Daren
I didn't go into the reading of this book with particularly high expectations - I read a lot of mountaineering books (for some reason), but most involve the Himalaya, or South America. Few of interest have been in the Alps of Europe.
Published in 1946 it is (as the author says) "an account, not primarily of climbs, but of climbing holidays in the Highlands and the Alps. It records no great feats of mountaineering, no striking new ascents - a few new routes there were, indeed, but some of these were made by accident. Our aim was not to establish records, but to enjoy ourselves; and the book too was written for pleasure, to recall the enjoyment of days on mountains as well known as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, as little know as the minor peaks of the Haute Maurienne or Wester Ross."
So the Scottish highlands and Italian Alps are the primary locations, the French Alps also.
We are introduced to various climbing partners, guides and local personalities. The climbs are described, often in detail, but there are much wider ranging descriptions of meals and conversations, of accommodation and villages. It was a snapshot in time looking at mountaineering gear, travel and costs.
It had a certain charm to it, but honestly it was not a very exciting read. It had brief moments of excitement but they were few are far between, and it was not enough for me.
2 stars.
I didn't go into the reading of this book with particularly high expectations - I read a lot of mountaineering books (for some reason), but most involve the Himalaya, or South America. Few of interest have been in the Alps of Europe.
Published in 1946 it is (as the author says) "an account, not primarily of climbs, but of climbing holidays in the Highlands and the Alps. It records no great feats of mountaineering, no striking new ascents - a few new routes there were, indeed, but some of these were made by accident. Our aim was not to establish records, but to enjoy ourselves; and the book too was written for pleasure, to recall the enjoyment of days on mountains as well known as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, as little know as the minor peaks of the Haute Maurienne or Wester Ross."
So the Scottish highlands and Italian Alps are the primary locations, the French Alps also.
We are introduced to various climbing partners, guides and local personalities. The climbs are described, often in detail, but there are much wider ranging descriptions of meals and conversations, of accommodation and villages. It was a snapshot in time looking at mountaineering gear, travel and costs.
It had a certain charm to it, but honestly it was not a very exciting read. It had brief moments of excitement but they were few are far between, and it was not enough for me.
2 stars.