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Overview
Every day, the path up the South Col route to the summit of Everest becomes a little more worn by the tread of dozens of package-tour climbers, but few dare to try the East, or Kangshung, Face, a sheer, avalanche-swept wall of snow and ice only first conquered in 1983. Five years later, Stephen Venables intensified the challenge by leading three unknown American climbers up the East Face - this time without oxygen. The question to most climbing experts wasn't whether they would summit, but whether they would live. They nearly didn't Everest: Alone at the Summit is Venables' rousing account of one of the greatest feats of twentieth century mountaineering, a triumph over doubt, the elements and the limits of human endurance that has never been repeated. "Climbers or not, all will be interested in this mountaineering thriller of a tiny band pulling off an incredible victory-an account so stirring it will be put down only to obtain a moment's breather." -- American Alpine JournalSynopsis
Every day, the path up the South Col route to the summit of Everest becomes a little more worn by the tread of dozens of package-tour climbers, but few dare to try the East, or Kangshung, Face, a sheer, avalanche-swept wall of snow and ice only first conquered in 1983. Five years later, Stephen Venables intensified the challenge by leading three unknown American climbers up the East Face - this time without oxygen. The question to most climbing experts wasn't whether they would summit, but whether they would live. They nearly didn't Everest: Alone at the Summit is Venables' rousing account of one of the greatest feats of twentieth century mountaineering, a triumph over doubt, the elements and the limits of human endurance that has never been repeated. "Climbers or not, all will be interested in this mountaineering thriller of a tiny band pulling off an incredible victory-an account so stirring it will be put down only to obtain a moment's breather." -- American Alpine Journal
KLIATT
In the spring of 1988, the author and three companions embarked on an expedition that would ultimately test the limits of human endurance. Their goal: the summit of Mt. Everest. Their modus operandi: no porters, no bottled oxygen, and a route that included the Kangshung Face, the most formidable part of the world's highest mountain. Apprised of this audacious plan, veteran American alpinist Charles Houston reportedly exclaimed, "Kangshung Face! Four people! You're mad!" Seven weeks after arriving at the base of the massive wall, Venables and Venables alone reached the summit, the first Briton to do so without oxygen. Of course summitting means little if one does not successfully descend, and the author had a problem in that regard. A blizzard slowed him down, and he was forced to spend a night in the open at 28,000 feet—incredible. Obviously he lived to tell his remarkable tale, as did his fellow climbers. Originally published in Britain 12 years ago, Thunder's Mouth Press has reissued this extraordinary account under its Adrenaline Classics imprint, making it available to American readers for the first time. Thank you, Jon Krakauer. Legendary Reinhold Messner gives the book a big thumbs up, and I concur. Supplementing the thrilling narrative is a wealth of dramatic photographs, an extremely helpful selection of maps and diagrams, and several interesting appendices, including an expedition diary, and a historical overview of high altitude climbing sans oxygen. Adventure writing at its most compelling. (Adrenaline). KLIATT Codes: SA*—Exceptional book, recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Publishers Group West/Thunder'sMouth, 262p, illus, index, 23cm, 00-044297, $14.95. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Randy M. Brough; Lib. Dir., Franklin P.L., Franklin, NH January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)