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.