Ghosts of K2

By: Mick Conefrey

Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards

At 28,251 feet, K2 might be almost 800 feet shorter than Everest, but it’s a far harder climb. It will kill you on the way up and the way down.

Mick Conefrey guides us through the early story of the legendary mountain and the extraordinary attempts that led up to its first ascent in 1954 - these are tales of riveting drama and unimaginable tragedy.

Starting with the ill-fated attempts of the drug-addicted occultist Aleister Crowley and the wealthy Italian Duke of Abruzzi, the book then focusses on the three dramatic expeditions of 1939, 1953 and 1954.

The thread joining them together is the American Charlie Houston - a brilliant but tortured expedition leader who dreamed of being the first man to make it all the way to the top.

Based on exclusive interviews with surviving team members and their families and access to diaries and letters that have been archived around the world, this is a narrative that evokes the true atmosphere of the ‘Savage Mountain’ and explores the complicated legacy of the first ascent.

Wrought with tension and populated by tragic heroes and eccentric dreamers, Ghosts of K2 is a masterpiece of mountaineering literature.

©2015 Mick Conefrey (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Well written account of the first ascent of K2, and the many different attempts.

The book was good. It seems like the author did a lot of research on the many different first ascent attempts of K2. Although I don't know about some of the 'facts' he claims to have about the oxygen systems that were used, it's defiantly a well written account and does not really play any biased either way.

Years and country of climbers always detailed.

Not enough detail of the specific climbs on the specific routes and physical obstacles encountered.

Way Cool!

This book was so good they turned it into a documentary. Conefrey captures the profound stupidity of wealthy Western man, perhaps without even knowing it.

Gripping

Are you a fan of books on alpinism? Here's one for you, as good as they get - interesting factual and action packed. It provides an overview of expeditions on K2 and their participants. No bs, just good stuff.

A mountain climbing story of the mid 20th century

As with any book, it took a couple of chapters to identify all the players in this true hard wenching adventure. Once done, the adventures began. It is amazing what humankind would do to obtain a goal, including sacrificing their life.

One of my fave audible books

Fascinating and engrossing throughout, excellent narrator. I have listened to this book at least three times - can't get enough!

One of great pieces of alpine literature

This takes its place among the great mountaineering books. Very well researched and exciting book about an elusive mountain.

Solid well read story!

Worthy of classic mountain story status. Well written and read. Don't pass this one up.

Buy something else if you want a good k2 book

Boring and not well written. One of the worse mountaineering book I have read. Buy something else

Okay, but not very engaging

The stories connected with K2’s triumphs and tragedies have been told many times, and this was an average recounting which gave little feel for the people involved. The narration reminded me of an over-dramatic radio announcer. There are much better books that cover the same ground.