Review by LangDave -- The Altitude Journals
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LangDave
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Review by LangDave -- The Altitude Journals
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Altitude Journals by Dave Mauro
Summary—Dave Mauro is a 44-year-old financial planner who went through a divorce after nearly a decade of marriage. But despite a comfortable lifestyle and a steady job, Mauro apparently decides to step out of his comfort zone by eventually climbing The Seven Summits. It starts with an invite to Denali from a friend, but somehow Mauro raises the bar despite minimal odds of succeeding. But the story also attempts to parallel that just like climbing even one of The Seven Summits, everyday life can have its formidable difficulties along with everlasting rewards.
Review—Dave Mauro is a 44-year old financial planner living in Washington State. He has a steady job, he leads a comfortable lifestyle, he is a family man, and Dave has been a member of the local theatre. One might think, he leads a charmed life. But after nearly a decade of marriage, Mauro gets a divorce and he gets to see his sons periodically after the separation.
But Mauro did begin the book by saying he believes life has an incredible path for each of us, prompting a decision to try mountain climbing. A friend who is a TV news anchor in Alaska invited Dave to his first climb as part of the friend’s attempt to do a second documentary on Denali in 2007, eight years after winning an Emmy for the first documentary in 1999. The second documentary was inspired by the advent of High-Definition Television.
As I read about the May 2007 climb of Denali, it soon becomes quickly evident that Dave is viewed as a leader who won’t quit, as other expedition participants were being reduced in numbers. This comes as possible hurdles or premature endings included frostbite or being trapped in storms.
It’s worth underscoring that even when a climber is very close to achieving the goal of summiting Denali, there was still the possibility it could end in an instant. The reader can learn that upon coming to page 77 when Mauro says from just 60-feet from the summit, “Focus” and “Don’t blow it”.
On to the Kilimanjaro climb chapter, Dave had a recurring “Lion Dream” when he visualized the lion going in the direction of Kilimanjaro. This was the basis of the Kilimanjaro climb to take place in January 2008. Prior to the climb, Dave also met an eventual girlfriend named Lin, who became very supportive of his missions, even with the possibilities of not returning home.
The next chapter addressed “The Top of the Bottom” or Vinson Massif, Antarctica’s highest peak . As I have been becoming accustomed to reading about day-to-day treks and camp stops, there was a surprising break in the storyline when a guide named Doug had a confrontation with Dave, accusing Dave of “Mocking him”. I had to wonder what provoked that outburst. But I salute Mauro for not letting it get the better of him, because there was a bigger task at hand of going up the headwall . It was a task that had Mauro and three other climbers clipped one-by-one.
When Mauro wrote about his return from Antarctica and Vinson Massif, he mentioned frost-nipped fingers, nerve damage, and other injuries. He vowed to take a year off from climbing and it appeared he was transitioning back into a comfortable lifestyle in his Washington State hometown. I had to wonder, why didn’t the book end there? Why couldn’t Dave decide enough was enough? But his spirit to keep going was truly admirable.
This leads to the next chapter on The Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea. Mauro previously outlined there were a number of costs as opposed to benefits for visiting New Guinea which include Malaria, leeches en-masse, and cannibalism. Mauro also called the Carstensz Pyramid “The most technical climb”. His prior training regimens included yoga and utilizing a YMCA climbing wall.
It was truly uplifting to know that a 61-year-old woman named Carol was set to make the Pyramid climb her final summit. I’ll leave it up to the reader to find out the ending.
Interesting to note, there was also a chapter subsection called “Why Expedition Porters Disappear Each Day at Three”. No spoilers here either.
Now I’m on to reviewing the final chapter of Mount Everest. Everest is capital F formidable based on what I’ve read in Mauro’s book. Mauro called the climb “A Grand Wager” which was not only about up to 100-thousand dollars in non-refundable fees, equipment purchases, pre-training, and mental fatigue. Mauro makes it clear a climber on Everest could pay with his or her life. A climber could encounter icefalls that can kill masses and he mentions at upper echelon heights, bottled oxygen is used. One immediate thought I had, I hope the climber has enough bottled oxygen.
Let me close by saying I was fascinated by what Dave Mauro said on page 438, yet I am condensing the quote, “I have read the opinions of those who have done for bragging rights or status. This is pure nonsense. No ego is large enough to get a climber to the summit of Everest. Period…..Better they should lie….and save the money.”
I will give the book Four out of Four Stars. His writing painted a very vivid picture of his day-to-day experiences on each of The Seven Summits. His words also vividly described the challenges and even the dangers one could experience and should take heed of if readers decide to climb any or all of the summits. I also could sense his passion in his writing. Great book.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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The Altitude Journals by Dave Mauro
Summary—Dave Mauro is a 44-year-old financial planner who went through a divorce after nearly a decade of marriage. But despite a comfortable lifestyle and a steady job, Mauro apparently decides to step out of his comfort zone by eventually climbing The Seven Summits. It starts with an invite to Denali from a friend, but somehow Mauro raises the bar despite minimal odds of succeeding. But the story also attempts to parallel that just like climbing even one of The Seven Summits, everyday life can have its formidable difficulties along with everlasting rewards.
Review—Dave Mauro is a 44-year old financial planner living in Washington State. He has a steady job, he leads a comfortable lifestyle, he is a family man, and Dave has been a member of the local theatre. One might think, he leads a charmed life. But after nearly a decade of marriage, Mauro gets a divorce and he gets to see his sons periodically after the separation.
But Mauro did begin the book by saying he believes life has an incredible path for each of us, prompting a decision to try mountain climbing. A friend who is a TV news anchor in Alaska invited Dave to his first climb as part of the friend’s attempt to do a second documentary on Denali in 2007, eight years after winning an Emmy for the first documentary in 1999. The second documentary was inspired by the advent of High-Definition Television.
As I read about the May 2007 climb of Denali, it soon becomes quickly evident that Dave is viewed as a leader who won’t quit, as other expedition participants were being reduced in numbers. This comes as possible hurdles or premature endings included frostbite or being trapped in storms.
It’s worth underscoring that even when a climber is very close to achieving the goal of summiting Denali, there was still the possibility it could end in an instant. The reader can learn that upon coming to page 77 when Mauro says from just 60-feet from the summit, “Focus” and “Don’t blow it”.
On to the Kilimanjaro climb chapter, Dave had a recurring “Lion Dream” when he visualized the lion going in the direction of Kilimanjaro. This was the basis of the Kilimanjaro climb to take place in January 2008. Prior to the climb, Dave also met an eventual girlfriend named Lin, who became very supportive of his missions, even with the possibilities of not returning home.
The next chapter addressed “The Top of the Bottom” or Vinson Massif, Antarctica’s highest peak . As I have been becoming accustomed to reading about day-to-day treks and camp stops, there was a surprising break in the storyline when a guide named Doug had a confrontation with Dave, accusing Dave of “Mocking him”. I had to wonder what provoked that outburst. But I salute Mauro for not letting it get the better of him, because there was a bigger task at hand of going up the headwall . It was a task that had Mauro and three other climbers clipped one-by-one.
When Mauro wrote about his return from Antarctica and Vinson Massif, he mentioned frost-nipped fingers, nerve damage, and other injuries. He vowed to take a year off from climbing and it appeared he was transitioning back into a comfortable lifestyle in his Washington State hometown. I had to wonder, why didn’t the book end there? Why couldn’t Dave decide enough was enough? But his spirit to keep going was truly admirable.
This leads to the next chapter on The Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea. Mauro previously outlined there were a number of costs as opposed to benefits for visiting New Guinea which include Malaria, leeches en-masse, and cannibalism. Mauro also called the Carstensz Pyramid “The most technical climb”. His prior training regimens included yoga and utilizing a YMCA climbing wall.
It was truly uplifting to know that a 61-year-old woman named Carol was set to make the Pyramid climb her final summit. I’ll leave it up to the reader to find out the ending.
Interesting to note, there was also a chapter subsection called “Why Expedition Porters Disappear Each Day at Three”. No spoilers here either.
Now I’m on to reviewing the final chapter of Mount Everest. Everest is capital F formidable based on what I’ve read in Mauro’s book. Mauro called the climb “A Grand Wager” which was not only about up to 100-thousand dollars in non-refundable fees, equipment purchases, pre-training, and mental fatigue. Mauro makes it clear a climber on Everest could pay with his or her life. A climber could encounter icefalls that can kill masses and he mentions at upper echelon heights, bottled oxygen is used. One immediate thought I had, I hope the climber has enough bottled oxygen.
Let me close by saying I was fascinated by what Dave Mauro said on page 438, yet I am condensing the quote, “I have read the opinions of those who have done for bragging rights or status. This is pure nonsense. No ego is large enough to get a climber to the summit of Everest. Period…..Better they should lie….and save the money.”
I will give the book Four out of Four Stars. His writing painted a very vivid picture of his day-to-day experiences on each of The Seven Summits. His words also vividly described the challenges and even the dangers one could experience and should take heed of if readers decide to climb any or all of the summits. I also could sense his passion in his writing. Great book.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like LangDave's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
