The Climb

This is one of the most gripping stories i have heard or read.
I first read the book Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer of how this tragedy happeded, once finished i felt that the russian climber Anatoli Bourkreev seemed to not have done is job properly and was possibly to blame for a number of the eight deaths that happened that day. The worst day in Everest history. so when i found that The Climb had been written I had to know more. I am glad that i did, I belive that the climb gives a much more balanced account of what happed. Anatoli Bourkreev was an incredbly brave and strong man. There are a number of witness reports in the story to prove this, whilst Krakauers book is based on assumptions and his thoughts of what happened, Bourkreev had even helped him durring those terrible few hours He seems to have a real axe to grind. Why not listen to both and see what you think.

Gripping and suspenseful, the story of the tragic 1996 Everest disaster that cost many people their lives as told from the point of view of one of the guides from the Mountain Madness team who survived. To note that Anatoli Boukreev is one of the best high altitude climbers of his day and his story provides an expert's insight into what happened and also commentary on the risky sport of climbing the world's tallest peaks. This story is told in part as an answer to John Krakauer's version of the event in Into Thin Air, it fills in details that Krakauer failed to or didn't wish to present in his book. It also goes beyond the just telling of the fateful Everest disaster but also tells of Anatoli's return trek to the mountain afterward. It is a fascinating listen!

A great book demonstrating the best of humanity and possibly the worst of humanity. The instinct for personal survival against the instinct to help others survive...or overriding commitment to the people you are responsible for. Definitely worth reading.