Book Review & Giveaway: The World’s Longest Climb

Meet Pauline. Someone who calls herself ordinary. I think she needs a dictionary.

This remarkable woman was one of six Everestmax Expedition members – a team led by Dom Faulkner with the stated objective of cycling from the Dead Sea in Jordan to the Rongbok Monastery in Tibet, followed by a climb of Mount Everest – all in the span of six months.

Pauline completed every inch of it and The World’s Longest Climb, Dead Sea to Everest Summit is her account of the 2005-2006 trip.

How and why Pauline, a middle-aged, married marketing manager ended up on the Everestmax team is the subject of the first third of the book. It’s a fast, fun section to read. Her obvious determination, zest for life and excitable disposition ring clear. So does her ability to embrace adversity.

The next 100 pages take you from the Dead Sea in Jordan, 8000 kilometers through to Tibet via Syria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal. Each country gets its own chapter complete with a brief overview of pertinent facts about that country – for example, population, life expectancy and GDP per capita. I find these facts are helpful in putting the country into context.

Then there are the stories, the trials and hardships as well as the highlights of each country. Included in every chapter are many beautiful, colour photos.

The team enjoys a support staff of two – Ro and Dickie. Combined they are responsible for shopping, arranging accommodation, border control, bureaucracy as well as general admin and life. Pauline gives them full credit throughout the book for making the expedition member’s lives easier. I like that.

The last section of the book deals with the Mount Everest climb and the challenge of incorporating new team members (her husband included) with varying personal goals into a team with a common focus. Pauline handles this section with aplomb and it makes for great reading.  If you’ve never read a mountaineering book before you’ll get a real sense of what  life is like on a big mountain – the tedium followed by heart pounding climbs, the effects of low oxygen and the feeling of living on the edge.

Inside the front cover you’ll find the full day to day itinerary with mileage. Maps are included though I wish she’d added detailed maps at the start of each country chapter – but I’m a map lover so that omission won’t bother everyone. At times there is repetition on the theme of what a great group dynamic the team enjoyed. Fortunately it can be overlooked.

The World’s Longest Climb is 243 pages in length – and coffee table material. Although it’s softcover the book has some heft to it.

My hat goes off to Pauline – for sharing her adventurous spirit, for showing that middle-age is only a state of mind and for inspiring other would be adventurers, myself included, to think big and to have dreams, no matter what your age.

A Giveway of The World’s Longest Climb

I have one book to give away to a reader in Canada or the US who leaves a comment on my blog by Saturday, November 26th at midnight (MST) with an answer to this question. A winner will be chosen at random.

Of the eight countries Pauline visited – Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Tibet – which one would you like to see for yourself and why?

The World’s Longest Climb is available for sale on Amazon for £19 ($Cdn 30.82) though on Amazon in Canada it’s $63 – all the more reason to leave a comment. This book would make a great Christmas gift – especially for the adventurer in your life.

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HikeBikeTravel
Twitter: @hikebiketravel

 

 

 

 

Here’s one comment I got in my inbox.

I think this book would inspire me to travel to Nepal because Nepal

is tucked away in the highest mountain range in the world, and has

been labeled the 'last paradise' on earth. The people are supposed to

be really welcoming and I would like to experience this. I would like

to do some trekking and view Mount Everest. Ever since a friend showed

me their photos of Mt Everest with so much of it above the clouds I

have wanted to see this. Also I would like to experience the Buddhist

temples and have some spiritual experiences in Nepal. (from Lesley Swirhun)

Note: Barry Taylor from Hiking with Barry is the winner of a copy of the book. Thanks to all who entered.

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