The making of a mountaineer

A richly illustrated memoir, this work invites listeners into the world of early‑20th‑century mountaineering. The author’s own voice guides you through daring ice‑slope cuts, rope‑down shortcuts, and the quiet awe of sunrise over jagged peaks, all brought to life by dozens of period photographs and sketches. It feels like standing beside a seasoned climber as he recounts the thrill of each ascent.

The narrative begins with youthful adventures in Corsica and the Swiss Alps, moving through iconic climbs on the Wetterhorn, Jungfrau, and the famed Zmutt ridge of the Matterhorn. Detailed yet approachable, the early chapters capture the spirit of a generation hungry for rugged challenges after the war, offering both technical insight and personal reflection.

Later sections turn the eye toward the Himalayas, describing the first steps toward Everest with the same candid enthusiasm. Throughout, the book balances practical mountaineering advice with vivid storytelling, making it an engaging portrait of a mountaineer’s formative years.