Thomas F. Hornbein (1930–2023)

Long considered some of the best prose ever written on expeditionary mountaineering, Tom Hornbein's narrative in The West Ridge is so beautifully understated, you never really grasp the full enormity of his and Willi Unsoeld's groundbreaking ascent in 1963. 51 years later, only 12 others have followed them, but 16 others have died on the route. These men were made of firmer stuff than mere mortal men.

Rarely does a reissue add significant new depth to the original-- not so in this 50th anniversary edition. This 2013 edition adds new forwards by the author and Jon Krakauer, and climbing bios by Brot Coburn. Perhaps best of all are the 150 photographs, some never released before, and all rendered in subtle colors.

This book is a must read for all lovers of mountaineering lore. Highly recommended for all readers.… (meer)

As Hornbein contemplated writing this book, much had already been written about this climb. Faced with the challenge of contributing new material, he bases his account on the recorded conversations between team members, and focuses exclusively on the West Ridge climb. From it we get a clearer depiction of their characters and interaction than I have ever seen before. He finishes this short book with such a flourish of excitement that it is impossible to put down. No wonder this has become a classic and a favourite among climbers.… (meer)