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PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

Since this book first appeared in 1998, I’ve enjoyed numerous return visits to the Alps; sometimes guiding, but more often on research for a variety of writing projects or to work out new routes. So the decision by Cicerone Press to adapt the original hardback edition of this book to soft covers has given an opportunity to update some of the information in the light of new experience, to improve the maps and to add many more photographs. In doing so I’m grateful to all at Cicerone for their continued enthusiasm and expertise, and especially to Jonathan Williams who shares my love of these mountains. As ever this edition owes much to a great number of people whose knowledge, companionship or practical assistance has been drawn upon and so readily given. From the very start Ernst Sondheimer fed me with information, loaned maps and books, and urged me to visit remote glens where the magic of the past is still a part of the present. His lasting encouragement and friendship has added much to pleasures gained in the hills. Other mountain friends gave welcome advice which I readily acknowledge; in particular Martin Collins, Cecil Davies, Brian Evans, the late Andrew Harper, Roland Hiss, Anne Shipley, and Walt Unsworth. Both the Swiss and Austrian National Tourist Offices were generous with their assistance, as was Marion Telsnig at Thomson Holidays. Hamish Brown, the late Janet Carleton (formerly Janet Adam Smith), Cecil Davies, Brian Evans, Anne Shipley and Walt Unsworth kindly allowed me to use quotations from their letters, books or magazine articles which add quality to the text. Despite my searches I have failed to locate the copyright owners of several quotations used, and apologise to them for this. One surprising and welcome bonus that resulted from the first edition was contact with a niece of J. Hubert Walker who wrote the ‘original’ Walking in the Alps which inspired this book. Through her I learnt a little of the background of the man, which was most enlightening. Finally, as ever my wife continues to share magical days in the Alps, and provides the all-important back-up at home to enable me to concentrate on my writing. My thanks to her, and all the above, is greater than I can adequately express.

Kev Reynolds

The snow-laden Hohe Wand (3289m) above the Pfitscherjoch (Chapter 15)