High Mountain Sports

“So, at last here we have it, the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. Well, not quite, but at least the answer to pretty much any question that a would-be expeditioner or trekker could possibly think of.

“When I first looked at this book I thought that probably the gear lists would not need to include an anorak, as anyone who read it would be one anyway. As it turns out, either am I am one too or, and my preferred option, I was wrong and this book really does provide a complete guide and very appropriate encouragement to help people to get started on their own expeditions.

“The content is very comprehensive; covering both everything you could think of and loads you would not, but need to know. Because it is so thorough it also inevitably includes information that may not be needed for your own expedition, but for me, this is a source of inspiration. What would be involved in having a person with a disability as a team member, what would it be like to go to X during Y season, or are GPS or radio/telephone communications worth the effort?

“It is true that all the factual information is available elsewhere, but it would take a major effort to find it, especially if you don’t know anyone who has already been there and done it.

“Really, though, the facts are only a part of what this book offers. In a way Paul Deegan had dovetailed two books together, The Facts and The Opinions. Every few pages contain the wisdom of an experienced expeditioner and for me it is that brings the book to life. You can choose from pillars of the establishment, climbers at the cutting edge and a few other renegade characters too (you decide who is which). I reckon it would cost a small fortune to take each of these experts out for enough drink for them to start pontificating about their ‘Top Tips’. To that extent alone, this book is very good value. It’s difficult to select one that is indicative of the whole range, but here are two I like. The first from Reinhold Messner ‘…Since my expeditions are very cheap I can afford to fail’ and the second from John Barry ‘Allow for the cock up factor in everything…’ In a way that about sums up expedition planning.

“If you are going on a trip soon, then rush out and buy it, if you went last year and are still mulling it over, this book will help you to draw out some lessons for next time.”

Tom Richardson

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