Bonington

111326 — London: Diadem Books 1993. First edition of this work by the legendary mountaineer. Quarto original cloth illustrated. Association copy inscribed by the author to fellow explorer Steve Fossett on the half-title page "To Steve Fellow adventurer and mountaineer who has achieved so much on land at sea and in the air. Warm good wishes Chris." From the library of James Stephen “Steve†Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days 8 hours and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale FAI which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert between Nevada and California. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional association copy linking these two pioneering explorers. In this work Chris Bonington recounts his participation in many mountain climbing expeditions from Great Britain and the Alps to the Himalayas and describes how mountaineering has changed over the years. Diadem Books hardcover