| Notes: First edition, first printing, 8vo, 379pp.. Signed on FFEP by Hettie Dyhrenfurth. Profusely illustrated in black and white/color plates and foldouts. German text. Ex-library copy rebound in modern binding, blue cloth, gilt, text in German, bright interior, light glue remainder marks on rear pastedown, bright text/illustrations. This exciting account of the 11 member International Himalaya Expedition of 1930 led by Gunter Oskar Dyhrenfurth describes the attempt to conquer Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. It is considered a mountaineering classic. Although defeated by an avalanche and bad weather, the team later climbed 9 other peaks including the first ascent of Jongsong Peak (7462m) setting a record for the highest mountain climbed at that time. Kangchenjunga was not successfully climbed until 1955, a full 25 years after the heroic attempt described here! Gunter’s wife Hettie, who signed this book, was also part of the 1930 expedition. Together with Gunter she was awarded the 1936 Olympic gold medal in alpinism, the third and final time the award was offered, in recognition of their 1934 expedition to the Sia Kangri mountain. During this expedition they made the first ascents of all four summits and Hettie set the women’s altitude record of 7,315 meters that would remain in place for 20 years.Keeping the family tradition alive, Gunter’s son Norman later emigrated to the US and was the leader of the successful American Mount Everest Expedition of 1963. He was presented the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal later that year by President John F. KennedyWell packaged, ships with tracking. |