A Slender Thread: Disaster in the Himalaya - Tapa dura

"Venables is one of the best climbers in the world, and one of the best writers about climbing... Read it, but be careful. You may never be content just to climb the stairs again." - "Mail on Sunday "The plummet experienced by Venables on the descent from his successful first ascent of Panch Chuli V in the Himalayas was of the kind most feared by climbers, the failure of an abseil point, an incident which usually guarantees death... Venables writes with understated elegance, conjuring up vividly and honestly his companions while also showing an acute awareness of the environment through which he travels." - "Observer "One of the most successful climbers of his generation...outstanding...his best book." - Ed Douglas, "Climber "From the Hardcover edition.

A dramatic account of the mountaineering disaster on the unclimbed and sacred mountain of Panch Chuli, which so nearly ended the life of Stephen Venables, the greatest British climber of his generation.