Norway, 1997, 1st edition. 160 pp, 100+ color photos. In English. A Norwegian expedition returned to Queen Maud Land to make first ascent of a huge unclimbed peak. Gorgeously illustrated. Large-format hardcover, new with dust jacket.
Discovered by Viggo Widere February 6, 1937, Rondane is an independent mountain massifin Queen Maud Land. Rondespiret is not the highest mountain in the area, but is without doubt the most impressive peak. With its needle shape, extreme location and wall heights of 2,500 to 3,500 feet, most mountains pale in comparison. I have climbed Cerro Terre, stood at the foot of Trango Tower, and flown past Ulvetanna, but when we approached Rondespiret, I felt queasy and had to look down. The mountain was awesome-steeper than anything I had ever seen. With co-ordinates at roughly 72 degrees south and 26 degrees east, Rondespiret is located approximately 350 miles east of Ulvetanna and 125 miles inland. The area is extremely exposed to wind and everything appears to have been sand-blasted. Virtually no snow, polished surfaces, zero vegetation, and only the odd bird alighting briefly before flying on. In 1994, the transportation in to the Ulvetanna base camp had involved Russian ice-breakers, rusty helicopters and obsolete snowmobiles. This time around everything was much simpler. Three flights put us at the foot of the mountain. But it was expensive. Adventure Network doesn’t offer excursion fares. ASLAK AASTORP, Norway
