I Chose To Climb

Description

I CHOSE TO CLIMB, first published in 1966, was Chris Bonington's first book. He was recognised then, as now, as one of the outstanding members of a brilliant generation of mountaineers, which included such personalities as Hamish MacInnes, Don Whillans and Ian Clough. Here he describes his climbing beginnings as a teenager as well as successful ascents all over the world: the first ascent of the Central Pillar of Freney, the first British ascent of the North Face of the Eiger in 1962, Annapurna II in 1960 and in an unhappy expedition in 1961, Nuptse, the third peak of Everest. The first volume of Chris Bonington's autobiography is written with a warmth and enthusiasm that he has made his own. It tells of his climbing tastes and practice and of family, friends and partnerships cemented over many years.

Sir Chris Bonington (knighted in 1995 for services to mountaineering) has been Britain's best-known mountaineer since he climbed Everest the hard way in 1976. He has climbed mountains in four continents and has written eleven previous books. He was president of the Council for National Parks for eight years and is Non Executive Chairman of Berghaus and Chancellor of Lancaster University. He has lived in Cumbria for over 30 years.

Compelling and always exciting * Sunday Telegraph * Bonington's writing is lucid, fast-paced, highly readable and, above all, honest * Daily Telegraph *