Reinhold Messner (born
September 17,
1944) is one of the most accomplished
climbers of the
20th century, notable as the first to ascend
Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen, for a solo ascent of
Nanga Parbat[?], and as the first to climb all 14
eight-thousanders[?] (peaks over 8,000 meters). He also wrote a number of books about his experiences.