London, 1951, 1st edition. 282 pp, 36 plates. Five peaks were climbed. A small expedition to the Garhwal Himalaya with Tom Weir, Douglas Scott and Tom MacKinnon. They climbed five mountains, including making the first ascent of Uja Tirche and forcing the Girthi Gorge. Bright DJ, Fine. The dust jacket on this title is often in less than perfect condition. This example of the dust jacket is uncommonly fine and bright, with the slightest edge wear, but no tears and no chips missing. One of the greatest quotes in a mountaineering book comes from Murray's Scottish Himalayan Expedition. A quotation by Murray is widely misattributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The following passage occurs near the beginning of Murray's The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951): ... but when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money— booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it! The 'Goethe couplet' referred to here is from an extremely loose translation of Faust lines 214-30 made by John Anster in 1835.
The 'Goethe couplet' referred to here is from an extremely loose translation of Faust lines 214-30 made by John Anster in 1835.
