No Latitude For Error

by Sir Edmund Hillary

It was his enthusiasm for polar exploration that made him plan and train the New Zealand expedition with the greatest efficiency, so that all his vital tasks were completed ahead of schedule. And then, with the surveying, mapping and geologising well in hand and one more depot that Fuchs had asked for well established and stocked, with the tractor drivers trained in crevasse-crossing and in navigating in white-outs, what else was there left for Hillary to do but lead his train of four men in three farm tractors and their attendant sledges on a "reconnaissance" dash for the Pole?
They all seem to have enjoyed the day to day fight against the elements, responding magnificently to Hillary's undoubted dash and drive and sheer dogged will-power.

Genres: Travel

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read in Hillary's style. This isn't the first Trans-Antarctic Crossing book I have read, but it is certainly the most up-beat about the aftermath, where the media played up a significant rift in the relationship of Hillary and Fuchs after Hillary decided to proceed on to the South Pole rather than wait at the last depot for several weeks for Fuchs to arrive.
Doubtlessly it was the correct decision, and in this book Hillary plays down any fallout.
Interestingly, immediately after i read this book I read The Crossing of Antarctica: Original Photographs from the Epic Journey That Fulfilled Shackleton's Dream by George Lowe, and in that book, written by multiple contributors with various viewpoints, Peter Fuchs (Bunny's son) wrote: "Though the world's press whipping up a frenzy about a supposed 'race', the two leaders were proud of each others achievements." P29

Excellent stars, rounded down.