• Dark Summit

  • The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season
  • By: Nick Heil
  • Narrated by: David Drummond
  • Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (827 ratings)

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Dark Summit  By  cover art

Dark Summit

By: Nick Heil
Narrated by: David Drummond
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Publisher's summary

In early May 2006, a young British climber named David Sharp lay dying near the top of Mount Everest while forty other climbers walked past him on their way to the summit. A week later, Lincoln Hall, a seasoned Australian climber, was left for dead near the same spot. Hall's death was reported around the world, but the next day he was found alive after spending the night on the upper mountain with no food and no shelter.

If David Sharp's death was shocking, it was not singular: despite unusually good weather, ten others died attempting to reach the summit that year.

In this meticulous inquiry into what went wrong, Nick Heil tells the full story of the deadliest year on Everest since the infamous season of 1996. He introduces Russell Brice, the outfitter who has done more than anyone to provide access to the summit via the mountain's north side---and who some believe was partially responsible for Sharp's death. As more climbers attempt the summit each year, Heil shows how increasingly risky expeditions and unscrupulous outfitters threaten to turn Everest into a deadly circus.

Written by an experienced climber and outdoor writer, Dark Summit is both a riveting account of a notorious climbing season and a troubling investigation into whether the pursuit of the ultimate mountaineering prize has spiraled out of control.

©2008 Nick Heil (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Here is humanity itself, personified in exemplary fashion by Nick Heil, addressing the Everest culture's lack of compassion and coming up with the right answers." (Bob Shacochis, author of The Immaculate Invasion)
Through rock-solid reporting and vital prose, Heil leads us up into this rarefied world, step by hypoxic step." (Hampton Sides, author of Ghost Soldiers)

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GRAVEYARD on the Roof of the World

Would you listen to Dark Summit again? Why?

No I would not, it is to sad!

Any additional comments?

Having wintered over in Antarctica in 1990 with a military expedition for 13 months on the ice, I can relate to the cold temperatures these climbers endured and died in. However, I cannot even begin to imagine the oxygen problems of high altitude existence. This book is not a glory bound testament to those you have conquered the mountain elements but a sad story of those you failed in their attempts to achieve something that really means nothing in the end. In 2012 the graveyard expanded another 12 bodies with a total of 200 to-date and the the crowd will be waiting in 2013 to make their bid for the roof, we can only hope that no matter how far they ascend they make it to the basement in the end. "making it to the top is optional, making it back down is mandatory".

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More than just a report of the 2006 season

The scope of this book goes well beyond just reporting on the 2006 season, it also gives a very concise history of the most famous climbs on Mt. Everest.
An excellent book, that it is well narrated. Highly recommended.

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Great book!

Gives a different perspective than most of the books about Everest. Very well researched and excellent narration. Didn’t want it to end!

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Well-Researched, Well-Written

The writer offers a dynamic perspective of the events on Everest, situating the narrative in the long history of climbing disasters. The only issue I had was keeping up with all the individuals involved in the events, but that says less about the writer and more about the genre. The reader has a nice voice, but does a lot of accents which I personally don’t love. (That said, the accents weren’t overblown or distracting.)

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Riveting

An extraordinary listen for those with an interest in Everest! Never a dull moment in this one. Very thorough.

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Lots of characters to keep track of

Interesting true adventure story of Everest deaths in 2007. Hard to keep track of all the characters. Told from an unbiased point of view.

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Interesting story

Could have been a bit more succinct. A little too detailed in the telling but overall very good.

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Another version

The 1996 and 2006 climbing season on Everest oil alot of lives. There are books written by multiple survivors and guides. This is a good book that’s gets into some bickering and finger pointing.

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Highly recommend this book

This is an excellent book for anyone who likes survival and adventure books. Great narrative and mostly easy to follow along. I mostly do some research to identify certain names.

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Great Review-

Everest- if your a fan, this one is a good non-biased account of the true events as they unfold- with plenty of backstory & history thrown in.

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