K2: Life And Death On The World's Most Dangerous Mountain (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
For someone like me who doesn't understand the appeal of mountaineering, this is as good an introduction to the alpinists' mindset as any. Each chapter gives a solid accounting of an expedition up K2, the second highest, first deadliest mountain on Earth. The writing is accessible for folks like me who've never even climbed a rock wall at a sporting goods store; it was a good education that felt like the best of history, alive with passion and pathos. I still don't understand why a man who has young children would climb a mountain that kills 40% of the people who ascend it. That's my main gripe with folks who do this lifestyle (as author Viesturs points out, it goes farther than mere sport). But I AM glad I read this. No doubt Ed Viesturs is good at what he does. He thinks so too, but is relatively modest about saying so. Modestly immodest is how I came to think of it over the course of reading this book. The third person historical sections of this book are relatively straightforward and well-written, written as they are most likely by David Roberts. Then Ed chimes in with some commentary or analogy to his own experience: "I was very gratified, then, when Pemba Gyalje was hailed by National Geographic Adventure in December 2008 as its Adventurer of the Year, and award I had won in 2005." Maybe he's just citing a fact, but it seemed in poor taste to remind the reader of this when pondering Mr. Gyalje's bravery during the 2008 K2 disaster. It's not that Ed seems like a blow-hard. In a sport that attracts competitive egoists, he's probably a really friendly, down-to-earth guy. He lives on the same island as my mother, which isn't necessarily a vote for his down-to-earthiness, but he's a vet too! He likes to talk about how safe and cautious he is when climbing and all the mistakes he's never made compared to the mistakes that others have made, and he also likes to say that he never talks trash even while he's kinda talking some trash. However, I believe him about all of these things. From what I understand about serious mountaineers, he's probably one of the nicest, willing to help other mountaineers in trouble in a field where it's par-for-course to leave others for dead to preserve your own hide. And he is actually probably one of the safest, which is why he's summited all 14 8000 meter peaks and isn't dead, and why no other American has duplicated this feat, despite Ed having completed it back in 2005. I have a lot of respect for Ed. I just don't think he's a very good writer, but that's not what he is. He's a mountaineer and a vet, which is why David Roberts' name is on the cover too. All in all, I guess I didn't read this book for its literary merit, but for the adventure and to learn more about Himalayan mountaineering. And I would recommend other do the same.
What do You think about K2: Life And Death On The World's Most Dangerous Mountain (2009)?
Another excellent book on climbing, this one outlining the complexity of conquering K2.
—shanu
Great book and a great story. I was cold for hours after reading it.
—murdermtn
I liked this book, but I felt it jumped around a little.
—boosie123
Mountaineers are amazing people--insane, but amazing.
—katy
