One Mountain Thousand Summits: The Untold Story Tragedy and True Heroism on K2 - Hardcover

Wilkinson, Freddie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0451231198 ISBN 13: 9780451231192

Publisher: New American Library, 2010

Synopsis

An insider's account of one of the deadliest and most controversial tragedies in mountaineering history-the 2008 K2 disaster.

When eleven men perished on the slopes of K2 in August 2008, it was one of the deadliest single events in Himalayan climbing and made headlines around the world. Yet non of the surviving western climbers could explain precisely what happened. Their memories were self-admittedly fogged by exhaustion, hypoxia, and hallucinations. The truth of what happened lies with four Sherpa guides who were largely ignored by the mainstream media in the aftermath of the tragedy, who lost two of their own during the incident, and whose heroic efforts saved the lives of at least four climbers.

Based on his numerous trips to Nepal and in-depth interviews he conducted with these unacknowledged heroes, the other survivors, and the families of the lost climbers, alpinist and veteran climbing writer Freddie Wilkinson presents the true story of what actually occurred on the "savage" mountain. This work combines a criticism of the mainstream press's less-than-complete coverage of the tragedy and an insightful portrait of the lives of 21st-century Sherpas into an intelligent, white-knuckled adventure narrative.

About this title

About the Author

Red Garnier writes in many genres of romance including contemporary, paranormal, erotic, and romantic suspense. Under the name Eve Powers, she has published numerous e-stories. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Review

"[A] high altitude thrill ride."
-Nick Heil, Author of Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season

"From the very start, I found One Mountain Thousand Summits riveting."
-Conrad Anker, Coauthor of The Last Explorer: Finding Mallory on Mt. Everest

"The gritty oeuvre is not only intensely captivating, but also the most comprehensive and introspective account of the disastrous events that took place on K2 [in 2008]."
-Alpinist

"[One Mountain Thousand Summits] delves deeply and without hyperbole into what is really happening to high-altitude mountaineering."
-Ed Douglas, Author of Tenzig: Hero of Everest

"The book is moving and it succeeds thematically. One Mountain Thousand Summits finally offers hop that human dignity can prevail in the rarefied air above eight thousand meters."
-Rock and Ice

"Wilkinson focuses on the generally unsung guides and porters employed by the ill-fated 2008 expeditions, including a potted history of the Sherpas."
-Financial Times

"Freddie Wilkinson is one of his generation's best and most articulate mountaineers. K2 can be a savage mountain. Imagine yourself above 28,000 feet, in a storm, in the dark, and an avalanche has swept away your fixed ropes. Survival is on the line. Is it every man for himself or do you risk it all to help another? There is not one better to search for answers and relive the greatest drama on the world's most dramatic mountain than Freddie. This is a must read for climbers or for anyone who wants to know what it feels like to push yourself to the very edge and the lessons we can learn about ourselves and humanity from extreme adventure."
-Geoff Tabin, Author of Blind Corners: Adventures on Seven Continents

"In his One Mountain Thousand Summits, Freddie Wilkinson tells us what really happened high on K2 in August 2008 when eleven climbers lost their lives... Especially compelling is the credence Wilkinson gives to the surviving Sherpas' version of events and the way he weaves the affected families and loved ones into this amazing story of survivors and heroes. This is a must read because it illuminates the most complex and tragic two days in the mountain's history."
-Jim Wickwire, Coauthor of Addicted to Danger and the first American (with Lou Reichardt) to summit K2

"One Mountain Thousand Summits is both a high-altitude thrill ride and an eloquent meditation on our infatuation with - and frequent misunderstanding of - individuals driven to climb to the highest places on earth. Thanks to Wilkinson's tenacious investigation, narrated with uncommon skill and grace, he has produced the definitive account of the much debated 2008 disaster on K2."
-Nick Heil, Author of Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season

"In a single two-day period, eleven climbers lost their lives on K2. In a mystery clouded by the haze of exhaustion, thin air, and poor communication we are left to wonder: What happened on August 1-2, 2008? With an insider's knowledge of Himalayan climbing, Wilkinson goes deep into the lives of the climbers and particularly the Sherpas on this fateful climb to produce a book that should be essential reading for those wanting to understand the disaster. From the very start, I found One Mountain Thousand Summits riveting."
-Conrad Anker, Coauthor of The Last Explorer: Finding Mallory on Mt. Everest

"Wilkinson is a talented alpinist himself, as well as an enquiring writer, and he takes nothing for granted... shrewdly structure to take full account of the Nepali climbers' and Sherpas' stories."
-Ed Douglas, Author of Tenzig: Hero of Everest

Edition details

• Publisher: New American Library
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0451231198
• ISBN 13: 9780451231192
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 342