Mountain My Time on Everest

VETERAN WORLD-CLASS CLIMBER and bestselling author Ed Viesturs — the only American to have climbed all fourteen of the world's 8,000-meter peaks and the sixth person to do so without supplemental oxygen — trains his sights on Mount Everest, the highest peak on earth, in richly detailed accounts of expeditions that are by turns personal, harrowing, deadly, and inspiring.

The world's most famous mountain, Everest remains for serious high-altitude climbers the ultimate goal. Viesturs has gone on eleven expeditions to Everest, reaching the summit seven times. He's spent more than two years of his life on the mountain. No climber today is better poised to survey Everest's various ascents — both personal and historic. In The Mountain, Viesturs delivers just that: riveting you-are-there accounts of his own climbs as well as vivid narratives of some of the more famous and infamous climbs throughout the last century, when the honor of nations often hung in the balance, depending on which climbers summited first. In addition to his own experiences, Viesturs sheds light on the fate of Mallory and Irvine, whose 1924 disappearance just 800 feet from the top remains one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries, and on the multiply tragic last days of Rob Hall and Scott Fischer in 1996, the stuff of which Into Thin Air was made.

Informed by the experience of one who has truly been there, The Mountain affords a rare glimpse into that place on earth where Heraclitus's maxim — character is destiny — is proved time and again. Complete with gorgeous photos of Everest, many of which were taken by Viesturs himself, and shots taken on some of the legendary historic climbs, The Mountain is an immensely appealing book for active and armchair climbers alike.

andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; "A detailed, nicely told account of a man's endurance and perseverance in achieving a singular goal."

"Viesturs and Roberts have written an exhaustively researched and wonderfully compelling history of the most fascinating and dangerous of the Himalayan giants."

"The Will to Climb captures the essence and spirit of the great sport of mountaineering... For anyone who loves the outdoors and for those who admire the will of mankind, this book is a must-read."

"An American master of the climb...Viesturs's you-are-there narration communicates effortlessly the enormous effort, and high adventure, of scaling K2."

"Magic...[An] outstanding piece of nonfiction."

"A compelling story of dedication, desperation, danger, derring-do, and devotion (physical and spiritual). Fans of extreme-sport books, especially tales of high adventure, will want to add this one to their collections."

"Ed Viesturs was an inspiration to me personally and to the Seahawks team in 2005. I highly recommend reading this account of one of America's heroes."

"From the drama of the peaks, to the struggle of making a living as a professional climber, to the basic how-tos of life at 26,000 feet, No Shortcuts to the Top is fascinating reading."

"Ed Viesturs--the first American to climb all fourteen 8,000 meter peaks without bottled oxygen--is an animal. A human animal blessed with enormous strength balanced by intelligence, honesty, and a heart of gold. And besides, HE IS A NICE GUY. This is a great read for those of us who climb, those who want to learn to climb and live to tell about it, and those who like great adventures."

"From his earliest climbs on the peaks of the Pacific Northwest to his final climb up the Himalayan mountain of Annapurna, Viesturs offers testimony to the sacrifices (personal and professional) in giving your life over to a dream, as well as the thrill of seeing it through."

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"Ed Viesturs is not merely one of our strongest mountaineers; he's also one of the most remarkable. He's demonstrated that it's possible to climb the world's highest peaks without taking reckless chances, and without sacrificing one's honor or integrity. He has never hesitated to help other climbers in need, even when it meant putting himself in danger or sacrificing his own opportunity to achieve a summit. Ed, simply put, is a genuine American hero."

In national bestseller The Mountain, world-renowned climber and bestselling author Ed Viesturs and cowriter David Roberts paint a vivid portrait of obsession, dedication, and human achievement in a true love letter to the world s highest peak.
In The Mountain, veteran world-class climber and bestselling author Ed Viesturs the only American to have climbed all fourteen of the world s 8,000-meter peaks trains his sights on Mount Everest in richly detailed accounts of expeditions that are by turns personal, harrowing, deadly, and inspiring.
The highest mountain on earth, Everest remains the ultimate goal for serious high-altitude climbers. Viesturs has gone on eleven expeditions to Everest, spending more than two years of his life on the mountain and reaching the summit seven times. No climber today is better poised to survey Everest s various ascents both personal and historic. Viesturs sheds light on the fate of Mallory and Irvine, whose 1924 disappearance just 800 feet from the summit remains one of mountaineering s greatest mysteries, as well as the multiple tragic last days of Rob Hall and Scott Fischer in 1996, the stuff of which Into Thin Air was made.
Informed by the experience of one who has truly been there, The Mountain affords a rare glimpse into that place on earth where Heraclitus s maxim Character is destiny is proved time and again."

Veteran world-class climber and bestselling author Ed Viesturs — the only American to have climbed all fourteen of the world's 8,000-meter peaks, and only the sixth man to do so without supplemental oxygen — trains his sights on Mount Everest, the highest peak on earth, in richly detailed accounts of expeditions that are by turns personal, harrowing, deadly, and inspiring.

The world's most famous mountain, Everest remains for serious high-altitude climbers an ultimate goal.

Ed Viesturs is widely regarded as America's foremost high-altitude mountaineer. In 1992 he was awarded the American Alpine Club's David A. Sowles Award for his participation in two rescues on K2. He is also the recipient of the Explorers Club's Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding achievement in the field of mountaineering. He lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with his wife and their children.

David Roberts is the author of twenty-four books on mountaineering, adventure, and the history of the American Southwest. His essays and articles have appeared in National Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, and The Atlantic Monthly, among other publications. He lives in Watertown, Massachusetts.