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Postcards from the Ledge: Collected Mountaineering Writings of Greg Child
1998 Banff Mountain Literature Award Winner
Peeling back the layers to reveal the gritty truth about the elite climbing world is Greg Child's specialty. With clever wit, sharp observations, and insightful reflections, Child's writing covers the full spectrum of the mountaineering experience.
Entertaining even to those who have never been above sea level, Child's stories reveal climbing's other face. His description of the daily habits of mountaineers on expedition (who don't bathe for months) is both disgusting and horrifyingly funny. A post-climb fiasco in the offices of petty Pakistani bureaucrats proves that not all epics take place on high mountain faces. Falling of a rock climb in front of his mother is an exercise in humility.
Child takes up climbing controversy with the same keen insight. His investigation of Tomo Cesen's claimed first ascent of Lhotse's south wall is considered the definitive report on this controversial event. A hard look at the media frenzy around the death of Alison Hargreaves on K2 evolves into a brilliant, impassioned defense of a friend. He also speaks out on the money- and media-driven expeditions that now crowd Everest.
But Child never preaches. Whether contrasting his clumsy performance with Lynn Hill's elegant moves on a climb in the remote mountains of Kyrgyzstan or reflecting upon artifacts (from crucifixes to pink flamingos) that decorate the world's highest peaks, he writes it as he sees it, with a dose of wit. A true insider, Greg Child draws us deep into the world of climbing but never denies its dark side.
Peeling back the layers to reveal the gritty truth about the elite climbing world is Greg Child's specialty. With clever wit, sharp observations, and insightful reflections, Child's writing covers the full spectrum of the mountaineering experience.
Entertaining even to those who have never been above sea level, Child's stories reveal climbing's other face. His description of the daily habits of mountaineers on expedition (who don't bathe for months) is both disgusting and horrifyingly funny. A post-climb fiasco in the offices of petty Pakistani bureaucrats proves that not all epics take place on high mountain faces. Falling of a rock climb in front of his mother is an exercise in humility.
Child takes up climbing controversy with the same keen insight. His investigation of Tomo Cesen's claimed first ascent of Lhotse's south wall is considered the definitive report on this controversial event. A hard look at the media frenzy around the death of Alison Hargreaves on K2 evolves into a brilliant, impassioned defense of a friend. He also speaks out on the money- and media-driven expeditions that now crowd Everest.
But Child never preaches. Whether contrasting his clumsy performance with Lynn Hill's elegant moves on a climb in the remote mountains of Kyrgyzstan or reflecting upon artifacts (from crucifixes to pink flamingos) that decorate the world's highest peaks, he writes it as he sees it, with a dose of wit. A true insider, Greg Child draws us deep into the world of climbing but never denies its dark side.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 17, 2021
A re-read of a beloved book before I give it away.
June 26, 2024
I haven’t read many climbing books, nor have I really climbed, but I thoroughly enjoyed Child’s witty descriptions (and hilarious self depreciation) of alpinism and its characters.
March 7, 2013
One of our guides on a recent trip recommended this book & Greg Child's writing in general. I enjoyed this book. Whilst not the best in the genre, it is well written, entertaining & the variety of topics is enjoyable. I have his other 2 books & will be reading both at some point.
May 5, 2023
This set of essays / short stories was a mixed bag. Some were not great (in my opinion), and others were gripping and entertaining. There are 27 total stories, and I’d recommend 9 of them:
61 Green Card (getting stuck in Pakistan)
74 madmen offering themselves to the brink of disaster (BASE jumping off trango tower)
82 Souls on Ice (girl falling into a crevasse, and the Hollow Men)
100 whatever happened to Luke sky walker? (Crazy man in Yosemite)
114 dawn to dawn on Russian tower with Lynn hill
120 I was a trango love slave
130 masters of understatement
137 gunning for second best
150 burden of proof (controversy of Cesen on Lhostse)
Souls on Ice was my favorite, and also the saddest.
61 Green Card (getting stuck in Pakistan)
74 madmen offering themselves to the brink of disaster (BASE jumping off trango tower)
82 Souls on Ice (girl falling into a crevasse, and the Hollow Men)
100 whatever happened to Luke sky walker? (Crazy man in Yosemite)
114 dawn to dawn on Russian tower with Lynn hill
120 I was a trango love slave
130 masters of understatement
137 gunning for second best
150 burden of proof (controversy of Cesen on Lhostse)
Souls on Ice was my favorite, and also the saddest.
April 29, 2020
A very funny book by Greg Child.
In these amusing vignettes, Mr. Child explores the less glamorous side of mountaineering, far removed from glorious plantings of the flag and hullabaloos of conquest.
Instead, he shows us nitty-gritty scenes such as unwashed climbers bickering on expeditions.
Well written and hilarious, this is a fine book with a zany appraisal of expeditionary climbing.
In these amusing vignettes, Mr. Child explores the less glamorous side of mountaineering, far removed from glorious plantings of the flag and hullabaloos of conquest.
Instead, he shows us nitty-gritty scenes such as unwashed climbers bickering on expeditions.
Well written and hilarious, this is a fine book with a zany appraisal of expeditionary climbing.
October 22, 2017
Loved this collection of essays. Greg Child is a writer who climbs and writes about it with insight, humour and passion. Easily my favourite climbing writer. This collection is accessible and poignant. Child is a talented writer of non-fiction.
March 25, 2008
I was searching Amazon for some Joe Simpson books and this one popped up. I thought it was one I missed but then saw that Simpson wrote the introduction to it. It seemed pretty entertaining so I bought a copy.
Greg Child's Postcards from the Ledge is hilarious and touching and informative at the same time. I couldn't stop laughing after reading the essay about him showing his elderly mum just how "safe" mountaineering is. In the end he hobbled away like the hurt little boy his mom knew him to be. Also hilarious and interesting are the nitty gritty facts about mountaineering, from where and how to use the toilet to stinking to high heaven after being on the mountain for so many weeks.
There are also some good essays about Allison Hargreaves' death and the world's reaction to a mother's "selfish" need to climb mountains.
And many things can be learned about other countries and cultures from the small details of his visits to these places.
I'd recommend this book to any mountaineering fans. I'm glad I bought it for my collection.
Greg Child's Postcards from the Ledge is hilarious and touching and informative at the same time. I couldn't stop laughing after reading the essay about him showing his elderly mum just how "safe" mountaineering is. In the end he hobbled away like the hurt little boy his mom knew him to be. Also hilarious and interesting are the nitty gritty facts about mountaineering, from where and how to use the toilet to stinking to high heaven after being on the mountain for so many weeks.
There are also some good essays about Allison Hargreaves' death and the world's reaction to a mother's "selfish" need to climb mountains.
And many things can be learned about other countries and cultures from the small details of his visits to these places.
I'd recommend this book to any mountaineering fans. I'm glad I bought it for my collection.
December 18, 2011
A collection of mountaineering writings by a well-known summiter, from his own exploits and injuries to the colorful stories of others. It's quite interesting stuff, especially when Child takes stances, such as his assessment of Tomo Cesen's alleged climb of Lhotse, or Lydia Bradey's disputed ascent of Everest. Child is also enjoyable when he "mouths off" about rude climbers, theft, and the pure arrogance of amateurs who must be rescued. A well-written look into the climber's mind.
November 24, 2015
Overall, the book is pretty good, but doesn't stand up to Childs' other works. The part that really shines is the last third of the book: the essays on Lydia Bradey and Tomo Cesen and their disputed climbs, and the essays on the media portrayal of Alison Hargreaves after her death.
November 7, 2014
Since it's just a collection of stories instead of a drawn out biography you can't just pick it up and read it cover to cover. That cuts both ways though. It's very entertaining and a perfect book for when you only have short reading sessions at a time.
November 20, 2008
Love this book!
Great stories from a great guy ...Greg Child - rock climber/mountaineer. first multi pitch climb was with Greg Child in the Gunks NY.
Great stories from a great guy ...Greg Child - rock climber/mountaineer. first multi pitch climb was with Greg Child in the Gunks NY.
July 6, 2013
Good mountaineering book with nicely understated humor. The author doesn't hesitate to pull back and touch on serious subjects, especially when discussing Everest expedition issues.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews