FAMOUS PEAKS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 85, 4 January 1941, Page 6

FAMOUS PEAKS

Stories Of Ten Ascents "Ten Great Mountains,” by It. L. G. Irving. (London: Dent.) Here is a mountaineering book well suited for picking up at odd moments. Each chapter contains the complete tale of the ascent of a great mountain. Indeed, the book contains the cream of mountaineering feats, since the mountains of which Mr. Irving writes represent all the great mountain systems in the world, the most outstanding peak from each system having been chosen. Many of the peaks, such as the Matterhorn, Mt. Blanc, Snowdon, Beu Nevis, Mount Cook, have been climbed many times and are known to tourists the world over. However, according to Mr. Irving, there is always enjoyment to be got from a great mountain, even when the routes to the top are all well trodden. Some of the chapters in "Ten Great Mountains” tell of usual approaches to well-known peaks, while some give the stories of first ascents. Ushba in the Caucasus, and Mount Logan in Alaska, introduce mountain chains which are off the usual itinerary of a British climber. They add much interest to this collection of mountains. Mr. Irving has a distinctive style, pleasant to read, though be is sometimes a little mysterious about the personnel of his elimbftig party. These are probably ascents when the author was present, but he never mentions the fact, and all the episodes are told in the third person. Mr. Irving would certainly not have detracted from bis stories if he had allowed some of them to be personal experiences. Mr. Irving has wisely kept the story of the uneonquered Everest for the last in his book. The unfinished mountain symphony is the greatest of them all. "Ten Great. Mountains” contains a good photograph illustrating eacm mountain, and a diagram to show the route of the ascent described.