On 20 August 1980 Reinhold Messner reached the summit of Everest - alone and without the use of oxygen. This is an account of his extraordinary achievement. Messner describes his journey through Tibet and identifies with mountaineers who went before him, such as Mallory, Irvine and Wilson.



Messner describes with clarity and passion his journey through Tibet. He identifies with legendary mountaineers who have been before him - Mallory, Irvine and Wilson come to life as he makes his ascent to the roof of the world.