The Exploration of the Caucasus

Description

Published by Edward Arnold, London, 1902, 2 volumes, 2nd British Edition (1st British Edition published in 1896), original cloth worn and rubbed at edges of spine, spine lettering bright, internally Fine and overall V.G.    Douglas William Freshfield (1845-1934) was a British mountaineer, traveller, author and lawyer, who edited the Alpine Journal from 1872 to 1880, and was an active member of both the Alpine Club and the Royal Geographical Society, serving as President for both organisations.  He was an early visitor to the Caucasus, made his first attempt on Elbruz in 1868, and returned several times.  These two volumes bring together much information on the area, including early explorations, with some chapters written by friends of Freshfield, and are illustrated by the photographs of Vittorio Sella, the famous Italian mountaineer and photographer who visited the area in 1889.  Freshfield was the first foreigner to reach the Eastern Summit on Elbruz and the first man, officially, to conquer Kazbek with guides from the village Gergeti, accompanied by A.W. Moore and C.C. Tucker. Freshfield also became the first mountaineer to examine the western face of Kangchenjunga, which rises from the Kangchenjunga Glacier, which is detailed in his later work Round Kanchenjunga (1903).