Sacred summits: A climber's year

This book describes Boardman's climbs between December 1978 and November 1979 including the Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea (8 pages of colour photos), the impressive first ascent of Kangchenjunga North Ridge (8 pages of colour photos), and the first ascent of the South Summit of Gauri Shankar (8 pages of colour photos). The photos are very good. The cover photo is the west ridge of Gauri Shankar. Pete uses his diaries to tell his inner feelings, and spins a captivating story of the trek to base camp, his silly accident, and the personalities of Doug, Joe and Georges Bettembourg. Boardman, Joe Tasker and Doug Scott made it to the Kangchenjunga summit on May 15, 1979. Earlier in 1979 an American/Nepalese expedition led by Al Read made the first ascent of the North Summit of Gauri Shankar, with John Roskelley and Dorje Sherpa reaching the summit on May 8, 1979. Boardman then chose to try the West Ridge to the South Summit. This was as long, fine and intricate a ridge climb as has ever been done in the Himalaya, exposed for long sections and demanding sustained care. Boardman, Tim Leach, Guy Neidhardt, and Pemba Lama made it to the summit on November 8, 1979. "The ridge was a cutting edge between light and shade. A mighty barrier, it divided winds and snowstorms, cultures and countries. Also, it was our only delicate support between earth and sky." Pete Boardman and Joe Tasker disappeared in March 1982 climbing the North East Ridge of Everest. The Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature was established in their memory.