The Tower: A Chronicle of Climbing and Controversy on Cerro Torre

by Kelly Cordes

Overview

Patagonia’s Cerro Torre, considered by many the most beautiful peak in the world, draws the finest and most devoted technical alpinists to its climbing challenges. But controversy has swirled around this ice-capped peak since Cesare Maestri claimed first ascent in 1959. Since then a debate has raged, with world-class climbers attempting to retrace his route but finding only contradictions. This chronicle of hubris, heroism, controversies and epic journeys offers a glimpse into the human condition, and why some pursue extreme endeavors that at face value have no worth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781938340338
Publisher:	Patagonia
Publication date:	12/16/2014
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	227,145
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Kelly Cordes maximizes outdoor time and climbing alpine-style routes. His climbing includes the first ascent of the Azeem Ridge in “disaster style.” He writes to support his passion for climbing and is a Patagonia Ambassador. He lives in Estes Park, CO.

Table of Contents

Part One
Toni, Toni, Toni
In the Beginning
1959
Origins of Belief
Doubt, Rage and a Gas-Powered Compressor
Ragni di Lecco
Body Parts and Evidence
Poseidon and Zeus
Cold Reality
Unraveling Egger’s Death
Blessed by Bridwell

Part Two
The Road to Hell and a Bridge to Paradise
Cerro Torre’s Greatest Lover
Faith, Fantasy and the Power of Myth
Insight from Reinhold
Solidarity Unveiled

Part Three
New Patagonia
El Arca de Los Vientos
Stop Making Sense
Los Tiempos Perdidos
A New Story
Demystification of a Massif
Contrast on the Southeast Ridge

Part Four
Six Days
Anger
A Conversation in Italy
El Chalten
Another Lie
The Man and the Mountains
Truth

Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

Winner for Banff Mountain Book Awards, 2015, Mountain and Wilderness Literature — Nonfiction

The contrast between the old and the new, very centered opinions by the author and a twist at the end that I was certainly not expecting made it one of the best mountain books I ever read. Cheers to Cordes and his brilliantly written book Thecampsiteblog.com

The Tower by Kelly Cordes is one, if not the best modern mountaineering book I've had the pleasure to read in a long time. Careful though. This is a book that is not easy to sit down. Sad part is, the book does has an ending. coldthistle.com

I simply loved this book, and I’m a weary veteran of one-too-many armchair mountaineering reads, not as easily impressed as I once was by any slab of paper with a mountain on the cover and photos inside of manly men with frost in their beards. I tore through The Tower in two nights, this with a newborn in the house: it’s a classic. climbingterms.com

Kelly Cordes has penned one of the most fascinating and well-written chronicles of Cerro Torre, one of the most beautiful, infamous and important mountains in the world. This is a must-have for any armchair mountaineer and history buff. Gripping read from start to finish. eveningsends.com

No mountain in the world is so otherworldly and has such a troubled history. This book is the most in-depth look yet. It examines the social and psychological context that has sparked fifty years of controversies and rivalries, and how belief influences everything we—both climbers and all of mankind—do.–Climber Rolando Garibotti, author of Patagonia Vertical

combining cutting-edge climbing talent, a wicked sharp pen (okay, keyboard), and a passion for accuracy in mountain reporting.
— John Harlin III, author of The Eiger Obsession

With passion, literary skill, and relentless curiosity, top-shelf alpinist Kelly Cordes takes us on a wild ride through the controversial history of Patagonia’s Cerro Torre—the most perfect mountain on earth.
Gregory Crouch, author of Enduring Patagonia

Kelly Cordes embodies the climbing spirit more than anyone I know. I admire him for the way he devotes himself completely to writing and the mountains. He is also my favorite storyteller. I can think of no one better to write the story of Cerro Torre.
-Tommy Caldwell, professional climber

From the Publisher