Everest, Inc. by Will Cockrell #
Everest, Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell (audio). This book chronicles the history of the commercial guiding industry on Everest, departing from standard books about Everest in taking a wide view on the history of this peak instead of recounting particular experiences. It also departs from standard tales of Everest by not force-feeding the reader with a particular viewpoint on issues like overcrowding and the like. The tale begins with Dick Bass’ ascent as part of his endeavor to be the first person to climb the “seven summits” (highest point on each continent).I first heard of Bass thanks to a statue at Snowbird, which he owned and operated for many years as well. Although the plaquard conveyed some of his colorful story, I didn’t know the extent of his fame or the influence of the resulting book that he wrote. Bass might be singlehandedly responsible for the “rich tourist” stereotype of guided clients on Everest. Although Bass paid mountain guides to go on his trips, he was a member of a climbing team and not officially a client of a guiding service. The book then recounts the race to become the first commercial operation to take a client to the summit of EverestIn 1991! I didn’t realize how recent it was. as well as many ensuing developments, including the two most tragic yearsOne being the day recounted in Krakauer’s Into Thin Air. and the development of Nepali-owned and operated guiding services.The book dedicates a whole chapter to Nimsdai, which is apprropriate given his fame. Although it does a good job explaining the love/hate dynamic around a polarizingly self-aggrandizing figure, the chapter does not at all mention the extremely detailed New York Times piece accusing him of sexual harassment and abuse. I suspect this has to do with when the book went to press, but it feels like a glaring omission given the date the book was actually released. The book is well-researched, fast-paced, and an engaging read (errr, listen). This is the second time in recent memory that I’ve been turned on to a book from the podcast tour and, once again, the book was so much richer than the abstracted-away talking points were. I’d recommend the book to anyone interested in the history of mountaineering and the commercialization of both Everest and of nature in general. Grade: A-