Review by Cloverkisses24 -- The Altitude Journals

[Cloverkisses24]

[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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The Altitude Journals: A Seven-Year Journey from the Lowest Point in My Life to the Highest Point on Earth, by Dave Mauro is an inspiring story about a financial planner in his forties who through happenstance takes the opportunity to climb Denali, one of the world’s famous seven summits. Dave takes this journey during one of the most trying periods of his life and is met with all the challenges that a rookie would expect to encounter on such an expedition. In the meantime, he comes to realize weaknesses he has within himself and more importantly how to overcome them. Eventually, as Dave copes with his mental mountains, he dares to risk climbing one more, then another, and so on, until he meets the summit of Mt. Everest and becomes one of less than 450 people in the world to have climaxed all seven summits.

There is not a lot I can say negatively about this book. I adored it. Not only was this book written with humility from someone who has accomplished such an awe-inspiring feat but also it was scripted in such beautiful detail that it was easy to feel the struggles, the weather, and the beauty. Opposing but also symbiotic to the mountain climbing was the intimate details of Dave’s personal struggles. It felt endearing to be in those moments with him on his journey as these voyages took place. Exhausted and spent physically and mentally daily, Dave would still manage to find a way to write for his blog, or dictate his thoughts. I remember thinking to myself as I was reading, about how grateful I was that he had kept track of these thoughts and feelings during his climbs so this book could be written.

You do not need to know about mountain climbing or even be well versed in geography to read this book and enjoy it. It will still carry you away to special places. Fascinating as well, is that the details are described so articulately that we even get a glimpse into the preparations before voyaging to each destination. Each mountain has it’s own unique challenge, whether it be a different terrain or a different set of requirements; for instance, training may even be needed to create a leaner or broader body type. This book was so interesting and educational while also entertaining and easy to get lost into.

In all honesty, I’m not sure what I did not like about this book. Perhaps it could be longer? Already we as readers have been graciously given the stories of seven amazing expeditions all rolled into one book mixed with the backdrop of life events surrounding a male in his mid-life. Can we really ask for more? I guess I would want only to sit down with Dave Mauro asking questions after question to get a run down on every detail we, as readers, may have missed, allowing the new details to be carefully noted in a new edition, and then republished.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It’s sublime. It’s honest and moving. It took me away where I needed to go and I can’t wait to go again.

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The Altitude Journals
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