The Will to Climb

The Will to Climb chronicles Ed Viesturs' relationship with Annapurna, one of the deadliest peaks in the Himalayas. Viesturs recounts his three attempts to summit this mountain while exploring its climbing history and the tales of those who preceded him. The book details the unique challenges of Annapurna, from its avalanche-prone slopes to its notoriously difficult route-finding. Through archival research and firsthand accounts, Viesturs reconstructs historic climbs on the mountain, including the 1950 French expedition that marked the first successful ascent of an 8,000-meter peak. Throughout the narrative, Viesturs examines his personal motto "getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory" and its application to climbing decisions. His experiences on Annapurna test this philosophy and force him to confront questions about risk, ambition, and the price of pursuing high-altitude mountaineering goals. The book stands as a meditation on patience, determination, and the complex relationship between climbers and the mountains they choose to challenge. Through both triumph and tragedy on Annapurna, Viesturs illustrates how respect for the mountain ultimately proves more important than conquering it.

Readers found this account of climbing Annapurna detailed but sometimes repetitive. Many appreciated Viesturs' candid analysis of past expeditions and his personal journey with the mountain, particularly his honesty about fear and risk assessment. Readers liked: - Technical climbing details and historical research - Focus on decision-making and safety - Clear explanations of mountaineering concepts Readers disliked: - Repetition of information from previous books - Too much rehashing of historical climbs - Some found Viesturs' tone self-congratulatory One reader noted: "The historical accounts were fascinating but overshadowed Viesturs' own climb." Another commented: "Good insights into why Annapurna is so dangerous, but needed better editing." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) The book appears to resonate more with readers already familiar with mountaineering literature and Viesturs' previous work.

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🏔️ Ed Viesturs is the only American to have climbed all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters (26,000+ feet) without supplemental oxygen 🗻 Annapurna has the highest fatality rate of any 8,000-meter peak, with approximately one death for every three successful summits ⛰️ The book details how Maurice Herzog's famous 1950 expedition to Annapurna resulted in severe frostbite, with Herzog losing all his fingers and toes 🏔️ Ed Viesturs attempted Annapurna three times before finally reaching the summit in 2005, making it his last 8,000-meter peak 🗻 Co-author David Roberts is himself an accomplished climber who made the first ascents of several peaks in Alaska and wrote over 30 books about mountaineering