First Ascent

"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 real-life adventures. First Ascent includes the 24 most challenging ascents dating from 1865 to 2005. Among them The first ascent of Everest, in 1865, which claimed three livesBeatrice Tomasson's 1902 climb of the Marmolada south faceAmerican climber Layton Kor's ascent of the spectacular Utah TowersThe first ascent of the north face of North Twin in the Canadian Rockies, one of history's greatest climbsThe first free climb of Yosemite's El Capitan, as recently as the 1990s. Climbers, outdoor enthusiasts and would-be adventurers will enjoy these exhilarating true stories told by the climbers and accompanied by thrilling photos taken along the way.

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. He has also written for all the major national newspapers and appeared in numerous television programmes, including the BBC's Race for Everest and Mountain Men series, for which he climbed the Matterhorn in Victorian tweeds and nailed boots. A master storyteller and skilful photographer, he is also a motivational speaker whose illustrated lectures have inspired audiences all around the world.