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Dark Summit

The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season

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Dark Summit

By: Nick Heil
Narrated by: David Drummond
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About this listen

 In early May 2006, a young British climber named David Sharp lay dying near the top of Mount Everest while forty other climbers walked past him on their way to the summit. A week later, Lincoln Hall, a seasoned Australian climber, was left for dead near the same spot. Hall's death was reported around the world, but the next day he was found alive after spending the night on the upper mountain with no food and no shelter.

If David Sharp's death was shocking, it was not singular: despite unusually good weather, ten others died attempting to reach the summit that year.

In this meticulous inquiry into what went wrong, Nick Heil tells the full story of the deadliest year on Everest since the infamous season of 1996. He introduces Russell Brice, the outfitter who has done more than anyone to provide access to the summit via the mountain's north side---and who some believe was partially responsible for Sharp's death. As more climbers attempt the summit each year, Heil shows how increasingly risky expeditions and unscrupulous outfitters threaten to turn Everest into a deadly circus.

Written by an experienced climber and outdoor writer, Dark Summit is both a riveting account of a notorious climbing season and a troubling investigation into whether the pursuit of the ultimate mountaineering prize has spiraled out of control.

©2008 Nick Heil (P)2008 Tantor Adventure Travel Climbing & Mountaineering Ecosystems & Habitats Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Adventure

Critic Reviews

"Here is humanity itself, personified in exemplary fashion by Nick Heil, addressing the Everest culture's lack of compassion and coming up with the right answers." (Bob Shacochis, author of The Immaculate Invasion)
Through rock-solid reporting and vital prose, Heil leads us up into this rarefied world, step by hypoxic step." (Hampton Sides, author of Ghost Soldiers)
All stars
Most relevant  
I'm not a climber but mountain climbing 8000metre peaks and those that do them fascinate me. This book goes into detail about what it takes, the path up the northern side, history of the mountain and climbers along with the morals and thinking of those on the mountain. Well written, nicely read, couldn't turn it off. Well recommended

Great book for mountain voyeurs

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A very in depth and clear history of the tragic past on Everest, which does not seek to lay blame or pardon behaviour.
The narration is okay, but let down by some of the attempts to mimic accents.

An Amazing Recounting

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A well researched and unbiased account of the history of climbing on Everest with particular reference to the 2006 season. A really thought provoking book.

Fantastic

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A great read that’s a fascinating look into one one year on Everest. The author weaves in tales from other years in a way that enhances the main focus, survival and death on the mountain. Excellent narrator.

Well woven story

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the writing, the performer, the story and the the way he put it all together... fantastic!
Definitely recommend. I'd listen to it again.

great audiobook!

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What on God's green earth ever possessed the narrator to use terrible accents is beyond me. Not only were the accents hilariously awful they were often wildly inaccurate, notably Sir Edmund Hillary ( a KIWI!) sounding like bloody crocodile Dundee!

I could not finish this book. Would not recommend.

The most laughable accents I've ever heard

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