Savage Arena

Description

Published by Methuen, London, 1982, 1st UK Edition, Insc, D/w (small tear top of spine/front cover), Nr. Fine.   Joe Tasker (1948-1982) died on the North-East Ridge of Everest, along with his climbing partner Pete Boardman, in May 1982.  The classic Savage Arena was Joe’s second book, published posthumously after he delivered the manuscript to publishers Methuen on the eve of his departure for Everest. It covers climbs on the Eiger (first British winter ascent with Dick Renshaw 1975), Dunagiri (South Face also with Renshaw 1975), Changabang (West Wall with Boardman 1976), K2 (two attempts on the West Ridge and the Abruzzi Ridge 1978 and 1980) and Kangchenjunga (North Ridge with Boardman, Doug Scott and Georges Bettembourg 1979).  The Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature was founded in memory of Tasker and Boardman and was first awarded in 1984.