Comments on: Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/ You. Me. We. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:20:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Linda J LeBlanchttp://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 Linda J LeBlanc Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:52:49 +0000 http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/#comment-1077 To see the story from the other side--that of the Sherpa porters who make reaching the summit possible, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Sherpas are the true heroes of Everest. Without their assistance, very few would reach the summit. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter’s point of view.Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.comBeyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewerConflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma. Richard Blake for Readers Views.A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.comA hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book ReviewLeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily CameraLeBlanc’s vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the WeekA rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.comThis is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended.” – John (college professor)Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialog. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CAThis superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novelsSuch vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It’s a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country. By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)Available through Barnes and Noble, Borders, amazon.com, Chesslerbooks.com, and the web site To see the story from the other side–that of the Sherpa porters who make reaching the summit possible, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc.
Sherpas are the true heroes of Everest. Without their assistance, very few would reach the summit. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter’s point of view.

Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to http://www.beyondthesummit-novel.com

Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer

Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.

A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com

A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review

LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera

LeBlanc’s vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week

A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com

This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended.”
– John (college professor)

Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialog. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA

This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels

Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It’s a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)

Available through Barnes and Noble, Borders, amazon.com, Chesslerbooks.com, and the web site

]]> By: priyahttp://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-1017 priya Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:55:02 +0000 http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/#comment-1017 Interesting read and comments .. Interesting read and comments ..

]]> By: Neelimahttp://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-1011 Neelima Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:23:49 +0000 http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/#comment-1011 Exactly Ashwin! I was shocked while i was reading the book. I didn't expect these sort of issues at all. Yes, i remember the thing about dead bodies too! It all added a creepy angle to the glorified mountaineering.Nepal Govt. has also conducted expeditions along with the tour operators to bring back some trash i believe. Exactly Ashwin! I was shocked while i was reading the book. I didn’t expect these sort of issues at all. Yes, i remember the thing about dead bodies too! It all added a creepy angle to the glorified mountaineering.

Nepal Govt. has also conducted expeditions along with the tour operators to bring back some trash i believe.

]]> By: Ashwin Baindurhttp://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-1010 Ashwin Baindur Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:45:30 +0000 http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/#comment-1010 The whole business of why we climb - 'because the mountains are there' - no longer holds true today. People climb for fame, achievement, setting records, collecting records and because its the done thing!The pits were reached when a dying Indian mountaineer in arly 2000s was passed by some foreign climbers intent on materialising their desire and their ilm crew intent on recording it.Mountains are inhabited not only by trash but also dead bodies. Quite a few on each popular mountain.The Army Engineers Nandadevi expedition of 1993 (see my post "Sarson Patal") brought back all the garbage it took and a ton more besides. They also cleaned all the campsites.Jon Krakeur's book really exposed the commercialisation of Everest climbing as none before. The whole business of why we climb – ‘because the mountains are there’ – no longer holds true today. People climb for fame, achievement, setting records, collecting records and because its the done thing!

The pits were reached when a dying Indian mountaineer in arly 2000s was passed by some foreign climbers intent on materialising their desire and their ilm crew intent on recording it.

Mountains are inhabited not only by trash but also dead bodies. Quite a few on each popular mountain.

The Army Engineers Nandadevi expedition of 1993 (see my post “Sarson Patal”) brought back all the garbage it took and a ton more besides. They also cleaned all the campsites.

Jon Krakeur’s book really exposed the commercialisation of Everest climbing as none before.

]]> By: Lakshmi Rajanhttp://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-1005 Lakshmi Rajan Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:45:07 +0000 http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/#comment-1005 Mt.Everest - Rested with trash. *sighs* Mt.Everest – Rested with trash. *sighs*

]]> By: Aneethttp://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-1004 Aneet Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:13:50 +0000 http://www.gingerchai.com/2009/09/18/into-thin-air-a-personal-account-of-the-mt-everest-disaster/#comment-1004 Yoicks! 50 tons of non-biodegradable trash!!! I would like to 'Yoick' again at the thought of it!!! Yoicks! 50 tons of non-biodegradable trash!!! I would like to ‘Yoick’ again at the thought of it!!!

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