---
product_id: 20632397
title: "The Crystal Horizon: Everest-The First Solo Ascent"
brand: "reinhold messner"
price: "A$94"
currency: AUD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/20632397-the-crystal-horizon-everest-the-first-solo-ascent
store_origin: AU
region: Australia
---

# The Crystal Horizon: Everest-The First Solo Ascent

**Brand:** reinhold messner
**Price:** A$94
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Crystal Horizon: Everest-The First Solo Ascent by reinhold messner
- **How much does it cost?** A$94 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.au](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/20632397-the-crystal-horizon-everest-the-first-solo-ascent)

## Best For

- reinhold messner enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted reinhold messner brand quality
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## Description

The Crystal Horizon: Everest-The First Solo Ascent

## Images

![The Crystal Horizon: Everest-The First Solo Ascent - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lVTp3wvrL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Only for purists of Messner.
  

*by J***F on Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2019*

Honestly, it couldn't hold my attention. Too much side-tracking on the history of Tibet and his own philosophy, which I already knew enough about. I guess I wanted the story to focus on a very serious endeavor, and didn't get too much of that - having to force myself to read further.  After reading more than 20 stories of high-altitude mountaineers and amazing stories of survival - some great, some at least better than average - Crystal Horizon was by far the most boring. Messner's writing was fine, but the story was not that eventful or captivating. I would never deride Messner - he is an amazing person, conceited or not - so I never read it as an expose on his ego like other reviewers have, maybe he was just so good and lucky, he was not capable of making serious errors in judgement? For those who really enjoy Messner, I won't tell you to disregard it; for the rest of us arm-chair high-altitude mountaineers - unless you are running out of good material on the subject, don't waste your money. From what I've read thus far, Ed Viesturs is far more reliable, interesting and exciting - for those of us who are waiting around for the next epic disaster in the death zone to be written about, Viesturs can satisfy your boredom.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Simply A Fabulous Book
  

*by R***E on Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2014*

An outstanding book, about probably the most incredible Himalayan ascent of any 8000+ meter peak. Climbing Mt. Everest solo without ANY support from Sherpas or any other climbers, with an unheard-of 4-person 'expedition' (only with his girlfriend, a mandated Chinese military  'liaison officer', and a translator), no 'fixed ropes', no bottled oxygen. Not only that, he ventured forth in the 'monsoon' of summer when other climbers fear to tread the high mountains of that region. The achievement in itself is a worthy read, but Messner is a sensitive and philosophical person, who engages with the cultures and people en route, and ably shares all of that with us as well.  Messner is not only the finest high-altitude mountaineer in history, he is also fabulous writer, and the translation from the original German (he is Austrian, from the Tyrolean Alps) is faithful to his style and nature. I have a very large collection of mountaineering books, and this at or near the top. Not because of an epic survival (like Touching The Void), or epic disaster (Into Thin Air) but because of an epic vision carried to completion, against impossible odds, and wise perspectives on things other than just the mountain.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    BRILLIANT
  

*by L***E on Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2012*

Everest is a household name and has been for a long time all over the world. I was very impressed with this book. I learned more about Tibet, its people, religion and history than you will ever be taught in a western school. This book is full of fantastic photos of this region and its people. The logistics of this feat and polotics of dealing with the Chinese as well as the cost amazed me. His trip was difficult before he ever began the trek to the mountain itself. This mountain is constantly assaulted by huge (and well financed) expeditions mostly from the southern (easier) route. This book follows Messner on the north side of the mountain which is a more difficult route. It takes more than freakish genetics, an insane no quit attitude, and the mental toughness to deal with doing this totally alone. You have to luck into good weather. Messner left a female companion at a camp of 6500 meters (enough to kill most mortals in itself) and took his all his provisions on his back. Carrying a mere 10 lbs at this altitude would be the equivalent of hiking 15 miles over unstable terrain with a fat girl on your back breathing through a straw. No ropes, no Sherpa support, no radio, no crevasse ladders, and no help if he got into trouble. And he pulled this off. Messner is one of the toughest human beings I have ever seen.

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*Product available on Desertcart Australia*
*Store origin: AU*
*Last updated: 2026-03-17*