The Seventh Grade

Description

Published by Kaye & Ward, London, 1974, 1st UK Edition, Insc, D/w (spine faded), V.G..   Messner’s first book translated into English in which he sets out his philosophy in climbing.  The book is a series of chapters mainly on Messner’s solo climbs in the Alps, both of famous hard classics and some less well-known routes, interspersed with his thoughts, preparations and training for the climbs.  It concludes with a very short summary chapter on the 1970 Nanga Parbat Expedition on which Messner and his brother Gunther made the third ascent of the mountain and the first ascent of the Rupal Face, descending down the Diamir Face where Gunther was killed in an avalanche, leaving Messner fighting for survival as he descended alone.