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The Mountain of My Fear
Book by Roberts, David
157 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
David Roberts
61 books225 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See this thread for more information.
David Roberts is the award-winning author of twenty-nine books about mountaineering, exploration, and anthropology. His most recent publication, Alone on the Wall, was written with world-class rock climber Alex Honnold, whose historic feats were featured in the film Free Solo.
See this thread for more information.
David Roberts is the award-winning author of twenty-nine books about mountaineering, exploration, and anthropology. His most recent publication, Alone on the Wall, was written with world-class rock climber Alex Honnold, whose historic feats were featured in the film Free Solo.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2020
The story of climbing the Mount Huntington in Alaska by a group of four friends is brilliantly presented. It is not merely an story of climbing mountain but also the philosophy of life. Nothing is fair. Among four friends, why Ed had to die and other three to survive? No one knows and still this question torturers great mountaineers like Conrad Anker.
"Climbing together, forces close to each other physically and sometimes spiritually, still can't overcome the irreducible barriers of their separate selves. Nor can writing ultimately translate the experience. So in words, all that may ultimately get through is some third-hand filtration to life that was one lived. A man's best moments seem to go by before he notices them; and he spends a large part of his life reaching back fro them like a runner for a baton that will never come. In disappointment, he grows nostalgic; and nostalgia a inevitably blurs the memory of the immediate thrill, which simply because it had to be instantaneous could not have lasted. "
"Men, among them mountaineers, have claimed that the only discovery one can make by climbing is that of oneself. But there must be easier ways; and anyway is that discovery as important as others we might attempt with the same effort? Will it cure loneliness? Will it make death sweet? Yet I have come down from mountains comprehending no better who I am or why I climbed that when I set out, and still been happy. Climbers take risks, and to climb is so all-involving that it temporarily approximates life. "
"Neither of us could have reached this place in the sky alone; if we could have, the excitement would have been fraught with loneliness. Because we shared the pleasure now, neither of us could feel lonely. "
"Climbing together, forces close to each other physically and sometimes spiritually, still can't overcome the irreducible barriers of their separate selves. Nor can writing ultimately translate the experience. So in words, all that may ultimately get through is some third-hand filtration to life that was one lived. A man's best moments seem to go by before he notices them; and he spends a large part of his life reaching back fro them like a runner for a baton that will never come. In disappointment, he grows nostalgic; and nostalgia a inevitably blurs the memory of the immediate thrill, which simply because it had to be instantaneous could not have lasted. "
"Men, among them mountaineers, have claimed that the only discovery one can make by climbing is that of oneself. But there must be easier ways; and anyway is that discovery as important as others we might attempt with the same effort? Will it cure loneliness? Will it make death sweet? Yet I have come down from mountains comprehending no better who I am or why I climbed that when I set out, and still been happy. Climbers take risks, and to climb is so all-involving that it temporarily approximates life. "
"Neither of us could have reached this place in the sky alone; if we could have, the excitement would have been fraught with loneliness. Because we shared the pleasure now, neither of us could feel lonely. "
December 14, 2023
This is considered one of the best mountaineering books of all time. It's pretty good.
David Roberts describes his ascent of Mount Huntington, in Alaska, over several weeks, with 3 climbing partners. They are all young; some experienced, others not so much. Without spoiling much, I can say they were successful in reaching the summit, but the climb was nevertheless eventful -- even tragic. The events described in the book should be understandable and entertaining even for readers who are not familiar with the technical aspects of mountain climbing.
This was written very quickly, it was the author's first book, and it deals with events that shaped his life. As a result, the book feels profoundly honest in many ways; but it is also not the book of a mature man, or of a mature author. There are sections that feel pretentious or overstated; we can tell that Roberts is going for stylistic effects that he doesn't master yet, and that don't blend in neatly with his narrative. But this is pretty much the rule for mountaineering books -- which are usually written by mountaineers, not by professional writers. Roberts, having a PhD in English, is much better than most at setting up characters and locations, at conveying emotions, at introspection, and at delivering the story at a pace that is neither too slow nor too rushed.
All in all, an engaging and deeply personal report about a mountaineering expedition, worth a read if you're into alpinism or, more broadly, adventure.
David Roberts describes his ascent of Mount Huntington, in Alaska, over several weeks, with 3 climbing partners. They are all young; some experienced, others not so much. Without spoiling much, I can say they were successful in reaching the summit, but the climb was nevertheless eventful -- even tragic. The events described in the book should be understandable and entertaining even for readers who are not familiar with the technical aspects of mountain climbing.
This was written very quickly, it was the author's first book, and it deals with events that shaped his life. As a result, the book feels profoundly honest in many ways; but it is also not the book of a mature man, or of a mature author. There are sections that feel pretentious or overstated; we can tell that Roberts is going for stylistic effects that he doesn't master yet, and that don't blend in neatly with his narrative. But this is pretty much the rule for mountaineering books -- which are usually written by mountaineers, not by professional writers. Roberts, having a PhD in English, is much better than most at setting up characters and locations, at conveying emotions, at introspection, and at delivering the story at a pace that is neither too slow nor too rushed.
All in all, an engaging and deeply personal report about a mountaineering expedition, worth a read if you're into alpinism or, more broadly, adventure.
December 13, 2020
A quick read. There are long passages describing the mindset of isolation that a climber, even while accompanied, falls into. The dichotomy between those diary like passages and the very brief description of the observation of and reaction to the book's tragedy speaks to the era, or possibly the state of shock this may have been written in.
The book is not hard to comprehend for non-climbers, but the reader is thrown in the deep end. Climbing terms are used without explanation (context makes them easy enough to figure out), and the author's natural mindset of minimizing danger may round the corners of what a monumental achievement four relative novices achieved.
A great book by a non-writer. The author articulates himself very well, and puts down moving passages, but the cohesive whole feels less-than. Still very worth reading.
The book is not hard to comprehend for non-climbers, but the reader is thrown in the deep end. Climbing terms are used without explanation (context makes them easy enough to figure out), and the author's natural mindset of minimizing danger may round the corners of what a monumental achievement four relative novices achieved.
A great book by a non-writer. The author articulates himself very well, and puts down moving passages, but the cohesive whole feels less-than. Still very worth reading.
October 13, 2025
A book about mountain climbing, and how things can go wrong in an instant. It was a riveting story, though it was the author's first book, and in parts was quite overwrought (as he himself acknowledges in a newer edition). An interesting book, and I appreciated its lack of profanity.
May 17, 2018
Engaging story about a team of 4 young climbers and their attempt at a first ascent of a desolate peak near Denali. Thrilling details of the climb mixed with thoughts and musings about life.
June 12, 2019
Wow a mountain adventure book that wasn't all negative. fast read and exciting to wait until the turning point.........well done
September 22, 2020
2wellmakeitdave6
February 24, 2025
Although The Mountain of My Fear is better written than Robert's earlier book Deborah, I liked Deborah more as there was less philosophizing in it. I'd be careful to avoid looking at the photos as they spoil what comes in the subsequent pages.
Both are a great read for anyone interested in climbing or adventure.
A few of my favorite passages:
Both are a great read for anyone interested in climbing or adventure.
A few of my favorite passages:
July 26, 2012
David Robert's memoir "The Mountain of my Fear" chronicles his 1965 four-man climb of a new route on Alaska's Mount Huntington, expedition that resulted in a successful summit and a tragic accident on the way down. Roberts offers just the right amount of technical climbing information, poetic waxing and introspection about his team members. His anguish after the accident is almost palpable. This is definitely one of the better mountaineering memoirs out there.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews