Halfway to Heaven: My White-knuckled--and Knuckleheaded--Quest for the Rocky Mountain High

by Mark Obmascik

Fat, forty-four, father of three sons, and facing a vasectomy, Mark Obmascik would never have guessed that his next move would be up a 14,000-foot mountain. But when his twelve-year-old son gets bitten by the climbing bug at summer camp, Obmascik can’t resist the opportunity for some high-altitude father-son bonding by hiking a peak together. After their first joint climb, Obmascik, addled by the thin air, decides to keep his head in the clouds and try to scale all fifty-four of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains, known as the Fourteeners—and to do it in less than one year. The result is Halfway to Heaven, a rollicking, witty, sometimes harrowing chronicle of an outrageous adventure that is no walk in the park. This "hilarious midlife picaresque" ( Publishers Weekly ) has garnered wide critical acclaim, was named an "Editor’s Pick" by Parade, won the 2009 National Outdoor Book Award for Outdoor Literature, and made one reviewer laugh so hard he "blew beer out of [his] nose" ( Colorado Daily ). Like the author’s critically acclaimed debut, The Big Year, it brings a keen eye and sharp humor to an obsessive climbers who share the author’s crazed passion of scaling all fifty-four of the famed and feared Fourteeners.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Memoir, Mountaineering, Outdoors, Travel, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2009

About the author

Mark Obmascik is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author of The Big Year, which was made into a movie with the same name. He won the 2009 National Outdoor Book Award for outdoor literature, the 2003 National Press Club Award for environmental journalism, and was the lead writer for the Denver Post team that won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize. His freelance stories have been published in Outdoor and other magazines. He lives in Denver with his wife and sons.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walking to the park with the kids, I notice for the first time that some homes along the block have bricks that can be climbed like a rock wall. At the playground, instead of chasing my kids up the stairs of a jungle gym, I scramble up the slide. Some kid loses a Frisbee up a Ponderosa pine, and I climb up after it. What's a ten-foot branch when I've stared down an eight-hundred-foot couloir?

Two decades of cozy domesticity have been very kind to Mark Obmascik. He has a nice home in the Denver suburbs, three sons, and a remarkably patient wife. He also has forty extra pounds, and he's lost half his hair. He's ready for a change. A freak accident brings him back into Colorado's high country, and once he gets high above treeline, he has a hard time coming down.

For one summer, he trades his local slippery slide for Colorado's icy 14,000 foot summits. With luck, he will climb all fifty-four. His greatest obstacle isn't the altitude, or the weather, or the rigor of the climb. Rather, it's his wife's reasonable demand that he always climb with a partner. Where's he to find another man his age able, and willing, to scale 150,000 feet in three months?

Obmascik turns to on-line bulletin boards to meet climbing partners. These 'man-dates,' as he calls them, add plenty of color to the story and give Obmascik a chance to waddle through some typical midlife ruminations on the passage of time, loss of virility, and anxiety about keeping up. And they give him a chance to share a lot of outdoorsy humor, that predictably ends with poop in the punch line.

It's hard to get up all fifty-some peaks in a summer, and it's harder still to stitch all fifty trip reports into a cohesive story. Bits of history, biography's of of the 'man-dates,' and jokes conjured up from Obmascik's days as a reporter with the Denver Post make for some slick but tenuous links between the details of the actual climbing. A few chapters could have been left in the family archives.

In spite of the padding and the book's stale title, Halfway to Heaven (2009) is a quick and entertaining read. I breezed through it in a day. And now that I've watched a few Go-Pro videos of the peaks Obmascik climbed, I'm digging around in the closest again for my ice axe and crampons.

[David Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun introduction to Colorado mountaineering with what basically amounts to an outsider's perspective. Although the author ends up climbing all of Colorado's highest mountains during the course of the narrative, he presents himself as a novice and avoids the heavy machismo that many serious climbers seem to have. The book strikes a nice balance between describing the author's many hiking expeditions and delving into Colorado history, politics, and local color. I have lived in Colorado for about 15 years and have climbed 22 of the Colorado Fourteeners myself, so was very interested in hearing about someone else's experiences with mountains that I have been on as well. Obmascik takes some foolish chances and ignores many safety guidelines, but by the end of his journey he seems a bit smarter about things. I appreciated the inspirational message about following your dreams, challenging yourself to pursue new goals as you age, and approaching each difficulty one step at a time.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

hiker Bob was starting, and enjoying, this while visiting for TRT with my dad
also I've enjoyed, iirc, the author before
---
Ok done. Hm. I doubt that the author was actually "fat" compared to most readers. And I really don't know why he felt the need to hit all the peaks (except the ones he'd done before) in one summer. Or why he had so much trouble finding companions (maybe because he asked so many personal questions from people who value being alone with nature?). But I did find this an entertaining read. And there's a bibliography for those who feel inspired to hit some peaks themselves.

If I could vote for Teddy Keizer I would. He got his Ivy League education, and then he spent time learning how the working class lives by, gasp, actually *working*. How many others born on third base do that?

Oh, and speaking of personal questions. Obmascik noted that above 12,000 feet is the "true confessions zone" which apparently prompts sharing, perhaps oversharing, even among men who don't actually know each other.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After his son climbed one of the 14,000 foot peaks in the Colorado Rockies, Mark Obmascik remembered the climbs he accomplished when he was younger. At midlife, he decided to finish climbing all 54 of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks. The result is this humorous, poignant, gripping and uplifting account of his adventures climbing with his "man-dates", and his realization that ultimately it's the experience and the journey, not the summiting that matter most. As an added bonus Obmascik provides fascinating historical details about the Colorado mountains. A great read both for adults and older teens.

[Karen Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For man who's conquered all of Colorado's fourteeners Obmascik doesn't ever come across as a confident hiker/climber which helps keep the story interesting. What mishap will take place next? He includes some history of the mountains and the professions and foibles of various climbing partners, again interesting. It's not all fun and games as some of the climbing takes place in wintery, blustery conditions. Kudos to his wife for making him promise not to hike alone.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Obmascik portraits himself as a novice as he embarks on his quest to climb all of the Colorado's highest mountains. With his 14ers portfolio expanding he gains both experience and confidence. Yet at the end of his journey he is still the same down to earth guy, a father of three and a husband who simply enjoys spending time with his family. There is no braggery, no macho comments found in his book which are so common in work of other outdoor adventure authors. Extra thumbs up here.

The book is about climbing mountains but in fact there is a little about each of the climbs. If you are looking for a guide to the 14ners, look elsewhere. What you find on pages of Halfway to Heaven are short stories about the climbs with many facts from Colorado's history and a slew of interesting characters, all in well balanced, humorous narrative.

As an avid hikers and mountain climber I also appreciated the book's serious side. Obmascik is not shy to point out the mountains can be an unforgiving and a dangerous place and through variety of true stories of accidents and death he stressed how important it is to climb responsibly and stay alert at all times. I really liked that.

[Kellun Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although somewhat annoyed by the flippant style of writing at the beginning of this non-fiction book, I have to say that once past the first chapter I was hooked and loved reading it, loved his vivid descriptions of what it's like to climb >14,000 ft mountains, appreciated reading about the histories behind many of these peaks and the people who have climbed them. I've only climbed two of them myself but it makes you want to get out there again and try, try, try. It's a challenge to find other people to hike with because friend's lives are often on different trajectories...it was an eye-opener for me to discover that men have this same problem. What a hard-to-describe emotional high to stand (or sit, or lay down) on the summit of those majestic mountains. I do enjoy Mark Obmascik's style of writing and smile a lot while reading his books. This is an EASY book to read and it may just grab you and head you to Colorado, or your nearest mountain!

[Terzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book--describing the author's effort to climb all of Colorado's peaks over 14,000 feet--was a great vacation book and a lot of fun. I read it while my family was staying in the mountains near Keystone, and amid my reading bad weather foiled our own plan to hike a "Fourteener" called Quandary Peak. Obmascik is funny (as when he describes making blind "man-dates" with strangers because his wife requires climbing partners), thorough (as when he recounts the history surrounding various mountains and their would-be human conquerers) and compassionate (as when telling the stories of the characters he encounters). Anyone who loves the outdoors in Colorado should read this book.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much that I kept reading smaller and smaller portions, hoping to prolong the experience. Obmascik tells the tale of being "fat, forty-four, father of three sons, and facing a vasectomy" when an event in his life made him decide to summit all of Colorado's 14ers in one year. His descriptions of the trips are harrowing at times and he intersperses them with enough snippets of information that it never becomes just a long-winded travelogue. Although I've hiked one 14er, I'm no longer interested in trying them all, or even most of them, after this book: the stories of rotten rock and steep drop-offs have cured me of that.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Obmascik's book. The writing was similar to Bryson's Walk in the Woods, but since it was set pretty much in my own backyard, I couldn't help but enjoy it a little more.

Obmascik does a good job of giving very interesting background information on the mountains and their histories. Additionally, I enjoyed the brief explanations of some mountaineering techniques that he learned and used.

Overall, I thought Halfway to Heaven was a solid read. If you're into hiking/climbing, want to read more about those, or just want to get a chuckle, then you might want to give this book a chance.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscent of A Walk in the Woods, this is an amusing but eye-opening book about a 40-ish writer who sets out to summit all the Colorado 14ers. On the one hand, Obmascik shows that it is possible to accomplish even if one is not an Olympic athlete. On the other hand, he never lets the reader forget that climbing these mountains is not only difficult but dangerous, even life-threatening. A fast, easy, fun read, that has given me perspective on whatever thoughts I have had about climbing mountains in Colorado.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and poignant memoir of the author's campaign to climb all of Colorado's "14ers"; all the mountains in the state that are 14,000 feet high or higher. We go along on the journey of an out-of-shape, middle-aged man who decides to take on the challenge one summer.

I really enjoyed this book and have read it twice. Most of the mountains are hikeable, so there's not a lot of technical climbing, but there are moments when the author is in some danger. If you enjoy mountaineering books, you'll like this one. Oh and did I mention it's FUNNY! A great read.

[Jerry Fultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

I was glad to see this wasn't a step-by-agonizing-step extended trip report. The author does a great job of pulling together the personalities, stories, angst, pain and joy that accompanies the 14'er experience.

I've completed 20 of the 14'ers & not really sure if I have any more in me. The book brought back many memories & has me thinking I may just be up for another.

[William Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a Colorado 14er fan and this is a good read for those like me. The author writes with wit and makes each chapter a joy. The overall structure of trying to pack in 54 peaks and affiliated stories is a bit hard to to put into logical flow but the historic and annectodal stories are interesting and insightful. Good read for any hiking fan.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book. Just not one of those that makes you say "That was a really good book." It was well written, comical at times. I had no idea what all goes into hiking 'fourteeners' so, it was a good look into that whole experience. Also, the background/history about some of the towns and mountains was interesting.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a mountain climber, or even much of a hiker but I loved this book. It is the story of a newspaper reporters quest to climb Colorado's 14ers. He tells his hiking stories along with the history of the mountains and their namesakes as wells as the geology of the Rocky Mountains.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. Obmascik is very engaging and relatable. I love the way he incorporated Colorado history and 14er trivia into the storytelling. If you weren't in love with Colorado's highest mountains before, you will be after reading this book.

[John Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you don't climb 14ers or you've climbed them all, Obmascik has some interesting stories to offer any reader.

[Makayla Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lets just say I am motivated to go climb all of the Colorado 14ers now!!! Obmascik doesn't just write about his journey of completing all of the 14ers in Colorado, he does so by including fascinating history about the mountains, edging stories from his experiences, and background into his hiking partners. Each chapter keeps you engaged and intrigued by the stories and craving to keep reading more. If there were one thing I wish was included more would be to have learned more about the technicalities of the hikes, but I guess that's what guide books are for! I began reading this book expecting to learn about his experience and what to do and not do on the specific mountains. However, instead I was captured by the history of the mountains and believe I will remember the less known stories of other hikers experiences that happened on those peeks more. It amazed me to connect real life people and their everyday stories to these mountains that are climbed in my own home state. I would highly recommend this read!

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like, wow! This dude takes a notion--all mixed up with middle age crazy and other feelings of inadequacy and boredom and stuff--and sets out to climb all the Colorado Fourteeners. There are 58 named mountains exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation.

As they say on the web page https://www.14ers.com
No 14er is "Easy" so when you hear this word when discussing 14ers, it simply means the peaks which are the least difficult to hike. Every peak is different and some have trails from bottom to top. Those are the easier peaks. Then there are peaks without a trail or require specific climbing skills to reach the summit. Those peaks are much more difficult and thus more dangerous. Don't jump into the 14ers by starting with the more difficult peaks.

So he didn't. I think he started out with walk-able mountains only, but soon ran out of them and went on to some pretty serious climbing. Awesomely serious. So I say, wow!

A lot of fun to read, too. And pretty scary at times.

[Bill Leach · Rating 2 out of 5]

A humorous story of the author's journey to climb the Colorado 14,000 foot peaks. Being new to the outdoors and unfit, the trips are often trying and mishap ridden. However, the author makes light of it all.

Based on the author's experiences but also his stories of other climbers, one can't help but to be surprised at how ill prepared many are for dealing with the snow and ice which appears to be common on these high peaks. Only after a few mishaps does the author acquire crampons and an ice axe, but subsequent events show that he has not learned how to use them. While I'm sure there are many trained and experienced climbers doing these peaks, they don't show well in his book.

Many go to the mountains to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains. No notion of aesthetics comes out in this book.

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was entertaining, informative and, at times, pretty amusing. I enjoyed the descriptions the author uses with regards to the lay of the land when climbing mountains and his stories about his family are fun too. As I have noted in my previous reviews, I really enjoy books that tell a great story while also educating the reader about a particular topic. I have never been to Colorado and can't say that I would ever try to summit a Fourteener, but this book gave me a good idea of what that might be like. And, I appreciated getting a good understanding of the climbing world and what drives people to summit such high peaks.

[David Przybylinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I started this book and put it down. The first time I started it I was planning to hike 14ers in Colorado. I went on a trip to climb Mt Elbert and year one it rained and I want able to do it. I did do it the following year and it was amazing. I put the book on the shelf and finally picked it up again as I have a new interest at 52 of doing more of the mountains as my kids are getting to the right age.

I really enjoyed Marks experience with his kid and ending up going off to do them with his wife putting specific conditions. It’s great read and I would really recommend people who want to climb in CO should read it.

[Jake Bodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great memoir style book, that details Mark's own fun and challenging experiences while attempting to tally climbing all 58 Colorado 14ers (mountains with peaks above 14,000 feet).

It is a great and fun read, exposes a subculture that many of us are not aware of, and depicts life's basic challenges through his real-world goal of adding himself to the list of people who have summited all 58 14ers.

Oh, by the way, my Dad is the subject of one of the chapters (Bulldog), a crusty old 'Moses-like' character Mark and his friends cross paths with (literally) while climbing.

[Beran Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun account of a middle-aged dad climbing all the fourteeners in Colorado. It’s an enjoyable read, with lively anecdotes and some history of the mountains sprinkled in.

The only disappointment for me was that going into the book (due to the description) I expected this to be a father and son duo completing the peaks and bonding together over the experience, which I expected to be a good mix of adventurous and touching. Apparently I was wrong. The son only joined for two of the climbs. Not that it ruins the book or anything, but it’s worth noting.

[Tim Schwamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, overall, but the endless line of harrowing adventures on the mountains (some ending catastrophically) did not motivate me to climb more fourteeners -- quite the opposite. On the positive side, I feel like, while I may have gotten Oklahoma History on my HS transcript, I audited Colorado History by reading this book. I learned all kinds of things about the mountains and the towns around them and settler claims, along with the quaint story of seeing a regular guy work toward a goal and achieve it (even if at the expense of common sense in many cases).

[Sergei Bobyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't let the cover fool you - it's not about climbing, it's about hiking.
Having said that, it's mostly an easy and enjoyable read that does have few compelling stories of others (mostly tragic).
Unfortunately, author tries too hard to be funny; also, descriptions of his own climbs become repetitive.
By the end of the book my interest was plunging and I had to force myself to finish the last few chapters.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Life and death are not far away on any Fourteener."
History and facts about each mountain made for an interesting read, and the author's personal experiences on each were entertaining. There were a fair number of scary or sad stories mixed in, though, which made me think I'd rather just read about the more dangerous aspects of climbing.
All in all, this book will go on my list to recommend to others. I've already thought of several friends who might enjoy it!

[Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Probably would have gotten more out of the history if I was more personally acquainted with these mountains/this region of the country
- Little bit sexist in his banter with others throughout the book, so just know that's coming
- Interesting/compelling/vivid stories of summiting
- Makes you want to go try for yourself

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps because I am (almost) 44 and fat, and climbed my second fourteener this summer, I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, and Mark was a humble yet accomplished narrator. I have never really understood fourteener fever, but this book taught me a lot about the mountains themselves and those who are driven to climb them. Highly recommended!