The early climbing years of Britain's greatest living mountaineer, from his schooldays to his ascent of the Eiger in 1962.

I CHOSE TO CLIMB, first published in 1966, was Chris Bonington's first book. He was recognised then, as now, as one of the outstanding members of a brilliant generation of mountaineers, which included such personalities as Hamish MacInnes, Don Whillans and Ian Clough. Here he describes his climbing beginnings as a teenager as well as successful ascents all over the world: the first ascent of the Central Pillar of Freney, the first British ascent of the North Face of the Eiger in 1962, Annapurna II in 1960 and in an unhappy expedition in 1961, Nuptse, the third peak of Everest. The first volume of Chris Bonington's autobiography is written with a warmth and enthusiasm that he has made his own. It tells of his climbing tastes and practice, and of family, friends and partnerships cemented over many years.

Compelling and always exciting * Sunday Telegraph *
Bonington's writing is lucid, fast-paced, highly readable and, above all, honest * Daily Telegraph *

Sir Chris Bonington has taken part in 19 Himalayan expeditions and combined a career as a mountaineer with the writing of fifteen books, four of which were about Everest - EVEREST SOUTH WEST FACE, EVEREST THE HARD WAY, EVEREST THE UNCLIMBED RIDGE and THE EVEREST YEARS. Sir Chris was knighted in 1992 for services to mountaineering.