Book Review: No Shortcuts To The Top by Ed Viesturs
Book Review: No Shortcuts To The Top by Ed Viesturs
No Shortcuts to the Top, by Ed Viesturs, is an autobiography retelling the stories, trials and tribulations of the author’s life. Lucky for us that Mr. Viesturs’ life is anything but ordinary and his stories of high elevation mountaineering are gripping and inspiring.
This book is a compilation of stories that detail Ed Viesturs’ life from childhood through vet school, through marriage and the completion of “Endeavor 8000” and almost up to the present. This book is more of a collection of stories, grouped by relevance than a chronology which may present a bit of a challenge to linear thinkers but his stories are griping and honest and a great read.
In his quest to complete “Endeavor 8000”, to climb the world’s 14 peaks that rise above 8,000 meters, Mr. Viesturs has made many friends, has been to places that are unfathomable to visit and balanced a family life. His mantra “Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory”, the rational, collected, and calm decision making upon which he relies is perhaps the greatest lesson one can learn from the book. It is also what made him successful in the end. He is perhaps the ultimate “Risk Manager”.
Called by Jon Krakauer “a genuine american hero”, Mr. Viesturs has seen his share of tragedy on the mountain, including the 1996 Everest disaster. He has been there to assist when other climbers were in danger even sacrificing his own summit bids. His integrity and dedication to both other people and his goals are unwavering. We can all learn something about humanity from Ed Viesturs.
From mountain guiding on Mt. Rainer, to climbing (and returning from) the world’s 14 highest peaks (without bottled oxygen), to running the New York Marathon, to an Arctic adventure with the likes of Will Steger and Sir Richard Branson, Viesturs has packed more into his life than most people can imagine. He shows caution and reverence to the places he visits and shows a deep respect for the people he has met along the way.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of No Shortcuts To The Top. Curl up with some hot cocoa, a warm blanket and spend sometime getting to know Ed Viesturs.
