Anderl Heckmair, My Life: Eiger North Face, Grandes Jorasses and Other Adventures - Hardcover

Anderl Heckmair

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1898573557 ISBN 13: 9781898573555

Publisher: Baton Wicks Publications, 2002

Synopsis

In 1938 Anderl Heckmair led the dramatic first ascent of the North Face of the Eiger - one of the most important events in the history of alpinism. The press had named the Eiger's north face the 'Mordwand', or 'death wall', and the Swiss attempted to ban climbers from it after a series of deaths on the mountain. Numerous attempts had been made on the peak before Heckmair, along with his German climbing partner Ludwig Vorg and the Austrians Fritz Kasparek and Heinrich Harrer, made their bid. During three days in July 1938 the two pairs linked up to make the first ascent of the long and committing North Face, fighting their way to success in deteriorating weather conditions. Heckmair's account of their epic struggle forms the core of My Life. The climb was a propaganda windfall for the Nazi party, coming as it did in the build up to World War II. Although the Austrians had Nazi connections, the Germans had no overt political links, though they had received financial support for equipment and Heckmair, through the filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, had found himself on a Nuremburg balcony with Hitler, saluting a torch-lit procession. My Life provides a fascinating insight into the athletic, personal, fanatical and political mountaineering scene of the time. Heckmair was a talented mountaineer, yet a private character, and these memoirs serve as a window both into the catalysing events of a personal obsession, and a wider political catastrophe.

About this title

Review:

'It seems Heckmair took a long, hard look at Hitler and recoiled, mentally at least. He remains for many climbers the true hero of the Eiger, the man who led the way.' --Ed Douglas, Climber Magazine

'It deserves a place on the bookshelves of anyone who has an interest in the mountains, however Platonic.' --John Holden, Fell and Rock Club Journal

'Heckmair will remain a legend as long as the leitmotif of our sport is the seeking out of adventure, enterprise, comradeship and having fun. And this comes through to me from this inspirational book - its author has enjoyed a hell of a lot of the latter.' --Dennis Gray, Alpine Club Journal

About the Author:

Born in Munich in 1906, Anderl Heckmair made history as one of the first four men to climb the North Face of the Eiger in 1938. He negotiated a difficult relationship with the Nazi party throughout his life, after Hitler appropriated his success in the mountains for propaganda. After serving on the Eastern Front in World War II, Heckmair worked as a mountain guide and initiated the formation of a professional association for mountain guides. Twice married, Heckmair died in Germany in 2005.

About this edition

• Publisher: Baton Wicks Publications
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1898573557
• ISBN 13: 9781898573555
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272