Play Book Tag discussion

K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain (non-fiction) by Ed Viesturs and David Roberts - 4 stars

PBT Comments: I read quite a bit about mountaineering. This is one of the best I've read about K2.

Ed Viesturs is an accomplished high-altitude mountaineer who has summited all fourteen of the world’s peaks over 8000 meters. K2, the world’s second highest peak at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet), is located in the Korakoram Range of northern Pakistan. It is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks to climb. This book not only tells of Viesturs’ ascent of K2 in 1992, but also recounts the history of six other K2 expeditions up to 2009, including an assessment of successes, catastrophes, and controversies. It gives the reader a good idea of what it would have been like to be part of such an expedition. It provides an interesting look at the improvements in climbing materials and the evolution of climbing strategies over the years. A couple of the more riveting sections include an account of the avalanche that sent Viesturs and climbing partner Scott Fisher plummeting down the mountain, and the analysis of the 2008 tragedy that resulted in the deaths of eleven climbers.

Viesturs expresses pointed opinions about his philosophy of climbing as well as what may have gone wrong in expeditions that resulted in tragedy. He concentrates on lessons that can be applied to high altitude climbing, with an emphasis on getting back safely. He illustrates the value of weighing risks, relying on instincts, showing loyalty to the team, leading from the front, and taking prompt action to save others in distress. He takes exception to some of the analyses provided by the press and other “armchair adventurers” and backs up his opinions drawing on a mix of logic, common sense, and experience. The narrative moves between materials written by others and Viesturs’ own experiences, weaving them together to make his points.

It assumes the reader already possesses at least a rudimentary knowledge of climbing terminology. Recommended to those interested in the history of mountaineering, active climbers who want to learn from the experiences of others, or fans of extreme adventures.


Link to My GR Review

Thanks for this! I am not likely to read it, but still remember the days when my middle daughter had decided that she and I were going to climb the 7 peaks. I knew that would never, ever happen for me, and even though she's more of a physical adventurer than I was, she's not an extreme climber.

Have you every climbed any mountain that is really tall or really difficult?

Karin wrote: "Have you every climbed any mountain that is really tall or really difficult? ..."

I am not a mountaineer. I live near the Sierra Nevada and go hiking in the mountains on a regular basis, but I've never done anything like what is described in these type books. I think that's one of the reasons I enjoy them so much.

I also really liked this when I read it.

Joy D wrote: "Karin wrote: "Have you every climbed any mountain that is really tall or really difficult? ..."

I am not a mountaineer. I live near the Sierra Nevada and go hiking in the mountains on a regular ba..."

That makes sense.

I grew up mainly in BC, which is virtually all mountains and valleys, and I learned to ski at Alpine Meadow, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevadas! My dad did 3 years in California at two different times, and a colleague of his owned a cabin there, so the housing was free.

I used to regular hiking, which I like, but I am NOT a fan of backpacking (did that on one trip once but in the Capitan Mountains).