The history of mountains is filled with the names and feats of champions who have excelled in the vertical world. However, the tools that help pave the way for their triumphs are rarely, if ever, mentioned. Yet their design and improvement over the course of this history has contributed to the success of increasingly bold adventures, and to the development of a wide variety of mountains activities. For over 40 years, Petzl and its founders have served this movement. Through its caving heritage, in which Fernand Petzl played a major role, the manufacturer has and continues to explore all facets of the mountains - rock, snow, ice, nighttime - in addition to the complex world of mountain rescue and work at height. From headlamps to the Grigri belay device, by way of alpine touring bindings, harnesses, and ice axes, Petzl´s history is filled with inventions that improve access, day and night, to countless types of terrain. Written like a novel, this history also chronicles the saga of a family that started from nothing to build a world-renowned brand.