"The 4000m Peaks of the Alps provides a practical companion guide to the Alpine 4000ers with detailed description of every worthwhile route from Facile (F) to Difficile (sup) (D+/TD-). "As well as the 50 major mountains, every significant subsidiary top is visited by one or more route. In total over 230 routes are described, ranging from beginners' climbs on the Breithorn and Allalinhorn to magnificent grandes courses like the Peuterey Ridge of Mont Blanc. "In addition the valley bases, huts and hut approaches are described in detail, so that mountaineers can plan and execute their 4000m campaign without need to refer to any other texts. "The guidebook builds on the Alpine Club's long and distinquished pedigree of publishing regional guides to the Alps. "Martin Moran brings his climbing passion and experience to add an inspirational flavour to the peak portraits and route descriptions.

Kari Blodig, who started the 4000 meter peak quest with his book is 1829, had identified 81 summits. However there were inconsistencies in the Blodig list. In 1994, a UIAA committee arbitrated on the obvious anomalies (some great multi-peak massifs had only their highest points noted, while other groups had every significant summit accredited). By using adjoining col depth as a guideline, the UIAA process settled on a new tally of 88 peaks. These not only took in the obvious heights of big peaks like Liskamm, Breithorn, Grand Combin, and Grandes Jonasses, but also drew attention to a number of proud individual rock gendarmes on the ridges of the higher peaks. In this second edition of his guide, Richard Goedeke has incorporated all the UIAA promoted peaks. In addition, he has noted seven extra summits that merit accreditation based on the new guidelines, and discusses the status of those listed that barely meet the criteria but are noted for other reasons. As some of the new peaks are easily reached in the process of other expeditions, their inclusion is largely academic. Other newly acclaimed summits bring an extra dimension to the 4000m list. The Grand Gendarme of the Weisshom, the Aiguilles du Diables on Mont Blanc du Tacul and the western summits of the Grandes Jorasses introduce new expeditions of considerable challenge to the 4000m odyssey.

The story of the author's quest to climb the 4000m mountains of the Alps with informative chapters on the practicalities and distinctive features of alpine climbing. There are detailed descriptions of climbing and travelling amongst the Alps and stunning photography with action shots of climbing.

Many climbers dedicate a lifetime to the conquest of the Alpine peaks over 4000 metres high, but Martin Moran and Simon Jenkins set out to climb all 75 of them in one continuous journey. Furthermore, they shunned motorized transport, and instead used bicycles to travel from one starting point to the next. Faced with blizzards, white-outs and thunderstorms, and fighting hunger, exhaustion and near-despair, the two men succeeded in their attempt, covering more than 1000km, including 70,000 metres of ascent, in just 52 days.

A guide to the 58 Alpine peaks that exceed 4000 metres, each illustrated with photographs, ancillary diagrams and information including the easiest lines of ascent with other ascent routes and an historical commentary. The photographs have accompanying line drawings marking all key features.