Five of the Best Books on Climbing Everest
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Into thin Air is probably the most famous Everest book of the last thirty years, there are probably two reasons for this apart from being masterfully written by Krakauer. Firstly, the timing of the book and the initial reason Krauker was on Everest as a journalist to write an article for Outside magazine, to document the commercialisation of Everest and the new but exponentially growing business of high altitude guiding. To write his article Krauker was a client – although with a significant discount – of Adventure Consultants, who were led by Rob Hall and became the premium guiding company on Everest. Krauker details how guiding had evolved to make climbing Everest possible for mere mortals and explains the friendly rivalry between Hall and Scott Fischer who led Mountain Madness guide company. The tragic events which unfold as Adventure Consultants and Mountain Madness expeditions make their summit pushes is the second reason this book is such a riveting read. Krakauer appears balanced in his description of the events and his apportion of blame, he is open about his own role in the disaster and struggles in the aftermath once back in the United States. The book inspires and horrifies in equal measure and will inevitably leave the reader thinking ‘what if’. While Krakauer’s book has been vouched for as an accurate account of events by many of the main protagonists who survived it was partly disputed by Mountain Madness’ senior guide, Anatoli Boukreev in his book The Climb.
The Third Pole by Mark Synnott
Mark Synnott is a rock climber and author with over twenty years experience travelling the world exploring new places to rock climb. After initially being sceptical about climbing Everest, Synnott throws himself into a project to climb the world's tallest mountain in search of a missing camera. The importance of this camera is that it may hold evidence to support the claim that George Mallory and Sandy Irvine climbed everest in 1924 almost 30 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Synnott's investigation takes him from the New England to the Himalaya via the United Kingdom for reasearch on the Mallory and Irvie expedition. the third pole is well crafted intertwining Synnott's own Everest expedition, the retelling of Mallory and Irvine's adventures with unique insights and the season that 'Everest broke'. This is Synnott's second book following his first, Impossible Climb, which documented the extraordinary free solo by Alex Honnold up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Up by Ben Fogle
Ben Fogle's book "Up: My Life’s Journey to the Top of Everest" is a gripping and inspiring memoir that chronicles his journey to the top of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. The book is not just about the physical challenges of climbing a mountain but also about the emotional and mental challenges that come with it. Fogle describes his preparation for the climb, including his physical training, his mental preparation, and his equipment. He also shares the struggles he faced during the climb, such as altitude sickness, extreme weather conditions, and the loss of fellow climbers. In addition to his own experience, Fogle also provides insight into the history of Everest climbing and the cultural significance of the mountain to the people of Nepal. He highlights the challenges faced by the Sherpa community, who have played a crucial role in supporting climbers on Everest for decades. Throughout the book, Fogle also shares personal anecdotes and insights that add depth and personality to his narrative. He reflects on his own motivations for climbing Everest, the impact of the climb on his family, and the lessons he learned about perseverance, resilience, and the importance of teamwork. Overall, "Up" is an engaging and thought-provoking account of one man's journey to the top of the world and the lessons he learned along the way.
Seven Steps from Snowdon to Everest by Mark Horrell
One of the refrains you most often hear regarding Everest is that it is overrun with amatuers who shouldn't be attempting to climb to the roof of the planet. The impression given by mountaineering professionals is that Everest is awash with people that haven't paid their dues on less peaks while building up all the relevant skills for high altiturde mountaineering. This is why Seven Steps from Snowdon to Everest by Horrell is such an entertaining read, it details a weekend Hill Walkers progression from Snowdon walks with family to an Everest expedition. Horrell details his adventures from trekking in Nepal to Mount Kilimanjaro in a amusing self-deprecating style while also giving enjoyable insights into characters he met on his journey to the highest peak in the world. Horrell is in fact so humble and honest about his own athletic abilities by the time you are about half way through the book you will almost certainly think you can make the same trekking to mountaineering progression.
High Adventure by Sir Edmund Hillary
"High Adventure" by Sir Edmund Hillary is a thrilling memoir that documents his experiences as a mountaineer and adventurer. The book covers Hillary's expeditions to the Himalayas, including his historic ascent of Mount Everest, as well as his journeys to Antarctica and the South Pole. The book provides a fascinating insight into the physical and mental challenges of mountaineering, as well as the importance of teamwork and perseverance. Hillary shares his experiences of dealing with extreme weather conditions, navigating treacherous terrain, and the risks involved in high altitude mountaineering. Hillary also reflects on his relationships with his fellow climbers, including his lifelong friendship with Tenzing Norgay, with whom he made the first successful ascent of Everest. He provides a glimpse into the cultural significance of Everest to the people of Nepal and the Sherpa community. In addition to his mountaineering adventures, Hillary also discusses his explorations of the South Pole, including his involvement in the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. He describes the harsh conditions he faced, the importance of preparation and planning, and the thrill of discovery. Overall, "High Adventure" is an inspiring and engaging read that captures the spirit of adventure and the human drive to explore and push the boundaries of what is possible.