K2, The Savage Mountain: The Classic True Story Of Disaster And Survival On The World's Second-Highest Mountain

by Charles Houston, Robert Bates, Jim Wickwire (Introduction), Jonathan Waterman (Foreword by)

Overview

When eleven climbers died on K2 on August 1, 2008, it was a stark reminder that the world's second-highest mountain has, for more than a century, been regarded as the most difficult and dangerous of all—for every four people who reach the top, one dies in the attempt. K2, The Savage Mountain tells the dramatic story of the 1953 American expedition, led by Charles S. Houston, when a combination of terrible storms and illness stopped the team short of the 28,251-foot summit. Then on the descent, tragedy struck, and how the climbers made it back to safety is renowned in the annals of climbing.

K2, The Savage Mountain captures this sensational tale with an unmatched power that has earned this book its place as one of the classics of mountaineering literature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493050246
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	467,923
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Charles Houston and Robert Bates organized the American expeditions to K2 in 1938 and 1953. Houston, a doctor of internal medicine, taught at the University of Vermont. Bates, a past president of the American Alpine Club, received his doctorate in English and taught at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jonathan Waterman ix

1 The Call to Climb Charles S. Houston 1

2 Historical and Geographical Robert H. Bates 3

3 Preparations Robert H. Bates 15

4 To the Mountain Robert W. Craig 24

5 To the Foot of Abruzzi Ridge Charles S. Houston 39

6 The Attack Is Launched Charles S. Houston 47

7 Storm Warning Charles S. Houston 58

8 Steep Rock and Steep Ice Charles S. Houston 69

9 The Highest Men in the World Charles S. Houston 76

10 The Accident Robert H. Bates 91

11 The Bivouac Robert H. Bates 101

12 From Camp VII to Camp II Robert H. Bates 111

13 Base Camp Again Robert H. Bates 125

14 Out from the Mountain George I. Bell 130

Appendixes 141

Chronology 143

Equipment Charles S. Houston 147

Food Robert H. Bates 159

Medical Problems Charles S. Houston, M.D. 165

Finances Charles S. Houston 174

Transport Capt H.R. Streather 177

Acknowledgments 183

Index 185

About the Author 193

Editorial Reviews

"Houston and Bates were the first Americans to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain peak. Such an endeavor is remarkably dangerous even now, but reading of the use of equipment as simple as woolen mittens, canvas and wood packs, etc., illustrates the bravery—or perhaps foolhardiness—of such an undertaking then. Five Miles High covers their first climb in 1938 (this account was published a year later), while 1954's K2 chronicles the 1953 climb, which proved far more difficult." —Library Journal


"Here is a great story, simply and grippingly told, which the glory of Everest should not be allowed to obscure." —New York Times

From the Publisher