The untimely death of Dougal Haston in 1977 robbed climbing of one of its most charismatic, controversial and enigmatic figures. A man of extremes, who managed to combine a rock star's lifestyle with a career at the cutting edge of world mountaineering, Haston remains a cult figure whose deeds have inspired generations of climbers world-wide.

Connor traces the career of a great climber from his native Scottish hills to his startling feats on Everest and the world's other great mountains.This definitive biography, which draws on never before seen diaries, explores the agonised development of Haston the man.

Jeff Connor was born in Manchester and was educated at Bury Grammar School where his studies lost out to sport at the age of 15. A retired ruby player at both codes of union and league he is also a former champion professional hill runner, a keen skier and a five-days-a-week gym addict. He is divorced, lives in Edinburgh and is the rugby correspondent for Scotland's leading Sunday newspaper, Scotland on Sunday.
His previous books include 'Wide Eyed and Legless: Inside the Tour de France' and 'Creagh Dhu Climber' (short listed for the Boardman/Tasker and Banff Mountain Festival prizes for mountain literature in 1999/2000).