Into the Clouds: The Race to Climb the World's Most Dangerous Mountain

by Tod Olson

Overview

A nail-biting tale of survival and brotherhood atop one of the world's most dangerous mountains.

This fast-paced, three-part narrative takes readers on three expeditions over 15 years to K2, one of the deadliest mountains on Earth. Roped together, these teams of men face perilously high altitudes and battering storms in hopes of reaching the summit. As each expedition sets out, they carve new paths along icy slopes and unforgiving rock, creating camps on ledges so narrow they fear turning over in their sleep.

But disaster strikes -- in 1939, four men never make it down the mountain. Fourteen years later, a man develops blood clots in his legs at 25,000 feet, leaving his team with no safe path off the mountain. Filled with displays of incredible strength and heart-stopping danger, Into the Clouds tells the incredible stories of the men whose quest to conquer a mountain became a battle to survive the descent.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338207378
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	04/21/2020
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	694,710
File size:	85 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tod Olson is the author of the Lost series, the How to Get Rich historical fiction series, and numerous books for the school/library and classroom markets. He has written for national magazines on the Columbine school shooting, homeless teens, the murder of Matthew Shepard, and many other stories of interest to children and young adults. During his 25 years in children's publishing, he has edited and developed several collections of books for both school/library and the classroom. Tod holds an MFA from Vermont College.

Table of Contents

Prologue Camp VIII, K2, August 6, 1953 xi

Part 1 1938: The Dirty Work

1 Because It's There 2

2 Not Like Other Mountains 13

3 From Another World 24

4 How Small Indeed 34

Part 2 1939: The Hermit of K2

5 Boys to Men 52

6 The Siege 65

7 Puppet Master 80

8 A Perfect Day to Summit 92

9 Deserted 106

10 The Most Beautiful Monument 115

Part 3 1953: The Savage Mountain

11 No Superstars 126

12 Back to the Mountain 137

13 Ghosts of K2 147

14 Three Good Days 163

15 In the Eye of the Storm 174

16 The Death Zone 183

17 The Fall 197

18 Fellowship of the Rope 208

Epilogue A Beautiful Failure 221

The Gear 230

Author's Note 233

Sources 239

Source Notes 249

Photo Credits 261

Acknowledgments 263

About the Author 267

Editorial Reviews

03/16/2020

Numerous suspenseful survival stories make up this detailed portrayal of three attempts by 20th-century Americans to reach the summit of the 28,250-foot-high Himalayan peak known as K2, the world’s second highest. Opening at a critical moment in the final attempt, in 1953, the book circles back to the first expedition in 1938, then continues chronologically back to that opening moment. Climbers are introduced with identifying characteristics, and the arduous climbs, executed in the face of unrelenting dangers such as blizzards, frostbite, and lack of oxygen, are replayed in gripping, step-by-step descriptions. Olson emphasizes the vital roles played by Sherpas and other groups who served as porters, taking care to outline the vast differences between the white climbers’ and the Sherpas’ clothing, gear, and conditions, and the occasional power struggles that arose between the two groups. Filled with tense moments, the book explores the question of what draws people to risk their lives climbing hostile mountains, as well as the importance of strong leadership, loyalty, and “the fellowship of the rope.” Black-and-white photos underscore the life-threatening nature of these historic expeditions. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

* "An absolute must-have for all readers looking for well-researched and gripping adventure nonfiction." — School Library Journal, starred review"Olson writes with assurance and empathy. . . . Gripping, well-researched, superb entertainment." — Kirkus Reviews"Olson's meticulously documented research and creative writing make this an unforgettable story of courage and determination." — Booklist"This non-stop action adventure is narrative nonfiction at its best." — School LIbrary Connection"Tod Olson turns this true story into a tale more thrilling and suspenseful than any work of fiction." — Lauren Tarshis, New York Times bestselling author of the I Survived series"This harrowing adventure story practically puts you on the slopes of K2 with the climbers. You'll feel yourself gasping for oxygen, stamping your feet to fight off frostbite, and wrestling with the ultimate decision: Do you turn back while you still can, or make one last try for the summit?" — Steve Sheinkin, award-winning author of Bomb and UndefeatedPraise for Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink:* "A riveting, completely engrossing true survival story. " — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 03/01/2020

Gr 3–7—Olson writes a fascinating account of three early K2 expeditions, all of whom were trying to be the first to climb the mountain. The K2 peak is the second highest peak in the world and is considered by climbers to be the most dangerous. All three American teams were unable to achieve their goals, but their stories are riveting. The first and third expeditions were led by Charlie Houston. The first expedition in 1938 provided valuable information for the second expedition led by Fritz Wiessner. The German American climber was eager to be the first to reach the summit and didn't want Houston to take the honor. The text describes each team's members and their various strengths, weaknesses, and interesting characteristics. Olson whisks readers away to the harsh climate and rugged adventure of climbing. Climbers persevere in the face of adversity, brave fierce elements, and make life-altering decisions. The motivation and determination of the climbers is at turns admirable and questionable. Readers learn about leadership skills, teamwork, and how each climber has a different approach to tackling the mountain. The book is packed with historical photographs that highlight the climbers and the terrain. Back matter includes the gear, an author's note, sources, and source notes. VERDICT An absolute must-have for all readers looking for well-researched and gripping adventure nonfiction.—Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

School Library Journal

2019-12-22
Olson details the first three attempts by Americans to summit K2.

K2, at 28,250 feet, is the second-highest mountain in the Himalayan chain and is considered by climbers the most difficult of the over-8,000-meter peaks, of which Everest is the highest. In 1938, when Olson's gripping tale begins, no one had climbed K2. Medical student Charlie Houston and his handpicked team were tasked by the American Alpine Club to scout a route up K2 so that another team headed by climber Fritz Wiessner could summit the following year. Enduring frigid cold and danger, Houston and another climber reached 26,000 feet before descending. Wiessner's attempt the following year, plagued by poor management, failed to summit also and resulted in four deaths. Fifteen years later, in 1953, Charlie Houston tried again. Olson writes with assurance and empathy, detailing the nearly unbelievable hardships borne by the climbers and narratively balancing the individuals' obsession to summit against the humanity of the so-called "brotherhood of the rope"—climbers are roped together, therefore literally dependent on one another for their lives. He takes care to include the porters and Sherpas of these early expeditions—too often considered merely as servants by the wealthy white men who hired them—by including photographs and giving them equal credit in his narrative.

Gripping, well-researched, superb entertainment. (author's note, sources, notes) (Nonfiction. 10-18)

Kirkus Reviews