Anderl Heckmair My Life

One of the most significant events in the history of alpinism; the dramatic first ascent of the Eigerwand’s North Face.

In 1938, Heckmair, a German mountain guide, was to lead this ascent with 3 others - 2 of whom were Austrian. The climb was used propaganda windfall for the Nazi party in the lead up to World War II.

My Life gives an intriguing 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.