Modern alpinists try to climb mountains by a route which will give them good sport, and the more difficult it is, the more highly it is regarded. In the pioneering days, however, this was not the case at all. The early climbers were looking for the easiest way to the top, because the summit was the prize they sought. They were not so much interested in the climb itself as in reaching the top. It is true that during their explorations they often faced difficulties of the most perilous nature.