"Thrilling first-hand accounts by those who conquered the world's great
mountain peaks."
First Ascent takes readers back to a time when there were many mountains yet to
be climbed. Using first-hand accounts and archival photographs, it tells the
exciting history of world mountaineering by describing in vivid detail the first
ascents of the most daunting peaks. At the same time, it reveals the development
of climbing styles and climbing technology.
Covering every main mountain range in the world, these pioneering ascents
include classic mountaineering, rock climbing, unassisted climbing, big-wall
climbing, ice climbing and clean climbing. Tragedy and victory are equal
partners in these gripping