Everest: Reflections From the Top

A fascinating collection of writings to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.

On 29 May, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first ever to set foot on the highest point on earth: the summit of Mount Everest. It was a magical moment, news of which flashed around the globe. Since then many men and women have striven to reach the top of this awesome mountain, which can be at once beautiful and mystical, unpredictable and highly dangerous, never straightforward and always incredibly tough.

In this remarkable book, published to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the original ascent, mountaineers from around the world tell what motivated them to make their own summit bids. They highlight how it felt to reach the top of Everest and the impact it made on them, ranging from practical comments to personal spiritual reflections, to philosophical statements on the future of our planet.

Not only is this a fascinating and insightful collection, it is also an inspiration to any one of us when we contemplate heroic achievements of our own -- whatever they may be.

Christine Gee is the Royal Nepalese Honorary Consul General (Australia) and co-founded of Australian Himalayan Expeditions.

Garry Weare has had a long association with the Himalayas and is author of Trekking in the Indian Himalaya.