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Just for the love of it
This is an expanded edition, containing an extra chapter written exclusively for the softcover and ebook. editions The original book tells the story of Cathy O'Dowd's first three Everest expeditions: her successful ascent of the south col route in 1996 (becoming the 1st South African to climb Everest), her unsuccessful attempt on the north ridge route in 1998 and her successful return in 1999 (1st woman in the world to climb Everest from both sides). This edition contains one more chapter, which tells the story of her attempt to climb a new route on the east face of Everest in 2003.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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402 people want to read
About the author
Cathy O'Dowd
4 books9 followersCathy O'Dowd is a South African author and climber who now lives in Andorra, in the Pyrenees mountains. She was the first South African (of either sex) to climb Everest and the first woman in the world to climb Everest from both sides. She has been climbing for over 30 years. She is also passionate about ski mountaineering and rock climbing. She works as an inspirational speaker on the international corporate speaking circuit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 27, 2017
1996 and Cathy O’Dowd puts in a great effort to get selected to join a South African expedition team in its attempt to climb the classic south route up Everest. What an expedition group she was in and not in a good way. No-one got on and the men just moaned or were sexist and abhorrent. They really come over as pathetic. The woman doctor was dismissed for being irresponsible. It was a mess of a team that Ian Woodall was leading. President Nelson Mandela penned a message ‘When I met the team I warned them it would not be easy and there would be set-backs. This has now happened. I call upon all members to try and settle the matter. This expedition is very important. It is important for South Africa. Our young sports people are reaching for the stars. I wish the team well.’
Well, what a start to this great and inspiring book. If it wasn’t enough attempting to climb Everest, you have to contend with a completely dysfunctional expedition team that had no Everest experience. You know from the title of the book that Cathy triumphs and you do root for her in this really well written book. Guess what, this is the same time that Jon Krakauer went up and wrote ‘Into Thin Air’ about the 1996 disaster. That is a terrific book by the way but Cathy gives her views on the factual content. Half this book is spent on this expedition and it whizzes by. There is a lot more drama with the climb and the aftermath.
The second half of the book concentrates on the north side climb from Tibet which is harder than the south and a hell of a lot windier it seems. There is more than enough drama in this climb as well to compare with the first.
What this book did not have was the massive ego of a man coming through. These types of books written by men get cramped with ‘inspirational quotes’ and how tough and focused they are so what a nice change to just hear the facts presented in such a normal manner. No bravado. No, look at me, beat chest, blah blah blah. What Cathy achieved was remarkable and this book is a great accompaniment to her achievements.
Well, what a start to this great and inspiring book. If it wasn’t enough attempting to climb Everest, you have to contend with a completely dysfunctional expedition team that had no Everest experience. You know from the title of the book that Cathy triumphs and you do root for her in this really well written book. Guess what, this is the same time that Jon Krakauer went up and wrote ‘Into Thin Air’ about the 1996 disaster. That is a terrific book by the way but Cathy gives her views on the factual content. Half this book is spent on this expedition and it whizzes by. There is a lot more drama with the climb and the aftermath.
The second half of the book concentrates on the north side climb from Tibet which is harder than the south and a hell of a lot windier it seems. There is more than enough drama in this climb as well to compare with the first.
What this book did not have was the massive ego of a man coming through. These types of books written by men get cramped with ‘inspirational quotes’ and how tough and focused they are so what a nice change to just hear the facts presented in such a normal manner. No bravado. No, look at me, beat chest, blah blah blah. What Cathy achieved was remarkable and this book is a great accompaniment to her achievements.
November 24, 2016
Cathy does not waste time talking endlessly about her childhood and youth, which I was pleased about. She starts with brief mentions of a few early climbs that she did before reading about a South African contest to recruit women for an attempt on Everest. She is brutal about her opinion of the other women she was competing with and describes how those on the shortlist went on a final selection hike on Kilimanjaro, during which she and Deshun are chosen for Base Camp.
It is probably a good time to point out that the South African expedition to Everest in 1996 are blamed in other books for failing to assist in the disaster rescue and that leader Ian Woodall was not liked by any other expedition leader. I'm not going to go into any of that in this review. I am talking in this review about what is happening within this team at war, the quality of the writing and storytelling, not going moral or deciding if people are lying. I'm mentioning it in case others who have read Into Thin Air etc comment on me not talking about the allegations here.
The first obvious thing about the Everest team is that they were not a team from the start. The men, with the exception of Bruce, did not like the way that Ian was running the team and were in rebellion. This seems to be accepted by all sides though opinions differ as to who was right. Based on Cathy's opinion, the others were said to complain about sponsorship duties, the equipment, how Ian was handling things and about the expedition in general. The journalists who were with the team to send reports did not get on with Ian either. Cathy indicates that Ken was unfit, rude, racist, bigoted and complained about everything as he didn't want that assignment. I need to point out that the jounalist in question wrote his own book with his side of the story which I haven't read so I can't comment on who is right. Either way, morale was low before they started.
One thing in the book which is verified by another book is the ongoing saga of the team doctor Charlotte. Cathy claims that she was always going off without telling people where she was going, so that when she was needed to treat someone, she could never be found. It is also claimed that she neglected her patients, was always late, upset the Sherpas by dressing in skimpy clothing and never did what she was told, leading to her being fired several times before reaching Base Camp. At Base Camp, Charlotte was looking to climb with a different team and asked Goran Kropp, a solo climber, to be put on his expedition which he agreed to on the condition that she had a permit before climbing. On finding out that she went into the Icefall with no permit, he kicked her out and a liason officer ejected her from Base Camp. This was in his book and it backs up what the South African leadership said about Charlotte, so it looks clear that she was indeed a problem.
Charlotte's alleged affair with a married climber is said to have got the other climbers on her side, leading to the other men quitting the expedition. It did not provide a good start for the remaining team members. I will be talking about the Everest expedition itself in my review of 'Free to Decide' the book about the 1996 Everest trip written by Cathy and Ian.
After the 1996 expedition Ian and Cathy set up their own climbing company and decide to do another climbing competition to select new team members for an attempt on the north face of Everest. Selection takes place on Aconcagua but at Everest Base Camp, Cathy and Ian are not impressed that the chosen climbers and Base Camp manager quit because of the cold weather, altitude and conditions! It kind of makes you wonder what they thought they were signing up to...5 star hotels and a beach holiday? For Cathy, all of this pales in comparison to being confronted by a dying climber high on Everest.
I found this book to have lots of interesting detail and Cathy tells the story clearly in a way that non climbers like myself can understand . With her description of the landscape and conditions, it is easy to imagine yourself there and what it must really be like. I enjoyed the book and I liked getting some background to the in fighting in the South African team.
It is probably a good time to point out that the South African expedition to Everest in 1996 are blamed in other books for failing to assist in the disaster rescue and that leader Ian Woodall was not liked by any other expedition leader. I'm not going to go into any of that in this review. I am talking in this review about what is happening within this team at war, the quality of the writing and storytelling, not going moral or deciding if people are lying. I'm mentioning it in case others who have read Into Thin Air etc comment on me not talking about the allegations here.
The first obvious thing about the Everest team is that they were not a team from the start. The men, with the exception of Bruce, did not like the way that Ian was running the team and were in rebellion. This seems to be accepted by all sides though opinions differ as to who was right. Based on Cathy's opinion, the others were said to complain about sponsorship duties, the equipment, how Ian was handling things and about the expedition in general. The journalists who were with the team to send reports did not get on with Ian either. Cathy indicates that Ken was unfit, rude, racist, bigoted and complained about everything as he didn't want that assignment. I need to point out that the jounalist in question wrote his own book with his side of the story which I haven't read so I can't comment on who is right. Either way, morale was low before they started.
One thing in the book which is verified by another book is the ongoing saga of the team doctor Charlotte. Cathy claims that she was always going off without telling people where she was going, so that when she was needed to treat someone, she could never be found. It is also claimed that she neglected her patients, was always late, upset the Sherpas by dressing in skimpy clothing and never did what she was told, leading to her being fired several times before reaching Base Camp. At Base Camp, Charlotte was looking to climb with a different team and asked Goran Kropp, a solo climber, to be put on his expedition which he agreed to on the condition that she had a permit before climbing. On finding out that she went into the Icefall with no permit, he kicked her out and a liason officer ejected her from Base Camp. This was in his book and it backs up what the South African leadership said about Charlotte, so it looks clear that she was indeed a problem.
Charlotte's alleged affair with a married climber is said to have got the other climbers on her side, leading to the other men quitting the expedition. It did not provide a good start for the remaining team members. I will be talking about the Everest expedition itself in my review of 'Free to Decide' the book about the 1996 Everest trip written by Cathy and Ian.
After the 1996 expedition Ian and Cathy set up their own climbing company and decide to do another climbing competition to select new team members for an attempt on the north face of Everest. Selection takes place on Aconcagua but at Everest Base Camp, Cathy and Ian are not impressed that the chosen climbers and Base Camp manager quit because of the cold weather, altitude and conditions! It kind of makes you wonder what they thought they were signing up to...5 star hotels and a beach holiday? For Cathy, all of this pales in comparison to being confronted by a dying climber high on Everest.
I found this book to have lots of interesting detail and Cathy tells the story clearly in a way that non climbers like myself can understand . With her description of the landscape and conditions, it is easy to imagine yourself there and what it must really be like. I enjoyed the book and I liked getting some background to the in fighting in the South African team.
March 13, 2016
Good book. I've read a lot of these sorts of books and it definitely made an interesting change to get a woman's perspective - much more insight into the emotional side of tackling these extreme endeavours than is usually the case. It was also interesting to hear about the 1996 disaster from one of the much criticised parties. It's difficult to know who is right or wrong in these situations if you weren't there and it's probably not very clear when you are there. Everyone makes decisions for different reasons and has to live with the consequences one way or the other. I don't envy them in this case.
Not a classic of mountain literature but a real page turner all the same.
Also the first time I've read a book by someone I knew once which was a bit weird (in a good way :) )
Not a classic of mountain literature but a real page turner all the same.
Also the first time I've read a book by someone I knew once which was a bit weird (in a good way :) )
February 21, 2023
I thought this would be a normal, "I climbed Everest twice and it was hard" story, but it's far more interesting than that. Women's stories (especially before the 2010s) are unique because they have to deal with ridiculous sexism and being told they're not capable and ruining the mood at base camp and they should just turn around and go home. The first expedition was exceptionally poorly organized - she went for tryouts in South Africa with a guide who pitted the women against each other, then chose two of them despite no mountaineering experience. Then they get to Nepal and journalists who go with them, who also have no climbing experience, demand to go up Everest with them, which is not in the budget and absolutely insane. The doctor they hire to accompany them seems to have suffered some kind of dissociative episode and gave out medicine that actually almost killed (or did kill, I forget) a Sherpa woman, but she refuses to leave. The government refuses to issue a climbing permit for the other female climber for no reason. Honestly I'm shocked that any of them made it up Everest. The second time goes smoother and is less interesting, though I think one of the climbers did die. Just an all around mess of egos and sexism.
January 2, 2019
I personally know very little about climbing Everest so found this first hand account interesting. A woman's more emotional perspective gave me some insight into the challenge of conquering an activity dominated by men. I didn't read the synposis before starting, so was surprised to read about three expeditions to Everest and about Cathy's being the first woman to summit both sides of Everest.
March 24, 2019
Interesting to read a book by a female climber. Not too technical and not too much details, but not the best mountaineering book I've read.
September 20, 2013
I admit it: I'm addicted to Everest memoirs. I don't know why, but ever since reading INTO THIN AIR they've fascinated me. Living vicariously? The macabre aspect of modern Everest expeditions? Sure.
I really wanted to like this book. She seems like a great person to have coffee with. I just don't feel it was as polished as it could be. She swings from great emotional narrative (in both high and low places) to chapters that seem almost clinical in their detachment. I get what she was trying to do, especially in describing her "last" climb, it just didn't work for me.
That said, it's an entertaining read. I'd recommend going into it with climbing vocabulary and basic knowledge of the Everest climb, because she doesn't pause for definitions or maps.
I really wanted to like this book. She seems like a great person to have coffee with. I just don't feel it was as polished as it could be. She swings from great emotional narrative (in both high and low places) to chapters that seem almost clinical in their detachment. I get what she was trying to do, especially in describing her "last" climb, it just didn't work for me.
That said, it's an entertaining read. I'd recommend going into it with climbing vocabulary and basic knowledge of the Everest climb, because she doesn't pause for definitions or maps.
January 3, 2015
I like climbing stories generally and have read a fair few of them over the years. This one had been on my "wish list" for quite a lot time before I got it and I'm glad I did. Following her progress from "shall I apply for the place on the Everest exhibition" to summiting for a second time this is a good insight into Kathy's development as a climber and Everest expeditions generally. However what lifts this above a number of other similar stories is when Kathy finds a dying climber on her second summit attempt. The results of this and her personal insights and views on extreme high level rescues and their morality I found very interesting indeed.
January 30, 2014
Just reissued with an extra chapter regarding the Mazeno Ridge, I enjoyed it as much second time around.
Women mountaineers face an extra challenge and have to prove themselves to be not only responsible, technical climbers but also equable in challenging personal situations.
This O'Dowd displays in her down-to-earth, straightforward, but always well written prose.
Hard to put down. Gripping until the end. A role model if there ever was one for adventurous women who choose to walk a path outside the norm.
Women mountaineers face an extra challenge and have to prove themselves to be not only responsible, technical climbers but also equable in challenging personal situations.
This O'Dowd displays in her down-to-earth, straightforward, but always well written prose.
Hard to put down. Gripping until the end. A role model if there ever was one for adventurous women who choose to walk a path outside the norm.
May 30, 2016
So inspiring!
Cathy O'Dowd takes us through her amazing challenges attempting to summit the three faces of Everest: north, south and east. Each had its joys and its horrors. She used her enormous skill and drive to overcome adversity. What is most remarkable are the pictures and her description of the most spectacular glaciers and peaks. The most surprising thing for me is the reality of mountaineers crossing over bodies of other mountaineers who didn't make it. And her discussion of how easy it is to happen to the best mountaineers, including one of her good friends.
Cathy O'Dowd takes us through her amazing challenges attempting to summit the three faces of Everest: north, south and east. Each had its joys and its horrors. She used her enormous skill and drive to overcome adversity. What is most remarkable are the pictures and her description of the most spectacular glaciers and peaks. The most surprising thing for me is the reality of mountaineers crossing over bodies of other mountaineers who didn't make it. And her discussion of how easy it is to happen to the best mountaineers, including one of her good friends.
November 18, 2015
This book painted a very descriptive picture of Cathy O'Dowd's experiences on Mount Everest -- so detailed that I found myself dreaming of climbing each night while I was reading this. I don't expect to ever find myself on Mount Everest but she writes with such a passion for the adventure sport that I half considered adding mountaineering back to my bucket list (maybe just for the goal of Mount Kilimanjaro). Exceptional, engaging and inspiring book!
Read
November 29, 2015It's not just the inspiring journey that the author went through, but also the beautiful way in which she has narrated the events , that made me enjoy the book thoroughly. Liked the language used and the words chosen.
February 13, 2016
Loved it!
Brilliant, thought provoking, honest and in turns, brutal yet beautiful. The lessons Cathy learnt on the massive slopes of Everest are lessons that we should all aspire to remember and apply to our lives. Wonderfully written book that is well worth a visit x
Brilliant, thought provoking, honest and in turns, brutal yet beautiful. The lessons Cathy learnt on the massive slopes of Everest are lessons that we should all aspire to remember and apply to our lives. Wonderfully written book that is well worth a visit x
August 4, 2023
I really lucked out when my daughter found this in a little library and thought I might love it. She was right!
I've read a number of stories about Everest climbers, always finding something fascinating about what drives people to want to risk life, limb, and more to attempt to climb this mountain. But frankly, many of these stories are either about men banding together to reach the top, or something like Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air account of tragedy in 1996 where a number of climbers were killed.
O'Dowd's book is a refreshing new take on the same challenging, harrowing climbing adventure (her ascent of the South face just so happened to happen during the same season of Krakauer's tale) to reach the top. Her book has plenty of great details on the climbs themselves, the interactions with other climbers, and the relentless struggle against boredom that can come from hours of acclimatizing or waiting out the weather. But what I loved the most was her focus on teamwork, and how it can make or break your expedition.
Her tale has more of a focus on teamwork than I've seen in previous Everest stories, and sharing one of my favorite passages that help illustrate how interpersonal dynamics play out in stark magnified relief in high stress/pressure environments like this:
"People expect expeditions to fail due to some dramatic event, an avalanche or killer storm. Real life seldom offers anything so sensational. Expeditions crumble because their members crumble. And the members crumble under the constant pressure of the little irritations of life. On a mountain there is no escape, from the place or from the people. For 24 hours a day, week after week, you are trapped together. There is no external stimulus, no newspapers or television, to provide neutral topics of conversation. There is no one outside the group to talk to, with whom to let off steam."
When you consider that all of these climbers show up with different motivations, but often cases of extreme drive (why else would you go through with this?), then imagine putting a group of those people together in a pressure cooker that never backs off (and where mistakes are magnified and can cause risk of death with a single poorly-placed footstep), you'll walk away from this book with a different view of what life must really be like everywhere from Base Camp to the Summit (and everywhere else in between). Enjoy!
I've read a number of stories about Everest climbers, always finding something fascinating about what drives people to want to risk life, limb, and more to attempt to climb this mountain. But frankly, many of these stories are either about men banding together to reach the top, or something like Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air account of tragedy in 1996 where a number of climbers were killed.
O'Dowd's book is a refreshing new take on the same challenging, harrowing climbing adventure (her ascent of the South face just so happened to happen during the same season of Krakauer's tale) to reach the top. Her book has plenty of great details on the climbs themselves, the interactions with other climbers, and the relentless struggle against boredom that can come from hours of acclimatizing or waiting out the weather. But what I loved the most was her focus on teamwork, and how it can make or break your expedition.
Her tale has more of a focus on teamwork than I've seen in previous Everest stories, and sharing one of my favorite passages that help illustrate how interpersonal dynamics play out in stark magnified relief in high stress/pressure environments like this:
"People expect expeditions to fail due to some dramatic event, an avalanche or killer storm. Real life seldom offers anything so sensational. Expeditions crumble because their members crumble. And the members crumble under the constant pressure of the little irritations of life. On a mountain there is no escape, from the place or from the people. For 24 hours a day, week after week, you are trapped together. There is no external stimulus, no newspapers or television, to provide neutral topics of conversation. There is no one outside the group to talk to, with whom to let off steam."
When you consider that all of these climbers show up with different motivations, but often cases of extreme drive (why else would you go through with this?), then imagine putting a group of those people together in a pressure cooker that never backs off (and where mistakes are magnified and can cause risk of death with a single poorly-placed footstep), you'll walk away from this book with a different view of what life must really be like everywhere from Base Camp to the Summit (and everywhere else in between). Enjoy!
June 16, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable read of the author's experiences on Everest.
Included in the book is her experience of her time on Everest in the infamous season of 1996. I personally don't see why her account of that year should be any less truthful than the other accounts written. Especially that of a journalist who only stayed at base camp for one night, was not on the mountain when the drama unfolded, and starts his book with a fictitious account of what Bruce Herrod MIGHT have been thinking on his fateful summit day.
I am fascinated by people's ability to survive in inhospitable places and this book gripped me from cover to cover.
Included in the book is her experience of her time on Everest in the infamous season of 1996. I personally don't see why her account of that year should be any less truthful than the other accounts written. Especially that of a journalist who only stayed at base camp for one night, was not on the mountain when the drama unfolded, and starts his book with a fictitious account of what Bruce Herrod MIGHT have been thinking on his fateful summit day.
I am fascinated by people's ability to survive in inhospitable places and this book gripped me from cover to cover.
October 27, 2018
This is well worth reading and far outpaces "Free To Decide". This book surprised me with the realisation that I actually like Cathy O'Dowd! Very happy she kicked Woodall to the curb. This book does not shy away from asking and answering difficult questions, which is appreciated. One of those questions (don't pretend you don't want to know), is "when exactly DID Cathy and Ian first hook up?" The answer is the worst possible answer. Despite that, if you are at all interested in Cathy's career, this book is a good read.
May 6, 2019
Absolutely loved being immersed in Cathy’s descriptions of the Himalayas and mountaineering environment. Having recently hiked to Everest base camp it was incredible to have Cathy bring to life what it’s like beyond the camp. From a rock climber and hiker, Cathy launched herself into the world of mountaineering with her application to attempt Everest and as she became more skilled and experienced you could observe her writing grow more technical and knowledgeable. Fans singing to be along the journey from the comfort of my armchair. Highly recommend!!
December 29, 2017
An instantly engaging and highly readable story of self-discovery, physical adversity and self-belief.
A powerful story of extreme mountaineering, with joy and disaster, in equal measure as the author makes her way into the record books on the world's highest mountain.
Self-effacing and highly inspirational, this is a book to show you the power of what might be, and is a great read, regardless of whether you have any interest in climbing.
A powerful story of extreme mountaineering, with joy and disaster, in equal measure as the author makes her way into the record books on the world's highest mountain.
Self-effacing and highly inspirational, this is a book to show you the power of what might be, and is a great read, regardless of whether you have any interest in climbing.
June 25, 2021
Couldn't Put It Down!
Excellent book, shows the beauty of mountaineering without overly romanticizing it or ignoring the dangers. Wonderful to have a woman's viewpoint of the life. Highly recommended.
Excellent book, shows the beauty of mountaineering without overly romanticizing it or ignoring the dangers. Wonderful to have a woman's viewpoint of the life. Highly recommended.
May 26, 2018
Just for the love
July 9, 2019
Very good
I have read lots of books about Everest and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, very well written and very interesting
I have read lots of books about Everest and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, very well written and very interesting
July 1, 2020
Quite a gripping and joyous read - even for a non trekker like me
July 9, 2023
I never grow tired of reading about people's mountaineering experiences. This was a very easy read and once again confirms for me that I will never be a mountaineer.
Read
February 28, 2025Not rating due to being non fiction. Will say it was interesting reading about her adventures.
July 18, 2025
Very inspirational read.
July 5, 2016
It’s often the things we don’t do that we come to regret. O’Dowd, a South African, fortuitously read an advertisement looking for a woman to join an Everest team during 1996. Without any prior thought of Everest, or any similar mountain, she filled out the application, was chosen for the short list of six women, and joined the trial hike on Kilimanjaro. The criteria for the team was the ability to fit in rather than the ability to climb high mountains. O’Dowd met both challenges.
She makes the Everest climb come to life with her descriptions of the mountain and severe weather. The after-dark call to rescue another team trapped below the Hilary Step, 8 hours away, during a raging storm was riveting. O’Dowd reveals problems within the team; personality conflicts and dissention and a doctor who alternately over medicates and abandons her patients. These problems resulted in members either withdrawing or being removed from the climb.
Interestingly, O’Dowd climbed Everest at the same time as Jon Krakauer who wrote Into Thin Air about his Everest experience. You guessed it…my next book is Into Thin Air, already loaded on my Kindle!
She makes the Everest climb come to life with her descriptions of the mountain and severe weather. The after-dark call to rescue another team trapped below the Hilary Step, 8 hours away, during a raging storm was riveting. O’Dowd reveals problems within the team; personality conflicts and dissention and a doctor who alternately over medicates and abandons her patients. These problems resulted in members either withdrawing or being removed from the climb.
Interestingly, O’Dowd climbed Everest at the same time as Jon Krakauer who wrote Into Thin Air about his Everest experience. You guessed it…my next book is Into Thin Air, already loaded on my Kindle!
January 16, 2013
A mountaineering friend gave me this book for Christmas, and I thought I'd probably just look at the incredible photos and then put it away on the shelf unread. But I picked it up in between two other books and started it, and found it to be surprisingly well written. Cathy O'Dowd describes the beauty and majesty of the Himalayas with just enough, but not too many, adjectives, and really gave me a sense of the mountains' coldness and poetry. She brought out the importance of the relationships between expedition members, how that can make or break a team.I thought this sensitivity to relationships between people was an aspect in her that a male mountaineer/writer probably would be incapable of conveying... And I was really shocked by her descriptions of the many dead human bodies lying strewn about up there. Something I'd never thought of, but of course there's no way to get them down. An enjoyable read, and a very likable lady! (Although it didn't convince me to take up mountaineering!)
April 8, 2014
This is one of the best books I've read. Talk about inspiration. I've always had an interest in mountain climbing, and this really takes you through what it's like to face the most formidable and unforgiving. Starting from the very begging, Cathy takes you through her entire journey to become the first South African woman to summit Everest, and on to be the first woman to climb from both sides.
From the good feelings of comradery between team mates, to the sorrow of seeing others struggle, this book will take you on a whirl wind of emotions, reaching it's highest during the infamous storm of 2006 (of which Cathy must unfortunately experience), and the aftermath that ensues afterwards.
I've read this book multiple times, I can never put it down once started, it is the epitimy of adventure. Highly recommended.
From the good feelings of comradery between team mates, to the sorrow of seeing others struggle, this book will take you on a whirl wind of emotions, reaching it's highest during the infamous storm of 2006 (of which Cathy must unfortunately experience), and the aftermath that ensues afterwards.
I've read this book multiple times, I can never put it down once started, it is the epitimy of adventure. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2015
3,5 Sterne
Interessant für alle, die sich für Bergsteiger-Literatur interessieren und auch durchaus flüssig lesbar. Allerdings muss ich zugeben, dass man nach der Lektüre von "In eisige Höhen" kaum objektiv an das Buch rangehen kann - ich zumindest nicht. Einmal, weil Krakauer natürlich von Berufs wegen der bessere Schreiber ist und alle folgenden Berg-Bücher sich mit seinem packenden Bericht messen müssen. Und dann kommt hinzu, dass das südafrikanische Team - inklusive Cathy O'Dowd - in Krakauers Schilderung der Ereignisse von 1996 natürlich nicht besonders gut wegkam. Zwar fand ich einige Erklärungen auch aus der gegensätzlichen Perspektive von O'Dowd nachvollziehbar, so richtig warm bin ich aber mit ihr als Person irgendwie nicht geworden.
Interessant für alle, die sich für Bergsteiger-Literatur interessieren und auch durchaus flüssig lesbar. Allerdings muss ich zugeben, dass man nach der Lektüre von "In eisige Höhen" kaum objektiv an das Buch rangehen kann - ich zumindest nicht. Einmal, weil Krakauer natürlich von Berufs wegen der bessere Schreiber ist und alle folgenden Berg-Bücher sich mit seinem packenden Bericht messen müssen. Und dann kommt hinzu, dass das südafrikanische Team - inklusive Cathy O'Dowd - in Krakauers Schilderung der Ereignisse von 1996 natürlich nicht besonders gut wegkam. Zwar fand ich einige Erklärungen auch aus der gegensätzlichen Perspektive von O'Dowd nachvollziehbar, so richtig warm bin ich aber mit ihr als Person irgendwie nicht geworden.
April 6, 2014
This was an interesting story and a mostly enjoyable book. I found that the writing was sometimes confusing to follow, going back and forth between the author's account of her adventures and her emotional responses to them, with very little transition. There was also a lot of rock/mountain-climbing jargon, which made it difficult, at times, to completely understand what she was talking about. Overall, though, reading this story piqued my further interest in Mount Everest, and I would recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews