Lucky to Be Alive

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A First Expedition - Rated
This is not a mountaineering classic. It isn't written by a superstar fighting impossible battles with huge budgets in unreachable parts of the world, embellished with flowery beauty and great moral and philosophical questions.

It is however a cracking good and inspiring read. If you are interested in mountains, a walker, a lower grade climber, or think you could be, this is a fascinating read and might be the push you needed.

Best described by the latter part of the title - 'A first expedition to the Himalyans'. It has more of an echo of Shackleton than Simpson, leaving the reader wondering whether an unclimbed peak in the Himalayas really is an unreachable target for a housewife. At the same time it confirms some of the real dangers and obstacles.

It brings the Himalayas out of the clouds in a very sensible, British and, at times, crudely honest manner. Well done, deserving five stars as much for the climb as the book.