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Ghosts of K2

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Ghosts of K2

By: Mick Conefrey
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
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About this listen

At 28,251 feet, K2 might be almost 800 feet shorter than Everest, but it’s a far harder climb. It will kill you on the way up and the way down.

Mick Conefrey guides us through the early story of the legendary mountain and the extraordinary attempts that led up to its first ascent in 1954 - these are tales of riveting drama and unimaginable tragedy.

Starting with the ill-fated attempts of the drug-addicted occultist Aleister Crowley and the wealthy Italian Duke of Abruzzi, the book then focusses on the three dramatic expeditions of 1939, 1953 and 1954.

The thread joining them together is the American Charlie Houston - a brilliant but tortured expedition leader who dreamed of being the first man to make it all the way to the top.

Based on exclusive interviews with surviving team members and their families and access to diaries and letters that have been archived around the world, this is a narrative that evokes the true atmosphere of the 'Savage Mountain' and explores the complicated legacy of the first ascent.

Wrought with tension and populated by tragic heroes and eccentric dreamers, Ghosts of K2 is a masterpiece of mountaineering literature.

©2015 Mick Conefrey (P)2015 Audible, Ltd Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Climbing & Mountaineering Ecosystems & Habitats Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Outdoor Adventure

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All stars
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totally enthralling, I never really knew the history of K2 the first ascent , I knew that it had a reputation for people loosing their life trying to climb it, but never to the extent explained in the book. loved it.

great listen.

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I say 2hrs too long because it deals with the almighty tedious aftermath of the successful K2 expedition.

A heroically pointless debate arose when the Italian climbers returned home fuelled by a desire for some in the party to retain a prominent part of the story.

All sensible writers do by indulging this twaddle is keep the wheel spinning. Did the Summit pair have 10hrs of oxygen or 12 hours? Was camp 9 set up to deliberately foil the plans of Bonatti? Did an eagle steal Cimpagnoni's glove? Was it all faked like the moon landings or gravity?

At one point it is stated 'in 2004 new evidence came to light."

50 years after the expedition! The evidence being there was 12 hours oxygen not 10 for the Summit duo. So what?

Controversy sells - we know that but as controversies go, the aftermath of the K2 summit is so unbelievably tedious the whole bunch of self indulgent Italians should be written out of its narrative.

I would urge listeners to turn off when the summit duo reach base camp.

2hrs too long

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I enjoyed the previous account of Everest by this author/ narrator combination. My criticism there was the lack of emotion as the chronological account, at times, became a list of names and missions. I'm happy to say this new book addresses this issue and I found it much more personal. There were lots of little details which helped to shape the characters attempting to conquer K2.

This book follows the chronology of missions from the late 1930s and therefore involves a good number of characters as teams change each year. At times I lost track of which period was being covered but overall I enjoyed the dramatic telling. It's also interesting to hear about the history and politics of the region in which these great mountains reside. Although the trials and efforts of the various climbing teams are interesting and harrowing at times, K2 just doesn't have the same magic as Everest.

Solid historical account of K2 mountain

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A brilliant and unputdownable book in audio, you almost felt you were there, highly recommended.

K2 a novices introduction to real danger.

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I found this book fascinating. Who would have thought that climbing a mountain could be so political!? Really entertaining and I'm off to listen to a book about Everest now!

Fascinating

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Really good, well read, great detail, fascinating listen. Highly recommended, would listen to it again.

Excellent

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This book’s narrator is very English and is a great fit for the writing. The stories of each group of pioneers is beautifully told; details of equipment and organisation making for steady listening but then each time they start their ascents of K2 the tension ratchets up; excitement and terror at times. It was quite emotional in places. I found myself rooting for some parties more than others. A good bit of analysis towards the end was appreciated. And then to the modern day…K2 continues to attract mountaineers but remains a challenge to climb.
I would highly recommend the book - as an armchair alpinist or a seasoned climber, you’ll get an informative and, at times, a thrilling read.

Detailed and Exciting

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Excellent and well read, history documenting first and early ascents of K2. Thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Excellent and enjoyable

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Mick Conefrey never fails to deliver. This book is excellent both on Audible and in paper version. Unreservedly recommended!

Superb

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A really immersive education of climbers history with K2 throughout the 20th century. Having only really been intrigued to learn about Crowley and Epsteins attempts as I already knew the other stores, I was surprised when I found myself utterly absorbed by the authors in depth knowledge and research on these stories.

You will not want for information before during and after these epic adventures and may I also say that the narrator is absolutely superb. Eloquent well paced and interested in what he is reading.

Highly recommend this one.

Brilliant K2 History

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