Cloud Dancers: Portraits of North American Mountaineers

Cloud Dancers: Portraits of North American MountaineersBy Jonathan WatermanThis rhapsodic collection of 16 mountaineering features profiles of men and women who have been internationally acclaimed for advancing the art of mountaineering to new heights. Most of these mountaineers have played crucial roles in the evolution of Himalayan mountaineering-usually considered the ultimate frontier by any climber who wears double boots.Written by climbers for climbers, Cloud Dancers shows the evolution of North American mountaineering. Herein is the hall of fame. Collectively, the achievement of Waterman's subjects include: new routes and oxygen-mask free ascents of 8000-meter peaks; the most difficult route up Everest; first female ascent of Makalu; a new route and second ascent of Gasherbrum IV; big wall climbs on Himalayan peaks; the first ascent of a 7,000-meter peak. This esteemed gathering of mountaineers includes Yvon Chouinard, Charles Houston, Rick Ridgeway, John Roskelley, Mugs Stump, Bradford Washburn, Kitty Calhoun, among others.Selected from such magazines as Climbing, Men's Journal and Rolling Stone.