No Shortcuts to the Top cover art

No Shortcuts to the Top

Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks

 Preview
Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

No Shortcuts to the Top

By: Ed Viesturs, David Roberts
Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
Try Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.99

Buy Now for $25.99

About this listen

 THIS GRIPPING AND TRIUMPHANT MEMOIR FOLLOWS A LIVING LEGEND OF EXTREME MOUNTAINEERING AS HE MAKES HIS ASSAULT ON HISTORY, ONE 8,000-METER SUMMIT AT A TIME.

For eighteen years Ed Viesturs pursued climbing’s holy grail: to stand atop the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, without the aid of bottled oxygen. But No Shortcuts to the Top is as much about the man who would become the first American to achieve that goal as it is about his stunning quest. As Viesturs recounts the stories of his most harrowing climbs, he reveals a man torn between the flat, safe world he and his loved ones share and the majestic and deadly places where only he can go.

Viesturs lives by an unyielding motto, “Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory.” It is with this philosophy that he vividly describes fatal errors in judgment made by his fellow climbers as well as a few of his own close calls and gallant rescues. And, for the first time, he details his own pivotal and heroic role in the 1996 Everest disaster made famous in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.

No Shortcuts to the Top is more than the first full account of one of the staggering accomplishments of our time; it is a portrait of a brave and devoted family man and his beliefs that shaped this most perilous and magnificent pursuit.©2006 Ed Viesturs and David Roberts; (P)2006 Books on Tape Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Climbing & Mountaineering Outdoors & Nature Sports Travel Writing & Commentary Hiking Inspiring Adventure Extreme Sports

Critic Reviews

"Ed Viesturs is not merely one of our strongest mountaineers; he’s also one of the most remarkable. He’s demonstrated that it’s possible to climb the world’s highest peaks without taking reckless chances, and without sacrificing one’s honor or integrity. He has never hesitated to help other climbers in need, even when it meant putting himself in danger or sacrificing his own opportunity to achieve a summit. Ed, simply put, is a genuine American hero.” —Jon Krakauer

"From the drama of the peaks, to the struggle of making a living as a professional climber, to the basic how-tos of life at 26,000 feet, No Shortcuts to the Top is fascinating reading."
—Aron Ralston, author of Between a Rock and a Hard Place

"Ed Viesturs—the first American to climb all fourteen 8,000 meter peaks without bottled oxygen—is an animal. A human animal blessed with enormous strength balanced by intelligence, honesty, and a heart of gold. And besides, HE IS A NICE GUY.
This is a great read for those of us who climb, those who want to learn to climb and live to tell about it, and those who like great adventures." —Jim Whittaker, first American to climb Mount Everest

“Ed Viesturs was an inspiration to me personally and to the Seahawks team in 2005. I highly recommend reading this account of one of America’s heroes.” —Mike Holmgren, coach of the Seattle Seahawks
All stars
Most relevant

Would you consider the audio edition of No Shortcuts to the Top to be better than the print version?

Never read the printed version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ed Viesturs is the hero , his triumph over all the adversities makes the book a great story about human endeavour

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Annapoura summit he finally get to the top YAYYY!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I am training for Everest and go on very long walks so i completed the book it in 2 walks

A great story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. Such an insightful look at Ed Viesturs life and his climbing achievements. Really enjoyed all of the detail of his climbs and the unique challenges of each 8000 metre peak.

it was also interesting to hear about his life in general and it gave a more full picture of his life and climbing.

I feel the narrator was a bad pick - it didn't suit Ed at all and I feel had a negative impact. I forced myself to ignore it because I was enjoying the book so much but I found myself constantly wishing it had been read by someone else!

Absolutely Fascinating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book had me hooked from the first page! What a story and want an achievement.

Must Read (listen)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I've been reading mountaineering books for a couple years and this was right up there the best I've read. I love Eds point of view and insights into his own climbs and that of others and also loved that it wasn't just about one mountain but a variety of the 8000m peaks. Some good history on first ascents, etc as well. I spent a couple hours trying to find a book I wanted and am definitely glad I picked this one. I will definitely be reading/listening to some of his other books!

Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The preview hooked me and the book didn't disappoint! Mountain adventure from start to finish. Well done Ed.

Addictive!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.