Everest The West Ridge - (Hornbein)

Everest The West Ridge
Thomas Hornbein
Sierra Club, San Francisco, 1965, First American Edition. Folio format, gilt embossed grey cloth boards, chipped Dustjacket, overall Fine, a stunningly beautiful edition, with loose-leaf Folio of additional expedition glossy colour photographs. Signed by author Tom Hornbein, who made first West Ridge ascent of Everest, with Willi Unsoeld, and as it happened, the first Himalayan traverse. In addition, this copy is Signed by Jim Whittaker, who made the First American Everest ascent a few days earlier on the South Col route. Folio-size, the true First Edition, 200 pages profusely illustrated with maps and 84 marvellous full-page glossy colour Plates.Two climbers defied rigid rules, broke off on daring first attempt up the West Ridge, way out on a limb. Benighted after crossing the summit, they survived a high bivouac to descend the Lhotse Face and Western Cwm, a triumph of will and determination. Exciting story of an American mountaineering classic, well-written and wonderfully illustrated. (Reference Neate: H-112)Signed by two summiteers. Scarce American First Edition, Near Fine, Chipped Dustjacket. $2,000