The Climb

By: Anatoli Boukreev, G. Weston DeWalt

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The Climb is a true, gripping, and thought-provoking account of the worst disaster in the history of Mt. Everest: On May 10, 1996, two commercial expeditions headed by experienced leaders attempted to climb the highest mountain in the world, but things went terribly wrong. Crowded conditions on the mountain, miscommunications, unexplainable delays, poor leadership, bad decisions, and a blinding storm conspired to kill. Twenty-three men and women, disoriented and out of oxygen, struggled to find their way down the southern side of the mountain. In the dark, battered by snow driven by hurricane-force winds, some of the climbers became hopelessly lost and resigned themselves to death. Anatoli Boukreev, the head climbing guide for the West Seattle-based Mountain Madness expedition, refused to give up hope. Solo, climbing blind in the maw of a storm that continually threatened his life, Boukreev brought climbers back from the edge of certain death.

©1997 by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Great follow up to into thin air

What made the experience of listening to The Climb the most enjoyable?

Easy to follow, though at times I found myself becoming easily distracted and not following the book. I think this is because of the audible style, I would have had an easier time if it was written. I am fascinated by Everest stories and read Into Thin Air and felt compelled to read this book

Who was your favorite character and why?

Scott Fischer, Rob hall, Great mountaineers

Which scene was your favorite?

Following their route up everest, I could just imagine what it would be like to climb everest

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt fascinated by this book, somewhat sad at the end due to the loss of life

Great book

The only thing I didn't like about the narration was that the person would say the person's name before quoting them. This was done quite often. Although it makes it obviously clear who is being quoted, it was done way too much in the book. I found myself saying Anatoli throughout the book and it would get stuck in my head like a bad song throughout the day.

This book is very, very good. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the adventure survival type books. I would've given this book five stars if the narration style was changed. I will listen to it again, regardless.

Go ahead and listen to it!

I also read Into Thin Air by John Krakauer. This is a great companion to that book, as others have said. Enjoyable listen.

great counterpoint to into thin air.

I recommend reading this book along with the book Into Thin Air. They are both good reads. John Krakhauers book is perhaps better written, or at least better edited. But you only appreciate how much each book reflects the biases and viewpoints of the author when you read the two different accounts of the same tragic events. After reading into thin air you think you know what happened. you think you have made some sense. And then you read the climb and things aren't so black and white.

Anatoli Boukreev, We Will Never Forget You.

This is a must read book about the 1996 Everest climbing tragedy. I found it very interesting that while John Krakauer (Into Thin Air), who strongly criticized Anatoli Boukreev heroic efforts to save the lives of other climbers, slept in his warm tent at the same time Boukreev worked frantically to save lives. This book is certainly a must read for anyone who is interested to know the true facts about 1996 Everest disaster and how John Krakauer, a journalist, exploited the situation for Krakauer's own personal gain.

In my opinion, after carefully listening to this story, Anatoli Boukreev was very strong, honest and humble true sportsman both physically and mentally. Boukreev was a humble hero who risked his life and did everything he could to help lost and abandoned climbers on Everest. Krakauer (Into Thin Air) slept comfortably in his tent and made a fortune off his book (Into Thin Air) and the movie adaptation. Boukreev, on the other hand, stayed awake and worked alone to save the lives of at least three other climbers. It is quite sad that Boukreev, the true hero of the 1996 Everest disaster, died in an avalanche during a climb a short time after. Rest in peace, Anatoli Boukreev. We will never forget you and your heroism.

Engaging true story. I highly recommend.

Highly recommend, whether a climber or not. Gives an insight to a tragedy that could occur at almost any time on a challenging peak.

Clearer version of the events of Everest Tragedy

This book explains Anatoli’s version of the tragic events that took the lives of Fischer and Hall and several others on Everest. Why climb magazine would not publish Anatoli’s letter is beyond me. The popularity of Jon Krakauer? Not sure. I’ve read three books on the events and it seems few were really ready for this climb.

Must read supplement to Into Thin Air.

This book is a critical component to a more thorough understanding of the tragic, infamous Everest events of 1996. I’ve known Krakauer has been known to fabricate some things, for whatever reason. However, this book really puts into thin air into perspective. Frankly, I’m in no position to judge Krakauer or Boukreev. Krakauer is one of my favorite authors. That being said, Boukreev and DeWalt do a stellar job of setting the record straight. They do so in a way that illuminates many of the vagaries of other interpretations. The bottom line is it’s clear Boukreev was a hero, and now a legend, not some inept guide. Again, this book is a must read/listen. RIP Boukreev.

A must read after into thin air

A good book which helps fully explain what occurred during the 96 Everest disaster. I found it to be a version much closer to the truth than krakauer’s book.

I appreciate the effort

I appreciate the effort that these writers made to clarify the chain of events on that sad day in 1996. I’ve listened to “into thin air” also and realize everyone has a point of view. This said, I find that this story shows a much more personal & human view of the events, you can almost feel Anatolia’s stress & pain during the long night in which he tried over & over to provide help . Very well executed!