Mountaineering. A story of challenge and science

A few personal significant memories introduce an updated medical view of the adaptive human response on exposure to high altitude. Three great mountaineering achievements, Monte Bianco, Monte Rosa and Everest, in particular its first ascent without oxygen are considered as key events stimulating the development of knowledge. The book is addressed to a wide sector of people: those who intend to practice in full safety mountaineering, trekking and exploration; medical doctors/students with specific interest in mountain medicine; finally, several concepts may well catch the interest of those practicing long distance sports activities (marathon, cycling). The text is kept easy to follow thanks to the numerous figures. A wide list of references addresses both history of mountaineering and science, the latter being updated to 2022. Some water colours from the author are scattered in the text. A grateful thank to Dr. Duncan Newton, a British colleague, for editing the text.