Athans, Sandra K. Climbing Mt. Everest with Pete Athans: Tales from the Top of the World.

Athans, Sandra K.  Climbing Mt. Everest with Pete Athans: Tales from the Top of the World.  Millbrook Press/21st Century/Copper Beech             63p         $24.00   978-0-7613-65-6-8   2013      ms           E-BN         Nonfiction                           

This is a really well-put-together book that describes what it is like to climb Mount Everest, whose peak is about five miles above sea level, from the initial attempts long ago, to the science of mounting an expedition in the present day. There is a lot of discussion of the four base camps, the role that sherpas play in every expedition, and the equipment and techniques of climbing.  While magnificent photography illustrates various landmarks along the climb, the many hazards are also described in full.  Pete Athans has been dubbed “Mr. Everest” because of his many summits and his vast experience mountaineering, and throughout the book there are sidebars titled “Ask Mr. Everest” to answer questions that would be of interest to younger readers, such as “How do you go to the bathroom on Mount Everest?” (page 17), and “How did you become interested in high-altitude mountaineering?” (page 49).  Other text boxes talk about helicopter rescue on the mountain (page 42), and hyperthermia (page 27).

Mountaineering – Mount Everest                                                        --Lynn Fisher