AN illustrated talk about the human fascination with the highest places in the world is being hosted by Rossiter Books.

Author Daniel Light will take the Ross-on-Wye audience on a panoramic journey through the storied history of mountaineering ‘before Everest’.

The White Ladder is the true story of the thrill-seekers, mapmakers, soldiers, occultists, artists and porters who paved the way for modern mountaineering.

Daniel grew up in Godalming, a stone’s throw from the family home of George and Ruth Mallory.  George Mallory's climbing partner was Sandy Irvine, who disappeared with him on Everest, and was a regular visitor to Ross, spending his summer holidays here as a child, where his aunt lived,

Daniel has been climbing indoors and out for 20 years. From childhood, Dan loved reading about mountaineers and for him the best mountain literature has everything – action, adventure, comedy, tragedy, mystery and romance. The White Ladder contains all of these.

The examination of the triumph and tragedy at the dawn of mountaineering is at Rossiter Books in the town’s High Street on Tuesday, September 10 at 7pm. Ticket are £6 each (£3 redeemable against the book. Book tickets on 01989 564464 or via rossiterbooks.co.uk.