Above 25,000 ft the human body is dying which begs the question as to why anyone would want to risk climbing to such heights. Surprising is the fact that the climb begins in Equatorial heat amid a riot of blooming shrubs and wildflowers. There is an element of unreality about the entire enterprise. Amid an ancient people and Buddhist Monks adventure seekers flock to climb their holy mountain. More incongruous is the concept of an expedition that daunts professional climbers being offered as a tourist attraction.
Eye-witness accounts have proven to be notoriously unreliable and the majority of the people on that mountain were suffering hallucinations from lack of oxygen. The author makes a considered effort to defend his version of the events. Whatever your assessment the book is well written and makes good reading. Risk takers fall victim to their gambles as did adventurers here, the author made it back to write his account.
