Hiking Lady

Into the Wild is a great book! It combines adventure, a trek across the U.S., and the Alaskan wilderness with a deeper story line about a young man who questions societal norms.

As with many of Jon Krakauer’s books, the story is controversial. Was the protagonist, Christopher McCandless, irresponsible? Was he trying to prove something by living alone in the Alaskan wilderness? Perhaps he was the social misfit?

What do you think?

You can read my thoughts in my full review of Into the Wild.

If you’ve read my blog for awhile, then you probably are already familiar with the most famous American mountaineer, Ed Viesturs. Ed has climbed all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, and what is even more amazing is that he did so without supplemental oxygen!

Himalayan Quest was published in 2003, and is a compilation of photos from many of his death defying adventures. This self-proclaimed “incidental photographer” is a humble man: the pictures in this book are breathtaking!

Did this book get a 5 Star Ranking from the Hiking Lady? Read my full review of Himalayan Quest to find out.

If you have a fascination with adventure, and love to read stories about climbing Kilimanjaro (without a permit!), summiting K2, and exploring the Andes, then you’ll enjoy this book.

Check out my review of Risking Adventure: Mountaineering Journeys Around the World. Do you agree?

Have you ever thought about hiking the Appalachian Trail? I sure have!

A close hiking friend of mine insisted that I borrow her copy, and I swear I couldn’t put this book down. Obviously I am a fan of most books about hiking, but this one is truly special – Bill Bryson weaves into his humorous story loads of history and science, all while sharing the details of his adventure.

Read my full review of A Walk in the Woods here.

Renowned American mountaineer Ed Viesturs has just come out with a new book, called K2: Life and Death on the World’s Most Dangerous Mountain.

Until I watched the IMAX movie Everest, I had never heard of Ed Viesturs. But since then I’ve read his book Himalayan Quest, have heard about him in David Breashears book High Exposure, tweeted with him on Twitter, and now read his latest book!

He is not just an amazing mountaineer, but apparently Ed is a nice guy in person too. I haven’t met him yet, but a friend who has told me he’s humble and down to earth. That’s quite impressive for a guy who is the only American to have climbed all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, and done so without supplemental oxygen!

His book K2 is worth reading. Check out my review of K2: Life & Death on the World’s Most Dangerous Mountain here and let me know how you like the book.