN AGE OF ALPINISM Jungfrau Matterhorn Bietschorn NEW FRONTIERS Mt McKinley Grand Teton Ancohuma Mt Kenya Mt Cook BRITISH ROCK PIONEERS Napes Needle One of the rock climbs pioneered by Everester George Mallory. Lliwedd Cloggy HIMALAYA Siniolchu Kamet THE BIG ALPINE WALLS - INTO THE SIXTH GRADE Matterhorn Zmutt Ridge Mont Blanc Route Major Cima Grande North Face Grandes Jorasses North Face - Walker Spur Eiger North Face EIGHT THOUSAND METRES Annapurna 1950 Everest 1953 Nanga Parbat 1953 Broad Peak 1957 YOSEMITE The Nose Salathe Wall NEW WAVE ALPINISM Dru Bonatti Pillar 1954 Central Pillar of Freney 1961 Super Couloir 1976 A NEW DIMENSION IN THE HIMALAYA Annapurna South Face Trango Tower Gasherbrum III Gauri Sankar Golden Pillar of Spantik UNTOUCHED SUMMITS OF THE AMERICAS Beautiful spire near Mt McKinley, in Alaska Huntingdon Yerupaja Cerro Torre FREE ROCK Joe Brown's Cenotaph Corner, North Wales, 1 Eroica, Cornwall India Face, Cloggy, North Wales Australia Poi, Kenya Gorge de Verdon, Provenc