Book Description
Invisible on Everest is not simply about mountaineering equipment; it's about the bold free spirits that drove the key polar and mountaineering and gear innovations over the last century and a half. Disasters and discomforts abound in the text and are often seen as the catalyst for breakthroughs in climbing and cold-weather equipment. Invisible On Everest reaches out internationally and tells the story of passionate and persistent endeavors which in some cases lead to success and in other instances heartbreaking defeat and disaster.
The book explores the development of the sport/leisure industries against the background of new technologies. It tells the story of the innovators in the industry and the development of outdoor brands. Industrial scholars will be fascinated to learn how design innovations affected the history of adventure/sporting industry and how these innovations were exploited and molded into trusted brand names that are recognized around the world.
From Whymper to Nansen, Welzenbach to Whillans, Scott to Mallory & Irvine, Pierre Allain to Everest 53, the secrets of their equipment and clothing are revealed. The book looks at how these innovations in "gear" lead to the development of the multi-billion dollar adventure/sporting industry.
Average Customer Review:
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Invisible On Everest blends History, Reseach and Adventure, 2003-05-20
Whether you are a world-class mountain climber, whose life is dependent on the gear you take on your next Himalayan expedition, or an arm-chair historian interested in the fascinating innovations that made the assent of Everest possible - this book is a must read. Invisible On Everest blends tales of high adventure and tragedy with a thoroughly researched history of the innovations that made mountain climbing, and other adventure sports, a multi-million dollar industry.
Particularly fascinating are the chapters involving women's climbing apparel and widening middle-class participation of mountain climbing throughout the early part of the last century.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in climbing or in the history early cold-weather explorers and adventurers.
Invisible On Everest is an enjoyable read and a great reference guide to understanding the evolution of cold-weather and high-altitude survival gear. It is fascinating to discover how the right gear makes the difference between success and failure.