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65 reviews for:
The Next Everest: Surviving the Mountain's Deadliest Day and Finding the Resilience to Climb Again
Jim Davidson
3.87 AVERAGE
65 reviews for:
The Next Everest: Surviving the Mountain's Deadliest Day and Finding the Resilience to Climb Again
Jim Davidson
3.87 AVERAGE
Talk about a compelling read! Geologist Jim Davidson describes his inspiration and ambition in childhood as a painter with his father and ties it in with the rest of the book. Nonlinear books are brilliant if done well. And this is. The Next Everest is about inspiration, hope, resilience, trust and dreaming big. I like that the author reiterates a quote from his dad, "Focus on the climb, not the drop" which is excellent advice for any challenge.
Davidson was on Mount Everest on the fateful date of April 25, 2015 when a 7.8 earthquake devastated the area, killing 8,900 people and 18 others who were climbing. Money was raised to help locals rebuild their lives. One of the most poignant moments for me was the explanation from one woman who kept her cow sheltered ahead of her family. Davidson and others miraculously survived but trapped. They were fortunately rescued by a helicopter before reaching the summit. What a harrowing experience that must have been in so many ways. Eighteen climbers did not survive. Though unsure at first, he decided he would attempt it again and trained and trained and trained in preparation. He succeeded in summiting in 2017. The suspenseful descriptions practically had me holding my breath.
I enjoy true adventure stories like this which reveal the human spirit. Not only was the story entrancing but I learned a lot such as the sun's ability to burn the roofs of mouths and how everything is far, far more difficult at high altitude including going to the bathroom. Though I live in -40C temperatures and know winter cold, I learned much more about ice blocks, the death zone and Icefall Doctors (have always wondered what they were called!). The geological descriptions are fascinating. Davidson describes his family's support. The personal touch is beautiful!
So, whether you are interested in climbing physical mountains or not, do read this inspiring and fascinating book.
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this breathtaking early e-ARC.
Davidson was on Mount Everest on the fateful date of April 25, 2015 when a 7.8 earthquake devastated the area, killing 8,900 people and 18 others who were climbing. Money was raised to help locals rebuild their lives. One of the most poignant moments for me was the explanation from one woman who kept her cow sheltered ahead of her family. Davidson and others miraculously survived but trapped. They were fortunately rescued by a helicopter before reaching the summit. What a harrowing experience that must have been in so many ways. Eighteen climbers did not survive. Though unsure at first, he decided he would attempt it again and trained and trained and trained in preparation. He succeeded in summiting in 2017. The suspenseful descriptions practically had me holding my breath.
I enjoy true adventure stories like this which reveal the human spirit. Not only was the story entrancing but I learned a lot such as the sun's ability to burn the roofs of mouths and how everything is far, far more difficult at high altitude including going to the bathroom. Though I live in -40C temperatures and know winter cold, I learned much more about ice blocks, the death zone and Icefall Doctors (have always wondered what they were called!). The geological descriptions are fascinating. Davidson describes his family's support. The personal touch is beautiful!
So, whether you are interested in climbing physical mountains or not, do read this inspiring and fascinating book.
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this breathtaking early e-ARC.
Intriguing story. Author mixes his narrative about surviving an earthquake while attempting to summit Mt. Everest for the first time and deciding to try again two years later with memories of his past as an avid mountain climber. Basically, Everest centric anecdotes of a mountain climber. Good. Just the tiniest bit dry in places.
Though, the concertation on pooing at the top of the world was both amusing - human - and educational. LOL. Thanks for doing the math on that, Jim.
Though, the concertation on pooing at the top of the world was both amusing - human - and educational. LOL. Thanks for doing the math on that, Jim.
Jim Davidson spins a gripping and true-to-life tale of mountaineering in general and his quests to summit Everest in particular. The book is filled with supense, tragedy, triumph, revelation, and near-poetic descriptions. It's a wonderful look at the cultures of Tibet, the often life-threatening challenges of his avocation, and the mountaineering subculture. Infused in it all is Mr. Davidson's innate humanity and the profound lessons of life that he imparts.
Mountain narrative: five stars
Painting sections: three stars. I get why they're there, but one of them made the point.
One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the detail about the techniques of climbing. I've read a number of Everest books at this point, and this was one that actually gave enough detail about the techniques involved and enough sweaty, stinky detail to drive the point home about what it's like to be camping and climbing at high altitudes.
Painting sections: three stars. I get why they're there, but one of them made the point.
One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the detail about the techniques of climbing. I've read a number of Everest books at this point, and this was one that actually gave enough detail about the techniques involved and enough sweaty, stinky detail to drive the point home about what it's like to be camping and climbing at high altitudes.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
This has been my bedtime book for a while, the problem is...I haven't wanted to put it down. It is no secret that I have a long and abiding fascination and love of Mount Everest. This book recounts one man's experience being high on the mountain when the largest earthquake in recent history hits Nepal and Everest.
Jim, an experienced mountaineer, high altitude first responder and geologist was uniquely qualified to tell this story from each point of view. The fear of a climber unsure of their fate, a trained professional who knows the risks involved with any sort of rescue attempt, and a scientist fascinated by and aware of the behavior of the earth as it shifts and shakes.
I loved this book, but I know it won't be for everyone. I love the science-y parts as much as the heartbreaking and heartwarming parts, the adventure as much as the explanations of geologic events. If you enjoy true life adventures, stories of survival, or stories of resilience you might enjoy this book too.
Jim, an experienced mountaineer, high altitude first responder and geologist was uniquely qualified to tell this story from each point of view. The fear of a climber unsure of their fate, a trained professional who knows the risks involved with any sort of rescue attempt, and a scientist fascinated by and aware of the behavior of the earth as it shifts and shakes.
I loved this book, but I know it won't be for everyone. I love the science-y parts as much as the heartbreaking and heartwarming parts, the adventure as much as the explanations of geologic events. If you enjoy true life adventures, stories of survival, or stories of resilience you might enjoy this book too.
adventurous
Was boring tbh. I didn’t care about the throwback to childhood scenes and everything was very technical. Also the reader of this audiobook spoke way too fast.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
The first half of the book is about the authors 2015 experience of the earthquake, which occurred while he was at Camp 1 on the south side. This was the story I was most interested in. The second half was his story of going back to climb again in 2017. I found this content to be less compelling. At this point I’ve read quite a few summit stories and this one didn’t stand out to me as particularly interesting. One thing I did appreciate was how Davidson attempted to dispel some of the mythology about trash and “other waste” on Everest. It was good to hear his perspective and his overall positive attitude toward the Everest camps, especially after reading all the horrors described in High Crimes by Michael Kodas.