Beyond the rest…

Finally I’ve read it. I’ve been trying to get hold of a copy since quite some time, at last got it delivered by Flipkart. Beyond the Mountain by Steve House is one of the most fascinating mountaineering books I’ve ever read. It starts with an account of a failed attempt on the Rupal face of Nanga Parbat and ends with a successful retry. Between these are many accounts of bold and daring ascents across the high mountains. Once you start reading it’s difficult to keep it down without reaching the last page. Steve House is one of the best alpinists today, and he seems to be also one of the best mountaineering authors. The style of writing is honest, and earnestly brings out the evaluation of the risks, decisions and outcomes of climbing in their chosen alpine style.

Thanks to Flipkart.com for making it possible to order the book here. In case you are looking for it, you can find it here.

The simpler you make things, the richer the experience becomes – quote from the book, couldn’t be more aptly said! Certainly, this one is beyond the rest…

NIM 2010 Course Calendar

NIM’s course calendar for 2010 is publicly available here.

I’m not sure if they have it on their official web-site yet (the site doesn’t work most of the time).

Mountains of the Mind: A History of Fascination by Robert Macfarlane

I’ve just finished reading Robert Macfarlane’s book – Mountains of the Mind: A History of Fascination.

The book runs through a history of climbing over a couple of hundred years. It touches the evolution of a lot of aspects of mountaineering – scientific research, geology, exploration, and psychology. It culminates in a narrative on the climbing attempts on Everest.

I found it a good read, an enjoyable one. While it doesn’t cover mountaineering in much details, it does cover a lot of general topics related to mountaineering and it’s evolution. I particularly enjoyed the first chapter of the author’s introduction of climbing – it happens to almost everyone. A lot of times, it feels as if the author is trying to search the answer to the ultimate question in mountaineering – why. But, somehow (and sadly), any definite answer doesn’t emerge.

I would recommend any adventure lover to read this book. After all, who doesn’t like reading about Mallory & Everest!

“O the mind, mind has mountains” – opening quote on the book by Gerard Manley Hopkins