55-60 Years of Mountaineering in South Africa

(Cape Town: the author, no date) 0620047704. 4to; original red boards; pictorial dustwrapper; pp. (viii) + 114, incl. index; photographs. Dustwrapper a bit rubbed and slightly edgeworn, with archival tape reinforcing to reverse of top edge; earlier owner's name on front free endpaper; some very light foxing to endpapers and outermost leaves. Very good condition. 'During his more active years he was responsible for well over a hundred and twenty first ascents, many of which were in the most difficult class of rock climbs for those days. Others were on new peaks, easier climbs and exploration. His first new climb took place at the age of eighteen and his last was in his seventieth year - the Slanghoek Tower in the Witte River Mountains east of Bain's Kloof, between Wellington and Worcester. Nothing has pleased him more than this last one day operation - it is recorded at the end of this book under the title "Ultimate Swansong". During his climbing life he has reached the summit of more than three hundred named peaks. Technically the majority were easy of ascent, but many were arduous because of the height and distance that had to be covered, plus bush, rough and stony terrain, to get to them. This book is intended to be a personal narrative and a "one man" job - including all of the illustrations. The adventures and experiences related are meant to amuse, encourage and to give some idea of the beauties, joys and hardships encountered by the climber amongst the Cape mountains. Much of the work has been written about in the Mountain Club's publications, but these were largely read only by members of the club.' .