25 Best Mountaineering Books list of 2022

We reviewed on 25 the mountaineering books for you. No doubt  mountaineering books even if you have never been the mountains before there’s something totally encapsulating an epic tale of adventure – heroism and survival in some of the harshest climates on earth.

Best Mountaineering Books ever written

After the mishap of Simpson and his partner devised a system to rescue him (even though the rational thing was to abandon him so that the two did not perish on the mountain): he tied the two fifty meter ropes each mountaineer staying at each end. Yates was standing in a hole in the snow and winding Simpson by section by mountain using the rope of one hundred meters. However, because the two ropes were tied together, the knot that bound them could not go through the carabiner on Yates’s waist so Simpson had to stand on his healthy leg to give Yates enough space to do it. pass the knot by the carabiner and then thread the rope back into the harness device, with the knot on the other side.

Well, the system seemed to work. Until a second disaster took place. Yates could not see where Simpson was going down as it was a hundred meters ahead and the weather conditions did not let see beyond two meters. There came a time of the rescue in which Yates felt all the weight of his partner on the other side of the rope; This would not be a major problem if, when the rope reached the central knot, Simpson could stand to give space to Yates to loosen the rope and pass the knot through the waist carabiner. But this did not happen. The knot arrived and the rope never loosened mountaineering books.

Simpson was suspended on a precipice of more than thirty meters, at the mercy of the blizzard. Yates had been stationed fifty meters up, counterbalancing his entire body against the snow to withstand the tension of the rope. But his position was very unstable. The snow began to give way and, when this process was over, Yates would be dragged by his companion into the abyss. Despite all this Yates endured an hour the dead weight of his partner, until the hours of light practically ended. He made the decision that makes the most dramatic moment of the film: cut the string. Simpson rushed down the cliff best mountain climbing books.

The next morning while Yates went down alone from the mountain he discovered the crack his friend had fallen through. He knew instantly that such a fall was mortal, so he continued his descent. However, in a surprising way, Simpson had survived, despite falling from thirty meters and broken leg. This fall had been cushioned by an ice bridge located in the middle of the crack through which it fell.

When he retrieved the rope, he discovered that the end was cut off. Even so, in the sorry state he was in, he climbed an ice wall of the grotto to finally exit through a side opening that faced the glacier at the foot of the mountain. From there, it took him three days, without food and with only brief sips of water obtained by melting ice, to reach the base camp by crawling or dropping down the slope. Totally disoriented, he reached the base camp a few hours before Yates left for civilization. The epic of Simpson is considered by the Mountaineers among the legends and most outstanding stories of promotions. It was also made into a hugely popular mountaineering books documentary in 2003, but we would definitely recommend reading the book first joe simpson climber on top mountaineering.

Touching the Void of Joe Simpson narrates the epic of the first ascent and dramatic descent of the Siula Grande (6,344 meters) by the west wall in the Peruvian Andes, made by the author of the book with Simon Yates, Touching the Void is a story of survival to the limit narrated in the first person books about climbing everest.

Joe Simpson and Simon Yates decided in 1985 to face an adventure into the unknown, climb one of the great new walls of the Peruvian Andes and almost cost them their lives; Touching the void will make us feel the suffering, the pain, of someone who had to save his life, pushing his forces to the limit after suffering an accident in a place where life should have cost him; only his persistence and suffering together with the help of his companion who decided not to abandon him on the mountain, saved him.

We cannot say that Touching the Void has seemed like a great novel neither for the story of the ascension, nor for its narration and even for the descriptive facet of the writer, but it seems to me an example and an incredible story, but true, of as far as the spirit of survival of the human being can go; a great misfortune with some unexpected surprise and, of course, a story of friendship and love for the mountain, where sometimes the silences have more meaning than can be said in words.

Touching the Void of Joe Simpson is a great novel, but it is also a true story that should be known, in 2003 a film – documentary with the same title directed by Kevin MacDonald was filmed.

More than ice climbers porn any other, the author has the gift of transmitting this mysterious passion called mountaineering, and of getting the reader to breathe the subtle air of altitude. Published for the first time in 1954, and translated into numerous languages, STARLIGHT AND STORM is the masterpiece of Gaston Rébuffat .

He was also known for pushing the limits of what was humanly possible at that time. It was the first time a mountain guide had written about his exploits in such a readable, poetic way.

It also includes a chronicle of the most important activities on the north wall of the Eiger until now, with winter repeats, openings of new routes and solo activities.

Harrer writes about two missions to climb the north face of the Eiger – the one in 1935 that ended in tragedy and the successful climb in 1958. It’s a harrowing account that captures the history and ordeals of scaling the famous north face of mountaineering books of all time.

The white spider of Heinrich Harrer tells the dramatic story of the ascent to the Eiger wall, from the first attempts to the successive ascents, repetitions and solo climb through the first ascent of the wall of which he was a member with Anderl Heckmair , Fritz Kasparek and Ludwig Vörg.

The history of the Eiger wall is a chronicle of death but also of the struggle for survival and in its beginnings a race to be the first to achieve the great feat, climbing “the Murderous Wall” as it was known for quite some time.

The most interesting of the White Spider is to know firsthand how was the first climb of the Eiger, the solution to one of the biggest problems of mountaineering before the 2nd World War, a success achieved thanks to the persistence of a group of human beings He joined forces to achieve a double objective, leaving alive where few had previously achieved and be the first to ascend the wall after performing several precarious bivouacs in it.

The title of the book, the White Spider, responds to the particular form of the last of the snows that climbers had to go through before reaching the summit, the last problem to be solved until finding the edge that allowed without too many problems to leave the wall and Quickly search the top on mountaineers bookstore.

The direct and unambiguous style of Heinrich Harrer brings us closer to the painful tragedies that took place before and after the first escalation, some of them considered among the most dramatic in the history of mountaineering, such as that of the young Toni Kurz who agonized very close to salvation after losing one after another to all his companions, even reaching verbal communication with those who tried to rescue him. Retired at the last moment, bivouacs to the limit, storms in the middle of the wall without being able to escape from them, temperatures of 30º below zero, hurricane-force winds make up the history of the Eiger, as well as some mysteries surrounding the events of those who did not leave alive.

The white spider by Heinrich Harrer: The dramatic story of the ascent to the Eiger wall, is a good book to feel extreme mountaineering, to try to understand the companionship of situations to the limit and the importance of trust in a rope, the author leaves nothing to chance and judges the facts when he sees fit and tries to unravel the mysteries of those episodes that no one could count.

He was part of Chris Bonington’s 1975 Everest Expedition made an almost impossibly difficult ascent of Changabang with Joe Tasker in 1976 and went on to climb Kangchenjunga and K2 being beaten back by poor weather and exhaustion. Mount Kongur followed in 1981 in March 1982 in a small expedition with Chris Bonington, Joe Tasker and Dick Renshaw he attempted the previously unclimbed and highly difficult North East Ridge of Everest where he and Joe Tasker tragically lost their lives. Peter and Joe left two legacies.

It’s a great endeavour, it’s a great way to get the most out of it. Peter’s talent for writing emerged through his climbing career. Sacred Summits, published shortly after his death, the climbing year of 1979, the trips to New Guinea, Kangchenjunga and Gaurisankar.

The shining mountain is a funny, readable and honest account of climbing the technically challenging peak which had never been attempted as a two-man lightweight team.

If he was to return to his wife and son waiting at home some 5000 miles away, Venables knew he had to draw on his reserve of courage and determination. The third Adrenaline Classic, A Slender Thread is a spellbinding account of Venables’ survival—and his committed teamwork which brought him to safety.

Savage Arena details his achievements – including ascending the north face of the Eiger in winter and a new route on Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world and one of the most difficult 8000ers.

Tasker delivered the transcript to his publisher just as he left for an Everest expedition in 1982 – and sadly never returned.

With humor and a pleasant narrative style, Newby is able to make the reader fall in love with the place where he is, with wonderful landscapes, and the adventure he embarked on. The result of this journey gave rise to one of the most emblematic travel books of recent years.

A tour of the Hindu Kush was published in 1958 and since then it has not stopped captivating readers all over the world. The author, in the company of his friend, set course towards the northeast of Afghanistan, and there we are immersed in a peculiar painting that combines the oriental world with these two Westerners and their traditional and fine English humor .

When the eleven climbers died on K2 on August 12008, it was a strong reminder that the world’s second highest mountain has, for more than a century, been regarded as the most difficult and dangerous of all top, one dies in the attempt. K2, The Savage Mountain tells the dramatic story of the 1953 American expedition, led by Charles S. Houston, when a combination of terrible storms and illness stopped the team short of the 28251-foot summit. Dan op de descent, tragedie sloeg, en hoe de klimmers het terugkwamen, is beroemd in de annals of climbing. K2 The Savage Mountain captures this sensational tale with an unmatched power that has earned this book its place as one of the classics of mountaineering books /literature.

Charles Houston (the author) led the 1953 American bid to be the first to reach the top of the second highest mountain in the world, K2, and be the first to reach the top of an 8,000-meter peak.

She was provocative, controversial and inspiring. While there has been controversy about how the ascent was actually executed, the value and pioneering spirit transcend any allegations, which is why it lands in the list of top 10 mountain climbing books.

Expedition leader Arlene Blum here tells their dramatic story: the logistical problems, storms, and hazardous ice climbing; the conflicts and reconciliations within the team; the terror of avalanches that threatened to sweep away camps and climbers best mountain climbing books.

This edition brings a mountaineering classic back into print On August 20, 1980, Reinhold Messner, the world-renowned master of alpine-style climbing, became the first person to reach the summit of Everest solo and without supplemental oxygen. A vivid account of Messner’s expedition, The Crystal Horizon also reflects on how he explored his innermost thoughts while facing the most extreme physical challenge he had ever encountered. The furthest point for mind and body he calls his crystal horizon. Inspired by the legendary mountaineers George Mallory and Maurice Wilson, Messner embarked on a year-long journey through Tibet to the glittering light and rarified air at the roof of the world. More than an adventure story, this is Messner’s profound reflection on his emotional reactions to Tibet, the challenges he faced, and the explorations of self inspired by this amazing journey.

There are not many people who would break out of a P.O.W. camp, trek for days across perilous terrain before climbing the north face of Mount Kenya with improvised equipment, meagre rations, and with a picture of the mountain on a tin of beef among their more accurate guides. There are probably fewer still who would break back in to the camp on their return.

But this is the remarkable story of three such men. No Picnic on Mount Kenya is a powerful testament to the human spirit of revolt and adventure in even the darkest of places.

The history of mountaineering can hardly present a parallel to this mad but thrilling escapade.

The book crackles with the same dry humour as its title. It contains the prison-yard bartering and candlelight stitching that mark a classic jailbreak yarn; the encounters with wild beasts in Mount Kenya’s forest belt are as gripping, and the descriptions of sparkling glaciers as awe-inspiring, as any passage in the great exploration diaries of the early 20th century.

We are talking about the Annapurna. Eight thousand seventy-five meters. “(The height accepted today is 8,190 m ). It was the first conquered Ochomil and culmination of an expedition that left Paris on March 30, 1950 by plane. It had three and a half tons of the most modern climbing equipment of the time, among which was the nylon, material with which the jackets, stores and ropes were made. The team was made up of Jean Couzy, Louis Lachenal, Gaston Rébuffat, Marcel Schatz and Lionel Terray. Jacques Oudot It was the expedition doctor, Marcel Ichac the photographer and Francis de Noyelle, the liaison officer. The group was led by Maurice Herzog, Secretary General of the High Mountain Group, and was supported by eight sherpas under Sirdar Angtharkey.

After making the summit they take some photos and start a descent that was epic. Herzog loses the gloves and Lachenal slips and hits a big blow. They arrive at field V where they are helped by Gaston Rébuffat and Lyonel Terray, who had risen to make an attempt to the summit. The state of Lachenal and Herzog is worrisome. Both suffer severe freezing on their feet and Herzog, who came down with fingers wrapped in a handkerchief, also in his hands.

They continue the descent and must spend the night in a crevice, with a single sleeping bag for four. An avalanche covers the crack where they take refuge, and they can barely get out alive. They are too many hours in height, with the equipment that was used at the time, and all present the first symptoms of snow ophthalmia. They are partially blind and must walk in fits and starts, guided by shadows and reflections.

Finally, it arrives to them the help of the bulk of the group with Marcel Schatz and the Sherpas. The doctor of the expedition, Jacques Oudot, attends the Lachenal and Herzog freezes with novocaine injections.

The top team had to be helped to get around, they were dragged on stretchers on skis through the snow and on the back of the porters in the jungle. At the stops, the doctor examined them and amputated the necrotic parts of his fingers without anesthesia. He later told that he cut through where the worms appeared.

Finally they land in Paris. His arrival in Orly is a reception reserved only for heroes. There is gathered all the gala press of the time, which already has a positive news with which to encourage a depressed and ruined France, struggling to get out of the aftermath of the World War. President Charles de Gaulle then received them in the Elysée palace. It is the apotheosis.

The hardest comes next. They go to the hospital and Herzog loses all the fingers and toes and Lachenal, the toes.

But it was worth it. The answer is in the book by Maurice Herzog: “The Annapurna, towards which we would all have gone empty-handed, is a treasure on which we will live … With this realization, a page is folded … A new life begins. There are other Annapurna in the lives of men … ”

The book presents the reader with all the golden age of classical alpinism that were the 50s and 60s, while we know in detail the most important exploits of the author: the first ascent to the east wall of the Great Capucin, the dramatic Italian expedition to K2? considered the most difficult summit of the Himalayas ?, the Pilar del Dru, the tragedy of the Pilar Central del Frêney, the Gasherbrum IV, the lonely wintry to the north face of the Matterhorn. It is then, at the peak of glory, when suddenly Bonatti decides to abandon the mountaineering and devote himself to exploration and adventure in the wildest regions of the world, as a journalist for the weekly Epoca .

Mountains of a lifetime also reveals the reason for this unexpected abandonment, but above all it is an unparalleled testimony of how mountains can become a school of honesty, sensitivity and strength.

Walter Bonatti made his mark with his incredible ascents. In 1996, he published for the first time his memoirs. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the mountains that has forged its character and experience: the Grand Capucin, the K2, the Grandes Jorasses, the Matterhorn, the peaks of Patagonia or the Mont-Blanc massif, where it bordered on death and saved lives.

The exceptional career of a pioneer of extreme mountaineering, which will end in 1965 after an unprecedented performance.