No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks: A Book Review

When reading the book "No Shortcuts To The Top: Climbing The World's 14 Highest Peaks" by Ed Viesturs, one is struck with a sense of awe. How is it that a man can climb 14 mountains that have peaks that are over 26, 247 feet above sea level? The author, not only successfully did it, but did it as a career.

Ed Viesturs grew up in Rockford, Illinois. While working on a veterinarian degree in Washington State, he fell in love with mountain climbing near Mt Rainer. He was able to get his first real taste of mountaineering as a climbing guide on this mountain. While it was no where near the difficulty of Mt. Everest or the other 13 highest mountains, it was here that Ed learned many valuable lessons.

Ed's first mountaineering teacher was Lou Whittaker, twin brother of Jim Whittaker. Jim Whittaker is the first American to ever climb Mt Everest, The tallest mountain in the world.

This book is a great read in several ways. First off, it is amazing to read how Ed Viesturs not only successfully climbed all fourteen of these mountains, but was the sixth man and first American to do so without the aid of supplemental oxygen. Climbing these big mountains is a feat in its own right, but at an altitude of 17,000 there is very little oxygen in the air. At his high altitude, commonly referred to as the "Death Zone". The human body begins to deteriorate.

Secondly, this book can be described as a kind of motivational book, like the self-help ones. To face the dangers of these mountains, that are known to take peoples lives, and successfully climb them, takes determination, planning and care. All of these characteristics are not lacking in Ed Viesturs. His motto, "Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory." is a motto anyone can apply to their own lives.

Several times Ed Viesturs gave up an attempt to reach the summit of one of these peaks, because he did not feel it was safe. One such event occurred three hundred feet from the peak of one of these mountains. Here he just did not like the look of things, turned around and climbed back down, knowing that he would have to come back on another trip to complete the climb.

Ed is not a selfish man either. Several times he was instrumental in the rescue of fellow climbers on these dangerous peaks. He did not do it for glory or pay. He rescued these climbers out of a sense of obligation. He never sought any kind of thanks, and even gave up chances to make the top of the particular mountain.

As you read his account of climbing these mountains, you will feel yourself propelled along with him. A particularly chilling account is his retelling of the 1996 Everest disaster made famous in "Into This Air" by Jon Krakauer.

This story can be an inspiration to anyone. There are many lessons to be learned from these pages. Being a husband and a father has challenges, but to follow your dreams and accomplish something of this magnitude is truly heroic.