Lots of times when you’re on a high mountain expedition, you’ll have a rest day so that your body can acclimate to the altitude. That means a lot of downtime in your tent.
Here are five mountain books to pass the time and hopefully inspire you:
Arlene Blum’s Annapurna: A Woman’s Place tells the groundbreaking story of the first American all-women’s expedition to summit Annapurna, one of the deadliest peaks in the world. Set against the backdrop of the 1978 climb, the book highlights not only the physical challenges of high-altitude mountaineering but also the social dynamics of an all-female team in a male-dominated sport. Blum, both leader and visionary, guides her team through avalanches, brutal weather, and personal sacrifice, illustrating the grit and resilience required to conquer a mountain where one in three climbers doesn’t return. This book is an empowering testament to women’s capabilities in extreme environments, showing that a woman’s place is, indeed, on top of the world.
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Jon Krakauer’s classic Into Thin Air is a haunting firsthand account of the 1996 Everest disaster, where eight climbers tragically lost their lives in a fierce storm. Krakauer, on assignment for Outside magazine, brings readers into the harrowing experiences that unfolded on the world’s highest peak. With sharp prose and vivid detail, he explores the physical dangers, the psychological toll, and the ethical questions that emerged from the disaster. As Krakauer reflects on the decisions that led to the deaths and near-deaths of those on the mountain, Into Thin Air becomes more than just a tale of survival—it’s an exploration of human ambition, mortality, and the unforgiving nature of Everest itself.
3. Touching the Void by Joe Simpson
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson is an astonishing true story of survival against the odds. In 1985, Simpson and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, successfully reached the summit of the previously unclimbed West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. However, the descent turned catastrophic when Simpson broke his leg, and Yates was forced to cut the rope that connected them in order to save his own life. Left for dead and plunged into a crevasse, Simpson somehow crawls back to base camp, defying all logic and expectation. The book’s raw depiction of suffering, friendship, and survival is a harrowing reminder of how fragile life becomes in the face of nature’s extremes.
4. Minus 148 Degrees, the First Winter Ascent of Mount McKinley by Art Davidson
Minus 148 Degrees by Art Davidson recounts the first winter ascent of Mount McKinley (now Denali), North America’s highest peak, in 1967. Davidson, alongside his seven teammates, faces unimaginable cold—temperatures plummet to minus 148 degrees Fahrenheit—hence the title. Their story of endurance and determination unfolds as they battle severe frostbite, dwindling supplies, and constant isolation. It’s a tale of survival, teamwork, and the mental and physical toll that comes with high-altitude winter climbing. Davidson’s vivid descriptions and emotional depth bring this terrifying expedition to life, showing readers the often-overlooked human side of mountaineering adventures.
5. Imaginary Peaks, by Katie Ives
Katie Ives’ Imaginary Peaks explores the fascinating intersection of fantasy, exploration, and deception in mountaineering history. It centers on the 1962 "Riesenstein Hoax," where a group of climbers created fake photographs and reports of a non-existent mountain range in Canada, sparking excitement and intrigue in the climbing community. But Ives delves deeper than just the hoax itself, using it as a jumping-off point to explore the nature of exploration, the allure of the unknown, and the human fascination with imagined landscapes. Part adventure story, part meditation on the power of myth, Imaginary Peaks speaks to the dreamer in all of us, reminding readers of the irresistible pull of the mountains, whether real or imagined.
That’s our list, what’s yours? Any favorite mountain books to share?