Review by Hallsword -- The Altitude Journals

[Hallsword]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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There is an entry in the official registry for those who’ve summited Mt. Everest that reads “David Jon Mauro, USA.” David is the 65th person to summit Mt. Everest. The Altitude Journals recounts Mauro’s seven year journey of climbing the Seven Summits. Beginning at the lowest point in his life with a seed planted months earlier by his brother in law, he decides to climb Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park.

Mauro weaves in details of the honest conditions at camps to provide a realistic picture of how difficult it was spending two months on a mountain. He tells of using his armpits to thaw cheese for a meal at Denali and how on Mt. Kilimanjaro people relieve themselves out in the open then place a rock over the excrement. The climb of Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea lays contrasts to previous climbs with this journey that took place in a hot, muddy jungle.

Mauro did not set the goal of climbing the Seven Summits upon reaching the top of Mt. McKinley, rather the goal became realized through the growth in his life during those seven years. He felt each mountain call to him when the time was right.

Foremost, I liked knowing that Mauro is a regular guy with a regular job who has similar life struggles to many people. This makes him more relatable to most readers even in such a large endeavor as mountain climbing. I enjoyed learning more about what it means to climb a mountain whether that be over ice-covered rock or up a muddy trail. I liked that Mauro included the history of the Sherpa furthering understanding that it isn’t a job title, but a people and their way of life. Mauro included humor along the way reminding the reader that even in the worst of times, we still have the ability to go with the flow and laugh along the way.

I give this book 4 out of 4 stars for Mauro’s ability to put the reader on the mountain with him. His account of each step of the climbs are so well done I could feel his labored breathing and fatigue as I read. The reader is enveloped so well into the journey that even though the reader knows from the Prologue Mauro was successful in summiting each mountain, his climbs of Aconcagua and Everest creates doubt and the reader must remind themselves that he does succeed. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure read or someone who enjoys reading about persons overcoming not just literal mountains but figurative mountains as well.

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The Altitude Journals
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[jcoad]

I loved this book. I found it fascinating how different the experience was on each peak. You did a great job laying out the book above and how he provides great details at each location. Thank you for your review!