
Throughout its history the Guardian has had unparalleled access to mountaineers & climbers, & its coverage of the sport is second to none. From Edward Whymper's conquest of the Matterhorn in 1865 through to the first ever ascent of Everest in 1953, & on to the extreme climbing (and associated apparatus) that dominates the modern-day incarnation of the sport, the paper has chronicled every development with insight & intelligence. This beguiling collection draws together a selection of Guardian writing that is both informative & celebratory, tracking the sport's history & uncovering how public perception has changed over time. This book
Features: Postings on how cigarettes 'aided breathing' on some of the earliest Everest expeditions; Victorian advice to 'lady climbers': ' Small rings should be sewn inside the seams of the skirt...so that the whole dress may be drawn up at a moment's notice to the requisite height'; &, Articles on scrambling, fell-running, rock-climbing & rambling. Whether you're a serious mountaineer or a weekend rambler, On the Roof of the World is packed full of insights & stories that make it the perfect bedside companion.