Everest: High Expectations
-
-
4.8 • 26 Ratings
-
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
This richly illustrated adventure book tells the gripping story of two Canadian climbing expeditions that captured the attention of the mountaineering world in 1982 and 1986 — written by two climbers who reached Everest’s summit in distinctly different ways.
Combining a powerful yet intimately told story with 150 colour photos, maps, archival video and audio recordings, “Everest: High Expectations” sets a new standard for illustrated ebooks as it chronicles both Canadian expeditions’ quest to put a new route up the world’s highest peak.
In 1982, a team of Canada’s best climbers confidently trekked to Everest through Nepal’s post monsoon rains. Within a month, four people were dead and half the climbers had returned home. The much-diminished team salvaged the expedition by putting six climbers on the summit via the traditional South Col route but its mission was incomplete.
Four years later, a second team returned to make mountaineering history. Not only did the 1986 Canadian Everest Light Expedition establish a new route on Everest without Sherpa support, but it also put the first North American woman on top. Despite several subsequent attempts, that route (via Tibet) has never been repeated.
This book, co-written by international adventure photojournalist Pat Morrow and alpine guide Sharon Wood, provides a fascinating insiders’ look at an era when climbing with style was more important than “peak bagging” and Everest was only approached after a long mountain-climbing apprenticeship.
“High Expectations” delivers classic high-altitude drama — a near miss in a massive avalanche, speedy alpine-style ascents from the South Col to summit, a risky nighttime descent of the Hornbein Couloir, a fiery gas explosion in a tent and weeks battling jet stream winds in an atmosphere starved of oxygen.
Both authors make candid observations on how their lives were affected by the Everest experience and offer frank assessments of the change in attitude today toward Everest and climbing standards.
This multimedia Everest book marks the 30th anniversary of Morrow’s summit. It is truly a classic.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In Everest: High Expectations, a pair of Canadian climbers chronicle their groundbreaking ascents in the ’80s, but the unforgiving mountain itself is the central character of this dynamic multimedia narrative. The book’s opening half, by the photographer and videographer of the first Canadian team to successfully scale the peak, is enhanced with recordings of radio conversations and spectacular photographs (culled from more than 26,000 shots). The second account, written by the first North American woman to reach the top, also features excellent photos, maps, and video footage from the expedition. Although both authors offer gripping descriptions, the sounds and sights of this multimedia adventure grant readers an immersive trip to the top of the world.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic
You can almost feel yourself up on the mountains and in the cold with Pat. A wonderful photographer, I read the story in one sitting, a great iBook. An amazing story from a real mountaineer.
Amazing
Just saw Pat and Sharron talk in Victoria and really enjoyed their perspective on everest. The book is a must have for any everest junkie!
Everest: High Expectations
"Everest: High Expectations" sets a new standard in books about expeditions, climbing and otherwise. It demonstrates the potential of ebooks to bring stories to life, with absorbing stories in text, stunning full-screen photos, and video and audio that put you "on location".
Pat Morrow writes of tragedy, dissension and ultimately of triumph. Sharon Wood writes of her growing doubts, as she goes ever higher in blizzard conditions, about her ability to make it, and being spurred on by her climbing partner. Together these two accounts give an inspiring and insightful look into the world of high altitude climbing by "fair means". They conclude with a look at Everest today, and how it has become choked with clients of adventure companies, many who have never climbed before and who shouldn't be on the mountain.
A must both for climbers and armchair adventurers who are looking for inspiration and a gripping read.