Many thanks, Ernie. I dusted off the book that has been on my shelf for 40 years, and finally read it. Finished it this morning. What a treasure! A gripping account of expeditioneering and exploration during the golden age of mountaineering.

We think we're so good, but those guys were real mountaineers. They endured abominable conditions with gear nothing like what we have nowadays. I am aware of the controversy surrounding his (alleged) distorting the contribution of other team members, but that cannot change the bottom line. They performed admirably. They were real mountaineers.

I would rather have lived then.

Last edited by Bob R; 02/02/13 06:57 AM. Reason: Actually I did, but I didn't get into expeditionary climbing until 25 years later.