Feeding the Rat: Profile of a Climber - Softcover

Alvarez, A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006543448 ISBN 13: 9780006543442

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 1989

Synopsis

This book is a portrait of Mo Anthoine who has been climbing all over the world for almost 30 years. For him, the challenge of the mountain is what he calls "feeding the rat" - the need to get out, to test yourself and, above all, to have some fun. Although his name is almost unknown to outsiders, he is famous in the climbing world both for his talent as a mountaineer and for his anarchic attitude to the sport. He is adamant that is is not a sport, but a pastime and the main object is to have a good time. He has climbed all over the world - in Britain, the Alps, the Himalayas, the Karakoram, New Zealand, Alaska, the Andes, Patagonia and the South American jungle. A.Alvarez has known Mo since 1964 and climbed with him often and this book includes accounts of two of their near disasters - one in the Dolomites, the other on the Old Man of Hoy.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Outside the world of mountaineering, few recognize the name of Mo Anthoine, who climbs purely for pleasure, not to set records. Poet and critic Alvarez ( Offshore: A North Sea Journey ) has had the good fortune to climb with Anthoine; here, he offers an affectionate portrait of his unique friend. "Feeding the rat" is Anthoine's term for the challenge of a difficult climb, and he has "fed the rat" in the Alps, the Himalayas, the Karakorum, in Alaska, the Andes and New Zealand. His expertise on rock faces led to a career as cameraman for the BBC and movies. With another climber he designed the Joe Brown helmet that has become standard wear for mountaineers, and he also manufactures waterproof clothing for outdoor activities; but he still finds time to climb. Alvarez recounts spectacular adventures on the high peaks; he describes two of his own climbs with Anthoine, one of them including out-of-practice elders scaling the Old Man of Hoy in the Orkney Islands. This is a charming memoir, splendid for sedentary adventurers. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0006543448
• ISBN 13: 9780006543442
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160