Beyond Possible – Nimsdai Purja

My most recent book that joined me to Patagonia. Many people have watched the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing is impossible but the book really grips you. It covers Nim’s childhood and selection into the Gurkhas. Then the brutal selection for Special Forces and compares warfare to high altitude mountainineering. This book gave me a determined warriors mentality for when trekking and a respect for the mountains. It brings to light the impact of climate change on Nepal and the hard work the Sherpa community does for climbers. Overall it was an easy to read book that shows that you can push your mind and body beyond your limitations and explore unknown challenges,

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ascent – Chris Bonington

Britain’s best-known climber invites you to learn about his upbringing and passion for climbing. Ascent is a truly inspirational book by Bonington covering successful expeditions from all corners of the globe. It is simply amazing what was achieved with limited knowledge and kit but pure talent and determination. I appreciated the brutal honesty across all of the triumphs, victory, tragedy, love and loss. The memoir will cover expeditions up the Eiger, Annapurna, and Everest as well as into Patagonia, Greenland and Morocco. The style is absorbing and lighter than other climbing books. Bonington’s longevity and focus on family separates it from the rest.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer

Gripping! I bought this book in Kathmandu after a successful bargain and read half the book on the flight back to the UK. I had seen the 2015 Hollywood film but this book portrayed the events which occurred in the death zone in such detail without the added visual drama. The history of Everest and why it appeals to climbers was particularly interesting. The book brings a level of eyewitness reporting along with tension. It also touches on the controversy and aftermath of the disaster. I can safely say I won’t be climbing Everest anytime soon!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Touching the Void – Joe Simpson

One of the most inspiring stories about resilience and determination. The book covers in detail the climb up Siula Grande in Peru between Joe Simpson and his partner, Simon. It is incredibly hard to read in places and similar to White Spider is very technical so can be difficult to read. When the accidents happen and the survival phase kicks it, you feel the hopelessness and the insignificance compared to the mighty Andes mountains. The graphical descriptions of the injuries will make you wince but in the end, you will have an appreciation for how Joe miraculously survived and the dangers of high-altitude mountains.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

White Spider – Henrich Harrer

COVID-19 Lockdown had hit and I needed an escape into a book. I had heard of the infamous North Face of the Eiger and was desperate to be in the mountains. So learning about the attempts up the Eiger was what kickstarted my deep interest in mountaineering. It took me a while to learn the climbing terminology but Harrer writes about the numerous tragedies before the first successful attempt. You feel the power of the mountain and the obstacles which threatened the group’s lives as they scaled what seemed like the impossible.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seven Years in Tibet – Henrich Harrer

After reading White Spider by Harrer, I decided to read his most famous book, 7 Years in Tibet. I had little knowledge of Tibet beforehand and the forbidden country sounds worlds apart from the UK. The journey that Harrer and Aufschnaiter went through to escape a prison of war camp, evade authorities, and navigate the nomadic lifestyle to eventually arrive in Lhasa is compelling. The link between the Dalai Lama and Harrer was fascinating and further continued my curiosity about Buddhism after my Nepalese trip. I have since lent this book to my friend while we climbed through the Dolomites so has been well travelled!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Annapurna – Cicerone

My trusted trekking guide to Annapurna during my Himalayan adventures. It might not have been as engaging as the other books but this guide gave me peace of mind about what to expect on the Annapurna Circuit. I appreciated the local history, maps and recommendations for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Manang. It was a small book and waterproof cover which was handy to pack away and not worry about. It is very comprehensive and provides step-by-step details of the route. I read this while in Nepal and the Lonely Planet trekking book beforehand which helped me with my preparation.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Canada – Lonely Planet

During the 2 week trip to Western Canada, this guide book had incredible depth and recommendations for Banff, Jasper, whistler, Vancouver Island, Victoria and Vancouver. A hefty book to carry but is the go to guide that gives brief history of different regions. As well as restaurants, attractions and accommodation suggestions plus what is less relevant. I found the advice on wildlife preparation useful about Bear safety. And while most people could do with a smaller focused guide book, the Lonely Planet style has always helped me get the most out of my travels.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nepal Trekking – Lonely Planet

I was leant this Lonely Planet guide and was invaluable in my preparation. It had a great section on the Annapurna Circuit with the different towns and descriptions of the trail. It also covered Pokhara and Kathmandu with great recommendations that were only slightly outdated. I did not take this on my travels but really helped me learn about some of the Nepalese culture and history. The advice on high altitude acclimatisation was useful in clarifying some confusing info online. If you’re hiking or trekking in Nepal, I would recommend the Lonely planet over the Cicerone guide.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐