There's something special about books. It's not just the written word, but something about the feel of, and from, the physical objects themselves. Delting a file on a computer is easy and can be done with hardly a second thought, but to bin a book seems somehow sacriligeous. Mountaineering books, in particular, hold a special place for the outdoors addict, bringing a mix of compelling storyline, insight into the minds of our top performers and a sense of familiarity from descriptions of places you can connect with.

 

Much of my youth was spent forsaking the latest best seller, or magazines, in favour of winter nights hunched over a torch lit copy of Herzog's Annapurna, Wilf Noyce's South Col and the mandatory Ascent of Everest by Sir John Hunt. Over the years they fell apart bit by bit, and only Hunt's mammoth volume got replaced but the images from all of them were burned into my mind to be revisited later either spiritually or occassionally geographically.The White Spider joined the list of essentials later, its graphic tale inspiring me to accept the Alps as a worthwhile destination and not just a poor man's Himalaya. In a world where change seems a constant, with the objects that clutter our homes now being the themes of "science fiction" even 35 years ago, the mountains are a sanctuary of  consistancy and the descriptions as valid now as they were even before I was born. There's an amazing feeling of almost deja vue when you visit some remote location and the sight in front of you is a a visualisation of the words you've read so many times. To visit first and read later is equally stimulating, transporting you back to not just a place but to feelings, experiences and a time in your life when you shared a similar dream to an author.

 

Over the years I've built up a fair collection of books on mountain themes, and though many remain on the shelves in near pristine condition after just a single read it only takes a single glance at the spines to refresh the mind of the contents of adventure, adversity and a shared love.  Now it's time for me to continue the cycle with my own children, of passing on the value of these diaries of exploration, and in the process to differentiate those that have exceptional qualities from the run of the mill offerings. In doing this I felt it also worthwhile to pass this analysis to a wider audience with a series of reviews. So I begin a list of my favopurite mountain books.

 

 

There's thousands of books on our planet's highest mountains, and distilling these to a few essentials is a hard task - and is perhaps the only list for which I'd specify an order of reading. Some may find it strange that the name Chris Bonnington is missing considering the vast number of published titles from Britain's best known living mountaineer, but ths is down to a personal appreciation of writing styles rather than any feeling on the achievements of a man who has done so much for the average person's perception of mountaineering. For me his writing is very much in keeping with his style of leadership - highly organised and almost scientific as opposed to free flowing and filled with feeling.

 

THE classic book on Everest. Written in 1953 this is the definitive acoount of the first acsent of the highest mountain in the world. It's not exactly the most readable book, in many ways taking the style expected by an army officer giving a report, but the chapter describing the final triumph as Hillary and Tenzing made their way to the summit and then their descent to rejoin the rest of the party is a timeless classic. It's still hard, years after the first reading, to revisit this description without getting swept up with the emotion of two young men literally at the pinnacle of a nations hopes.

 

Recounting one man's version of the tragic events of 1996 where a killer storm hit climbers above the South Col this book has spawned both controversy and a film. As a story the narrative is gripping, written by an accomplished writer and journalist in a style that lends itself to the Hollywood treatment. It's recommended, however, not for its factual assessment of a tragic event but for the way in which a story can get twisted to suit a purpose.Whilst an essential read this should be consumed in combination with the following book to make atrue analysis of events.

 

An essential read for anyone who's lapped up the story of Into Thin Air. This is the account of Anatoli Boukreev,  one of the true heroes of twentieth century mountaineering during the storm of 1996. Vilified in Krakauer's account this well researched volume gives a more factual account of how one man's exceptional actions saved the lives of several mountaineers above the South Col in devastating conditions. Backed up with transcripts and supporting evidence it sets the record straight in such a way that no matter how readable the quality of Krakauer's writing I can never be persuaded to pick up another book by a man I now feel to be discredited and unreliable. Also worth a mention here are Beck Wethers and Matt Dickinson, both who have written on the events of 1996.

 

An omnibus of the combined works of two of Briatain's finest writers, comprising Savage Arena (Tasker), The Shining Mountain (Boardman), Sacred Summits (Boardman) and Everest The Cruel Way (Tasker). This single collection covers a golden age of British Himalayan mountaineering from the mid 70's to the early 80's. For inspiration combined with a frightening sense of realism there is nothing to compare with this collection. The death of this dynamic duo on the North East Ridge of Mount Everest in 1982 not only robbed climbing of one of it's foremost pairings but robbed the world opf mountain literature of two of its finest ever writers.

 

INspired by the likes of Boardman and Tasker, Andy Cave is the climbing Billy Elliot of the once proud coal mining industry. This book goes beyond a simple telling of a decade of mountain life, but gives an insight of a person fighting to find a way from the dark recesses of South Yorkshire coal mining in the Thatcher years to the heights of Changabang and the feelings of freedom found on the end of a rope. Compulsive reading this is a book that once started it's hard to put down.

 

More to come......

This afternoon brought an interesting email on the spread of the outdoors to the urban environment with news of a major festival in the middle of Sheffield. It brings into focus what appears to be a major movement to integrate the two hitherto distinct worlds.

 

Of course the first inroads were when outdoor clothing started becoming fashionable. Now whether this was just down to millions of walkers finally deciding they wanted more than the standard boring colours and started making demands, or whether it was more commercially led as companies like TNF looked for new markets. The Mera Peak suddenly became the "must have" item for chavs - but again that could have as much to do with the properties of the garment and it's suitability for the the less than clement weather of the northern cities (and of course a good hood). Whatever the reason it's indisputable that outdoor clothing is almost as common on the high street now as on High Street.

 

Then came The Rat Race, with its urban adventure races around city centres. Now we The Cliffhanger, a festival of the outdoors in the heart of one of the country's biggest cities. Now Sheffield's always been an urban centre for c limbers, initially as a nearby base for the gritstone edges and then a standard setting centre for indoor climbing walls - but this event takes things a step further. Featuring The British Bouldering Championships, an Alpine Beer Festival, climbing walls, reverse bungee, orienteering races and the obligatory open air market the event is covering 90,000 square metres of Graves Park on July 14th/15th. For more info check out  www.cliff-hanger.co.uk .

 

I'm not really sure what to think about it all and the implications for the outdoors. On the one hand it's great to see the outdoors still attracting new people but at the end of the day it's a finite resource that's already suffered badly in places from overuse. Perhapos this movement will bring some of the activities to the urban environment and in so doing keep a percentage of people in that environment rather than adding pressure to the more scenic areas we love.

So much for taking action on climate change! Next week I have to make the journey from Cheshire to London, and need to be there for 10am. The thoughts of a 3 hour drive down the M6/M1 then the car park that is the M25 didn't exactly fill me with enthusiasm so I started looking at the alternatives. Given that Macclesfield is on the main Manchester to London line my first thoughts turned to the train - much publicised as an alternative to excessive car use. The cost - a whopping £216 return to be there in time!!! I could drive part way, say Hemel Hempstead or Luton (if I want to miss the perpetual M1 roadwork traffic jam) then train the rest of the way, but that combines the worst of both worlds rather than the best of both and there's the add on costs of both car parking and a tube ticket. A little research reveals that the cheapest way by far is to fly! Now there's something seriously wrong when you can park up and fly Manchester (25 mins drive) to London, and get the tube tickets for less than half the price of a return rail ticket (without parking at the station etc).

 

Following on from the  School of self publicity yesterday an undercover PR agent was revealed yesterday, lurking on the threads of Outdoors Magic.Singing the praises of one of the countres leading mountainers on such a forum is nothing unexpected, but it transpires that the person launching the congratulatory thread just happens to run the agency that holds, or did hold, the publicity account for the cmpany where he is lead guide. Now there's nothing wrong with drumming up your own business, but surely a poster should reveal their affiliation - though they're by no means the first industry insider to hide their affiliation at first.  When asked about it though, they did have the grace to admit their roll, though obviously it would have been better from the start - but better late than never as they say.

 

Meanwhile back on OM it seems some people have found a purpose in life in hunting down any little thing they can use to attack people. For one who boasts of liking going out in all weathers and all seasons it's amazing how much time one can spend looking for the smallest little thing to pick on. Well children will be children. One day maybe a supreme negativity will become a supreme social skill, but I won't hold my breath.