First ascent - Stephen Venables

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 traveler, 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.