Anniversary edition of Chris Bonington's iconic Everest the Hard Way celebrates fifty years since Britons first stood on the roof of the world

On 24 September 1975 a team of mountaineers led by Chris Bonington became the first Britons to stand on the summit of Everest. Ascending via its treacherous South West Face – one of the highest and steepest inclines in the world – they had accomplished the ultimate feat in endurance and skill. Fifty years following their historic climb, mountaineering publisher Vertebrate is releasing an anniversary edition of Bonington's iconic Everest the Hard Way, which vividly recreates the joy and jeopardy of the expedition with first-hand accounts by his fellow climbers, stunning photography and detailed maps and appendices.

The ascent, which bore little resemblance to modern day Himalayan challenges, was all the more remarkable when considered in the context of 1975 – when weather forecasts at altitude were scant, helicopter support was non-existent and climbing equipment, though improving, was much less sophisticated and led to a greater risk of frostbite. The South West Face had defeated five preceding attempts, including one led by Bonington himself, as the way to the summit was impeded by the notorious thousand-foot Rock Band, at 27,000 feet. But this time, the team's ingenuity in resolving a supply problem at camps 4 and 5 paved the way for lead climbers Doug Scott and Dougal Haston to scale the South Summit and the South East Ridge to the main summit.

Bonington said: ‘Reflecting on Everest the Hard Way all these years later, I’m humbled by the extraordinary courage of the team, the enduring power of friendship forged in hardship and the timeless inspiration this ascent continues to offer. I’m honoured to see this anniversary edition bring our toughest climb to a new generation.’

The anniversary edition of Everest the Hard Way will be published on 24 September, exactly fifty years since the team reached the summit of Everest.