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sweettina's review
The author jumped around to much when telling about his account of going up Mount Everest during a storm.
elisetheninth's review
3.0
Finally answers my burning question about how climbers void their bowels at high altitudes. The answer: with difficulty.
katgriff's review
4.0
Solid addition to the (many) 1996 Everest as it focuses on the events on the Northern route. Dickinson handles the drama that came from the North side well (the Japanese climbers who did not stop to help Indian climbers who had attempted to summit on the day of the storm). As a film maker with limited climbing experience, he represents those who were shocked the Japanese did not attempt a rescue before his own summit attempt. But after his own experience in the death zone (and seeing where the bodies of the Indian climbers were), he comes to understand the decisions made by the Japanese.
I was also into this as a memoir about trying to make a documentary on Everest. So, the added challenges that filming adds to a summit attempt and the possible technical failures.
I was also into this as a memoir about trying to make a documentary on Everest. So, the added challenges that filming adds to a summit attempt and the possible technical failures.
joabroda's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
3.5
This is another book about the terrible storm and lost lives on Mt. Everest, in May 1996. However, Dickinson was on the North Face, the Tibet side. This side of the mountain is said to be more difficult due to the cold, landscape and winds.
Dickinson was a film maker and part of an expedition that included Brian Blessed, a British entertainment personality. Dickinson's assignment was to film Blessed as he attempted to conquer Everest. Dickinson never intended to go for the summit. He hired a more qualified climber and film maker to join the expedition. Dickinson did, however, catch "summit-fever" and joined the final push to the top.
I have read better mountaineering stories, however this one still kept me entertained. Although it took nearly 100 pages of lead-in to get to the meat of the story. Once there, it was a gripping tale, but I don't think there was enough there for a book, even one this short. Dickinson includes events that occurred on the south side of Everest to fill in where his experience left off.
I am not sure why I read anything I can find on mountaineering and Everest. I suppose it is because I know it is something I will never experience. Also, I love the photo's that are usually included in the book. This one does have some awesome shots.
I am going to be on a mountaineering kick for awhile. I found a pile of books I had forgotten about and now I have "summit-fever" too.
Dickinson was a film maker and part of an expedition that included Brian Blessed, a British entertainment personality. Dickinson's assignment was to film Blessed as he attempted to conquer Everest. Dickinson never intended to go for the summit. He hired a more qualified climber and film maker to join the expedition. Dickinson did, however, catch "summit-fever" and joined the final push to the top.
I have read better mountaineering stories, however this one still kept me entertained. Although it took nearly 100 pages of lead-in to get to the meat of the story. Once there, it was a gripping tale, but I don't think there was enough there for a book, even one this short. Dickinson includes events that occurred on the south side of Everest to fill in where his experience left off.
I am not sure why I read anything I can find on mountaineering and Everest. I suppose it is because I know it is something I will never experience. Also, I love the photo's that are usually included in the book. This one does have some awesome shots.
I am going to be on a mountaineering kick for awhile. I found a pile of books I had forgotten about and now I have "summit-fever" too.
edhreads's review
3.0
A good read about a particularly dangerous summit from the North Face of Everest. The detail was very interesting especially the technical details of climbing of which I know nothing.
It's sad to think there are many bodies of climbers left on the mountain and to read about these encounters has given me a better understanding of just how tough it is out there.
I'm going to read Into Thin Air again and probably pick up another book on Everest. Fascinated by these people
It's sad to think there are many bodies of climbers left on the mountain and to read about these encounters has given me a better understanding of just how tough it is out there.
I'm going to read Into Thin Air again and probably pick up another book on Everest. Fascinated by these people
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