Dark Summit
Nick Heil
Reviewed by Barb Radmore
Climbing to the summit of Mount Everest has been one of the ultimate
climbing feats since first done by Sir Hilary in 1953. But its history,
both past and current, is a combination of courage, cowards and chaos.
Death is not an atypical result of the climb. Nick Weil has written an
in depth account of the 2006 season, the deadliest year since the
notorious 1996.
The Mountain is the focus of many dreams and desires. Everest is not
for the faint hearted, not for anyone who doubts his own ability or
skills. The real characters that populate this tale are larger than
life. It is these people that are the main players in this tale of a
season gone so horribly wrong for so many. Everest is the star of the
show but it is the people who have created the story surrounding its
mystique. Nick Weil's book does an excellent job of starting with the
early days of the mountain's history and progressing to the present. It
is not an easy tale to tell. The many, many climbers from all over the
world who have left their mark in one way or another on the mountain
are as varied as the weather itself. To be able to tell their tales in
an orderly, understandable way is not an easy task. Weil is able to
clearly introduce the reader to each climber and follows them through
to the end, whatever it may turn out to be. He unflinchingly looks at
the desires and drive that leads each to Everest.
Weil is able to look both factually and compassionately at the real
people behind the names in the news. He fleshes out the bones left
behind on the sides of Everest. He is unsparing in his portrayal of the
people who he feels have added to the circus that now surrounds
Everest's grand base. He does not hesitate to share the blame among
many although he has a few specific targets. He draws a detailed
picture of how people were left for dead, how hikers could pass their
fellow man as they die. He does not excuse anyone but does show how it
can happen. His background as a hiker and as a journalist is a strong
combination to be able to research and tell the tale of the 2006
season.
He vividly engages the reader in the story of this giant and creates a
fear for its future. It is mankind at its most base as the pot of
adventure, desire and greed reach boiling point. It brings up the
question of what will happen if the heat is not removed, the fuel
reduced and order brought to the adventure that is Everest. This book
should be read by anyone who has an interest in climbing, and by all as
a warning for the future of one the earth's wonders.