2002-04-03 They didn't succeed - but what a story!

I read this soon after 'Annapurna South Face' and enjoyed it even more - even though Bonington and his team failed to conquer Everest by this route. Bonington was becoming a better story-teller as each book appeared, and he told the story not only of his own expedition but of the preceding expeditions which also failed on this route. The politics, the jockeying for position and the personality clashes between the climbers - all strong-willed individuals, as you might expect - come across well and are as interesting as the actual climbing.
Once again I was enthralled by the feeling of danger, the elemental threat of the weather and the terrifying terrain. I really enjoyed this book, and like most stories I couldn't wait for the sequel - would they actually succeed next time? (Read 'Everest The Hard Way' if you want to find out!)