The story of the first ascents of many of Norway’s most dramatic peaks,
Slingsby’s book is still a very relevant guidebook to many Norwegian mountain
areas today. Slingsby was one of the leading climbers of his generation,
climbing in Britain and the Alps, and he is still held in the highest regard
in Norway as the father of Norwegian mountaineering. In contrast to many areas
of the Alps, the Norse mountains have been spared the same proliferation of
telepheriques and ski resorts; and so many of the corries and peaks are still
in the same wilderness condition as when Slingsby first climbed them. ‹Norway:
The Northern Playground› has long been regarded by many as an indispensable
work on the region. So, if you’re looking for the English language overview of
the Norwegian mountains or just an exciting ripping yarn to while away a long
winter’s night, this book cannot be recommended enough.
The 2003 edition will have a new introduction written by Tony Howard, renowned
for the first successful ascent of Troll Wall and latterly, the desert climbs
of Wadi Rum.