The Ordinary Route - Softcover

Drasdo, Harold

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0948153466 ISBN 13: 9780948153464

Publisher: Ernest Press, 1997

Synopsis

Harold Drasdo looks back at fifty years of climbing. How can it possibly be summarised? What did it all mean? He tries a variety of attacks. First, straight history, remembering his initiation in the lean years after the Second War. Next, a sample of the trials and penalties of the sport in which, as it turns out, there are few moments of humour and value. Then the rewards, in a selection of the ascents and involvements he most enjoyed. Taking a more detached position he reviews three hard questions facing the climber. And finally he supplies a grammar of mountaineering. This book ranges from Sinai to Canada, from Montserrat to the Yosemite Valley. Its message, however, is that similar gratifications can be found closer to home. The author’s on-going explorations of Arenig Fawr hold equal status with his travels overseas and with his first infatuation with Pennine and Lakeland crags. As much comes from the climber as from the climb and even the Ordinary Route is!
not to be despised.

About this title

Review

Drasdo calls himself an alternative historian, a village philosopher; both epithets are modest. For me he is the most enjoyable writer on climbing today. -- Andy Popp, High Magazine

Drasdo, guidebook author, essayist and critic, writes fluently of formative mountain years and seeks to impart some intense mountaineering experiences. -- Alan Thomson, The Glasgow Herald

Imagination - the precursor to adventure. Long may it be celebrated as such by such adventurous writers and by such visionary publishers as The Ernest Press. -- Tim Noble, Climber’s Club Journal

The Ordinary Route is a book about mountaineering that will interest the most perpendicularly challenged; full of fascinating insights into post-war Britain. -- Chris Woodhead, The Sunday Telegraph

The Ordinary Route is very, very good indeed. Keep at it for fifty years and you too may learn to write like this. -- Mick Ward, Climber Magazine

From the Publisher

The Ernest Press are award-winning, specialist publishers of mountaineering books including narratives, guides and novels, and mountain biking guides for the UK. We are a sponsor of the Bretton Hall Mountain Literature Festival. Four Ernest Press titles have won the Boardman Tasker Award, with three being shortlisted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ernest Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0948153466
• ISBN 13: 9780948153464
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272