This is an automatically translated description

Topic

Alpinism, sports, motivation.

About the book

Victory or death - this expedition had no other options. In 1950, nine French daredevils defied human nature and conquered a peak that did not even exist on the map. For the first time in history, people climbed to an altitude of 8091 metres. What difficulties did they face? How did it feel to overcome the unbearable cold, fight the elements and come close to death? What was it like to whip frostbitten hands and feet with ropes to restore blood circulation? And most importantly, what were these sacrifices for?

Who is the book for

For a wide range of readers, everyone who has dreamed of conquering the peaks at least once in their life.

Why this book

In this book, Maurice Herzog tells in detail and consistently about their expedition, going beyond their own capabilities, despair and despair, hope and light in the eyes of climbers, competition with nature and the price of victory. The traces of the struggle remained on their bodies, but they gained much more: they met freedom and looked at the meaning of human life from a different angle.

About the author

Maurice Herzog (1919–2012) was a French climber and the leader of the 1950 expedition that climbed the eight-thousand metre high peak without modern equipment and oxygen. During the ascent, he lost almost all his fingers, so he did not write the book Annapurna, but dictated it. In 1958 and 1963 he was the Minister of Youth and Sports, in 1970 and 1995 he was a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Review

"The most influential mountaineering book of all time."

National Geographic Adventure

Quotes

"We are already at 5,000 metres and we are getting out of breath. During the stops, the Sherpas bend in half, leaning on their ice axes, and exhale deeply with a specific whistle. At first, this sound seems strange, but we quickly get used to it. Some porters exhaled in the same way during the previous stages of the trek. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I feel that I suffer less from lack of oxygen than Lachenal and Rebuffa. Obviously, the recent overnight stays at an altitude of 5,000 metres are having an effect. This finally convinces me that before the main assault, each member of the expedition should go on a reconnaissance with an ascent of 5 or 6 thousand metres to acclimatise."

"— Remember the lama's prophecy, — Ishak cheerfully reminds. — «Dhaulagiri is not favourable to you. Go in the direction of Muktinath. So...
— Well, it's decided, — I say firmly. — Tomorrow we go in the direction of Muktinath. From the very morning."
— To the Tilicho Pass?" asks Gaston.
— Look at the map, — says Ishak. "If we go over the Tilicho Pass, we'll save a few days...
— You'll see, we'll come right to the foot of the northern slope. You know, there is always more hope on the northern slope in the Himalayas. We will walk exactly as far as we need to to see Annapurna. If we have to, we'll go all the way to Manangbhot."
— I see," Ishak says, slightly disappointed. — Our goal now is simply to find Annapurna.