Mount Everest: Confessions of an Amateur Peak Bagger | 
 enlarge | Author: Flynn Kevin
Creator: Fallesen Gary
Publisher: Martino Flynn/Haystack Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $101.12
New (1) Used (6) from $59.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 706645
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 308
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9
ISBN: 0976743132
Dewey Decimal Number: 796
EAN: 9780976743132
ASIN: 0976743132
Publication Date: March 15, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Book is brand new, and has never been opened. Thousands of satisfied customers!
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Product Description
A true story, warts and all, of what really happened to ad exec and amateur climber Kevin Flynn during his days at the top of the world. In May 2004, Flynn reached the summit of Mt. Everest--but not without tears, laughter, failures, near-death experiences and great friendships. If you'sve ever wondered what it would be like for a mere mortal to attempt Mt. Everest, this book is as close as it gets.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
A Page Turner September 18, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a fun read book! Even an armchair mountain climber like myself, can experience the ups and downs of an incredible journey!
Kevin is just a regular guy who's passion propels him to the top of the world. The best part is that the reader gets to go there too! Good stuff! It was hard to put this book down!
Definitely a masterpeice to add along side my Jon Krakauer's, Into Thin Air; David Breashear's, High Exposure; Kenneth Kamler's, Doctor on Everest; and Ed Viestur's, Himalayan Quest.
Outstanding!! One of The Best Books On Everest June 12, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Being an Everest-phile who can't read enough about this mountain, I highly recommend this book. It's not just about climbing Everest, it's the battles of overcoming one's weaknesses to do so on....the mountain and in everyday life.
Warning: Whatever you do, do NOT read the Table of Contents or you will find yourself completely seduced by the fascinating chapter titles and you'll be skipping ahead. Titles such as:
Big Head Todd, the Monster
Heading to Base Camp, and the Dead Yak in Room 5
May 16, 2002-The Day I Stayed in the Tent
I'm Through With Big Mountains Forever-I'm Finally Cured
Cheesedick at LAX
The Advantages of Failure
My Dad's Dying
Reindeer Copulation Hat
Potty Talk (literally)
Kevin wrote such a funny book that you'll laugh out loud. He also writes about failing and how it haunts you until you right the wrong of failing.
I, too, had a hike in which it was a day I did not get out of the tent. It was on the mountaineer's route of Mt. Whitney (pretty much exactly 1/2 the height of Everest) and I was so zonked out by the steep hike, I laid in my tent the next day while my hiking party summitted and HATED myself. I could feel exactly what Kevin felt the first time he attempted Everest and did not have the energy to get out and go while everyone else did...even a group of women! On the way home from the trip he tried to avoid talking to anyone about where he'd been because they couldn't understand that while he'd gotten so far up, why didn't he just go for the summit? Very, very funny reading! (See Cheesedick at LAX chapter.)
This failure haunts him for years until he goes out and sets it straight. Being an amateur climber he really paints a stunningly clear picture of what it's like and what it feels like, physically and mentally, to challenge the Big One. What he writes can impact your regular life.
I don't want to give away the ending, but Kevin gives a great first hand description of what it's like to be so tired that finally standing on Everest he feels nothing, he just wants to get DOWN! Which is easier than said. First he had to negotiate down the steep, rocky Hillary Step, then, so exhausted, UP the 60 foot face of the South Summit, Everest not being a just downhill mountain. He just wanted to stop and sleep for a while and we all know what happens when you just "sleep" on Everest. He also credits Sherpa Mingma for saving his life, patiently rousing him awake constantly to get him off the mountain as night falls (chapter "Kevin, please...")
I hope Kevin finds another adventure and writes a book about it. This book is one you can't put down and is extremely well-written. There are superb color photos and some pretty pathetic ones of him after he finally conquers Everest.
Kevin, I'm planning on going to Everest Base Camp next year, being a trekker you climbers hate as "disease carriers", but I can't wait to experience Nepal as you described it!
Congratulations Kevin, great book!!
A great read - inspiring story about life, not just a mountain April 10, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was so approachable and down to earth, but also gave an exciting and realistic account of his climbs. I'm not a climber, but was looking for an inspirational read. The author really expresses himself as a climber and as a person with some significant depth of character. You don't need to be a mountain climber to read and thoroughly enjoy this book.
Interesting, exciting, enjoyable April 10, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Kevin Flynn takes the reader on a personally guided tour of Mt. Everest. The account is extremely interesting, without being bogged down with the technical intricacies of the climb. The story is told in very personal, self-effacing terms. It's well worth the read, whether a climber, a fan, or neither. I found extremely inspirational.
Great book June 29, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I have always been fascinated with those who climb Mt. Everest. This is such a great down to earth book. You feel as though you are along for the climb and how very difficult it is. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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