K2

Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain

By: Ed Viesturs, David Roberts

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

A thrilling chronicle of the tragedy-ridden history of climbing K2, the world's most difficult and unpredictable mountain, by the best-selling author of No Shortcuts to the Top.

At 28,251 feet, the world's second-tallest mountain, K2 thrusts skyward out of the Karakoram Range of northern Pakistan. Climbers regard it as the ultimate achievement in mountaineering, with good reason. Four times as deadly as Everest, K2 has claimed the lives of 77 climbers since 1954.

In August 2008, 11 climbers died in a single 36-hour period on K2 - the worst single-event tragedy in the mountain's history and the second-worst in the long chronicle of mountaineering in the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges. Yet summiting K2 remains a cherished goal for climbers from all over the globe.

Before he faced the challenge of K2 himself, Ed Viesturs, one of the world's premier high-altitude mountaineers, thought of it as "the holy grail of mountaineering". In K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain, Viesturs explores the remarkable history of the mountain and of those who have attempted to conquer it. At the same time he probes K2's most memorable sagas in an attempt to illustrate the lessons learned by confronting the fundamental questions raised by mountaineering - questions of risk, ambition, loyalty to one's teammates, self-sacrifice, and the price of glory.

Viesturs knows the mountain firsthand. He and renowned alpinist Scott Fischer climbed it in 1992 and were nearly killed in an avalanche that sent them sliding to almost certain death. Fortunately, Ed managed to get into a self-arrest position with his ice ax and stop both his fall and Scott's.

Focusing on seven of the mountain's most dramatic campaigns, from his own troubled ascent to the 2008 tragedy, Viesturs crafts an edge-of-your-seat narrative that climbers and armchair travelers alike will find unforgettably compelling. With photographs from Viesturs's personal colle...

©2009 Ed Viesturs and David Roberts (P)2009 Random House

Almost Makes You Want to Climb K2... Almost

Would you consider the audio edition of K2 to be better than the print version?

I've never ready to print version so I can't be sure. Either way, the audio version is excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of K2?

It's hard to identify a single moment. Hearing about all the difficult circumstances while climbing the mountain is what makes the book so riveting. You learn the history of K2 and get firsthand perspective on how difficult and scary it is to actually climb it. In my opinion, better (and safer) than climbing it yourself.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

Sander's does a solid job in narrating this book. I don't know what Ed Viesturs sounds like in person, but Sanders made me believe that Viesturs was talking to me in my car every day.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. The story was fascinating but the historical spread and detail had my head swirling at different points. The desire was there but the will was weak.

Fascinating!

Great account of the mountain's history and awesome performance by the narrator. It's definitely a must for any mountaineering enthusiast.

Solid read about mountaineering

This work is a good combination of memoir and mountain history. As described, the book covers a series of notable expeditions, through which you learn a lot about attempts, ascents, and disasters on the mountain. As a mountaineer, Viesturs can interject with his own assessments about some of these events (noting, in many cases, what went wrong and how different climbers make different decisions on the mountain). If you're looking for Into Thin Air 2 then you need to adjust your expectations -- this is a wider ranging work going back to the early 1900s and therefore much is based in history; there are some dramatic and disastrous events, but it's not all first-hand gripping storytelling.

Not what i expected

I thought this book was going to be focused on the authors climb but it seemed more about the history of mountaineering with a touch of the authors climb sprinkled in. The allure of hearing about one tale was dust covered with foreshadowing and analysis of past climbs.

Negative Book

Starts out ok then descends into a negative complaints fest about how other people did things. Sure the author is experienced but what I find ironic is he criticizes the Italian expedition which successfully reached the summit of K2, yet praises US expeditions which failed and in which multiple people died? Huh? Don't bother, it is just a personal rant.

Must listen

Really fluid and interesting story, goes through several expeditions with the authority that provides the experience of the writer. Strongly recommendable for mountain lovers, makes you want to go to the karakorum at once

Boring

Boring recount of past books and diaries of other expeditions and climbers. Narration was good.

Great!!!!

Unbelievable stories. Very interesting and amazing ventures . A great book to listen to very well narrated. Will listen to it again

Facinating and educational!

Clear headed, well balanced writing that includes historical story telling about this facinating mountain and the human persuits of climbing it from beginning. Ed's personal endevours are painted with a humble and realistic touch that leaves me full of awe and respect of the natures wonders (in this case the awsome K2). Also that the human ego has no place in it.

Interesting story!

If you could sum up K2 in three words, what would they be?

The three words I would use to sum up K2 would be interesting, tragic and technical.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

He has a nice voice for narrating books and was easy to listen to.

Any additional comments?

The book was interesting overall, but I felt that the book was more about the mistakes made rather than the drama of the events on K2. It wasn't quite the story I expected, but it was a good one, nonetheless. I suspect that if I knew more about climbing mountains, it would be more exciting.

Fascinating chronicle of the difficulties of K2

Possibly a little self centered but nevertheless the thoroughness of the research needed to give such an enlightening insight into the challenges and tragedies of K2 can only be applauded. I was hooked from the moment I started listening.

Excellent history of climbing K to

This book has brought together many other books and shown in Monbulk the total history of planning and Kate to the ups and downs and she again year of this Mt even Liberty the tenants mother few women that tempted to climb gay K2 The awful danger and reliability of the mountains and many well-known climbers the used different techniques alpine Everest hell solo without oxygen et cetera
The fact that ratio what are use this matter has highest attempt to death rate in the hole because Emily is good history good read and brings together many famous books go together into one good read. As exclaim I enjoyed it thoroughly and hope that people will take something away from it to especially the joy of climbing on the challenge you face

Ammmmazing

Listened to this book 4 times since purchasing it this month!

If you are interested in mountain climbing and the challenges that people face in this endeavour this is a great book for you.

Gripping and Fascinating

I loved this audio book. It is gripping and thoroughly interesting but in a non-sensationalist or glorifying way. It is honest and heart felt with genuine opinion. It describes many feelings and sentiments that I can easily imagine given the descriptive accounts. excellent.

k2

well read with tons of detail and theory a well researched book , enjoyed it very much

Superb

Loved it!! I've read a lot of books on climbing, and thought I knew quite a lot about K2, but this told me so much I didn't know, plus a re-interpretation of previous climbs from Visteurs' personal experience. Fascinating and well written. Could hardly bear to put it down/switch it off. Will get his other book now in the hope its just as good.

This is a great book

This is the first time I am reading Ed Viesters book . I have seen him on documentaries countless times before + the IMAX movie . K2 is always been an interesting subject to read about , this book gives a good account of all the major expeditions to K2 and aftermath or consequences of it .

Ed is a legend!

I am a huge fan of climbing books even though I've never set foot on a serious mountain myself. So I've read quite a few accounts of K2 and Everest but this book is special. I love how Ed Viesturs talks about ethics and principles of mountain climbing, and how things have changed recently. Didn't enjoy much his reflection on science and Professor Desio (sounded a bit anti-academic and as an academic myself I didn't quite appreciate it). Nevertheless, a great book and a great man! Thank you Ed.

A wonderful story

Loved the book and narration which was superbly done. How is it that individuals become so accomplished, while the rest of us look on.

Brilliant Informative Fascinating

A simply wonderful book that is beautifully narrated. A work of brilliance by Ed, probably the greatest living climber today.