First Ascent: Pioneering Mountain Climbs »

Stephen Venables is a world-renowned mountaineer who climbed Everest without oxygen, pioneering a new route at the same time. He is the author of eight books, including the award-winning Painted Mountains. His most recent project was retracing Ernest Shackleton's steps for the IMAX movie, Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure.

Sir Chris Bonington is one of the world's most successful expedition leaders, having led the teamsthat made the first ascents of the south face of Annapurna and the southwest face of Everest.

First hand accounts and archival photos chronicle the first ascent of 24 of the world's most daunting mountains and traces the development of climbing styles and technology. It includes ascents made between 1865 and 2005 and all types of mountaineering.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

PILGRIMS, KINGS, & PROPHETS

MONT BLANC, 1786

THE GOLDEN AGE OF ALPINE CLIMBING

NEW HORIZONS

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

HIMALAYA -- ABODE OF SNOW

THE BIG ALPINE WALLS

EIGHT THOUSAND METERS

BRAVE NEW WORLD

NEW WAVE OF ALPINE CLIMBING

HIMALAYAN RENAISSANCE

UNTOUCHED SUMMITS OF THE NEW WORLD

FREE ROCK

GAMES CLIMBERS PLAY