book 23 of 25

If you have ever wanted to climb Mt. Everest, don't read this book!  I have never wanted to climb Everest before and after reading this, I really don't want to climb it.  The author of the book is a journalist who was sent by Outside Magazine to do an article on the comercialization of Mt. Everest.  He took a year to get ready and then picked and paid a guide to take him to the summit.  Other people were also part of his group that were led by the said paid guide.  Some were experienced in different aspects of mountaineering (high altitude hiking, etc) others were not.  Those that were not were basically just rich enough to make the trek.  They summitted in May 1996.  They day the author made it to the top was a surreal day for him.  He accomplished something he wanted to do from an early age and he also witnessed the death of many he hiked with.  12 people died that day.  The book is the story of how the disaster happened.