Annapurna: The First Conquest Of An 8,000-Meter Peak

The cover was folded and a little torn. Perhaps the best available?

Before the age of Gortex, GPS, radios, there was a world of wool, archaic and hard to use oxygen masks (and canisters that weighed more than you could imagine), and men who were explorers in the truest form of the world. For Walter Mitty types out there, this is a "one can only imagine" book. A glimpse into a world that is really rather remarkable (and almost impossible to comprehend...unless your right there on the mountain). This book takes you there. An incredible description of human suffering (which a central theme to all the mountaineering books I've read) and triumph and tragedy which leaves you perhaps closer to the understanding of just why some people have to take unimaginable risks in the Himalaya or Karakorum.

The fortitude, resourcefulness and determination of this team of climbers is impressive

Definitely serves as an inspiration to any existing/prospective mountaineer.

I love true adventure stories. Annapurna is a true adventure story of a French 1950 mountain climbing expedition. Two of their members are the first to reach the summit of a 8000M peak. Unheard of, many thought it could not be done. Annapurna is the epic book that influenced ED Vestures when he was a boy toward his mountain climbing greatness ( climbed all 13 8000M peaks with no supplemental oxygen...all his books 5 star see my reviews).Annapurna is 278 pages of great adventure and lots of action. No boring parts. I read it in 3 days.Here's a tidbit of the book to wet your appetite.A group of some of the greatest mountain climbers is assembled with a great doctor/surgeon Oudot, and support people for the expedition. Local loyal helpers/guides called Sherpas and Coolies to help carry the heavy loads are hired. The leaders Sahibs have as their expedition leader Maurice Herzog. Herzog is seen as brave but sensibly cautious and uses lots of scouting of different routes. A higher mountain was originally thought OK to climb but it is found too dangerous at this time. Scouting more through glaciers around impassable ridges , a hidden valley a route to Annapurna is found. Already they are experiencing bad weather and are in a race with time as Monsoon rains are coming soon. Some routes are found to be no good. Lots of dangers, crevasses, and avalanches. Five ascending camps are set up. The expedition is rapidly breaking down due to health problems.Herzog and Louise Lachenal make it to the top. All expedition members helped and team work was great. A lot of unselfish people. However Herzog loses his gloves and develops frostbite of the fingers and toes. Lachenal has frostbite of the toes and heal. Some of the others have snow blindness and injuries. The expedition physically is a mess They must hurry to a lower camp for the doctor Oudot to try to save them. Gangrene has set in. Toes and fingers must be amputated.There is a great chapter of the expedition's passage from Nepal to India and meeting the Maharajah in his palace.I won't say too much more and ruin the book for you.Anyone loving true adventure stories and human endurance against incredible obstacles will love this book. This book was the one that many great climbers got their inspiration from. 5 stars and proudly added to our family library.

a really well written book. no to be missed.