Austria 8000: Österreichische Alpinisten auf den Höchsten Gipfeln der Welt [Austria 8000: Austrian Alpinists on the Highest Peaks of the World]

When it came to climbing the highest summits of the world, Austrian climbers were at the forefront from the beginning. After the World War II they made five first ascents of 8000m peaks, more than any other nation, - Nanga Parbat, Cho Oyu, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak and Dhaulagiri. Hermann Buhl became the first person to make first ascents of two of the world's highest mountains. Austrians were also among the leading new pioneers of the 1970s and 1980s: Peter Habeler set two milestones of high-altitude climbing with the first alpine-style ascent of an 8000er and the first ascent of Everest without supplementary oxygen. Even today, Austrian alpinists leave their marks on the highest peaks; as shown by Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner who, in 2011, became the first woman to climb all fourteen 8000ers without bottled oxygen. In 28 stories Hemmleb paints a comprehensive and multi-facetted picture of Austrian accomplishments on all 14 of the world's highest mountains through compelling stories, insightful portraits and personal interviews. Includes a table of all Austrian summitteers of 8000-metre peaks compiled by renowned mountaineering statistician Eberhard Jurgalski. In German, no English translation.