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Book Summary
Distant Peaks is a chronicle of stories that detail the struggles and triumphs of a novice climber. Starting with a failed attempt on the Grand Teton during a climbing trip with his father, Peter Len gained respect for the mountains along with a thirst for summit success. Since then, his quest has taken him back to the Grand Teton and across the oceans to attempt some of the classic mountains of the world, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Mt. Kenya, and the volcanoes of Ecuador.
Written through the eyes of an amateur climber, Distant Peaks describes Mr. Len's motivations for attempting these mountains and portrays the challenges of dealing with the physical and mental aspects of climbing, especially at higher altitudes. Not limited to just describing the individual climbs, Mr. Len also relays his thoughts on the unique cultures and spectacular mountain ranges that he encounters along the way. A light-hearted depiction of climbing adventure, Distant Peaks is an enjoyable read for any outdoor enthusiast.
Endorsements
"Reading Peter Len's book, I felt like I was peering into the mind of my clients. Needless to say, the experience was instructive for a guide who has led over 120 expeditions. Peter captured the power of the expedition experience: from a climber's pre-trip anxiety and expectations, to the unique settings he's explored and even the interplay of personalities he's tied in with. Peter's humble approach to climbing and writing results in a book that many new climbers and jaded old timers will appreciate."
Chris Warner, President, Earth Treks Climbing Centers
"Peter Len, through detail-rich prose and a profound love of the mountains, takes us on a journey up the world's landmark peaks. This is not the rarified realm of super-alpinists like Messner, House, Garibotti, and Prezelj, but rather an everyman's voyage up the guided trade routes about which the bulk of all climbers know and dream -- the Exum Ridge of the Grand Teton, for example, or the Hörnli Ridge of the Matterhorn. If you're training ... for that next dream climb, Distant Peaks, with its honest, enthusiastic look at guided ascent, ... is indispensable."
Matt Samet, Senior Editor, Climbing Magazine
"For anyone who has wondered what it is like to climb some of the classic mountains of the world, Distant Peaks tells the entertaining story of one man's experience doing just that. It is one of the few books I have read that capture the unembellished realism of a self-proclaimed amateur climber going through the process of becoming an experienced alpinist. I'm sure Peter Len's stories of travel and adventure in foreign countries will inspire some armchair mountaineers to get out and try it themselves."
Andy Bourne, Climbing Guide and Coordinator of Foreign Programs, American Alpine Institute
About the Author
Peter Len is a Software Engineer living in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife Ruby and daughters Katherine and Courtney. He co-authored the software development book Professional Portal Development with Open-Source Tools. His real passion, however, is the outdoors where he enjoys climbing, snowboarding, hiking, and scuba diving.
Table of Contents
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The Grand Teton - An Impressionable Defeat
[Look Inside]
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The Grand Revisited - A Long-Awaited Summit
[Look Inside]
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Mont Blanc - The Ultimate Side Trip
[Look Inside]
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The Matterhorn - A Mesmerizing Monolith
[Look Inside]
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Mt. Kenya - An Equatorial Classic
[Look Inside]
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Cayambe - A Unique Equatorial Landmark
[Look Inside]
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Cotopaxi - The Jewel of Ecuador
[Look Inside]
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Chimborazo - The Highest Mountain in the World
[Look Inside]
Note: Visit the book's page on Amazon to see their "Look Inside" capability. This gives you the ability to search inside the book or get random pages.
Book Specifications
| Title: |
Distant Peaks: A Journey through Cultures & Conquests |
| Publisher: |
American Book Publishing |
| Publication Date: |
January 25, 2008 |
| ISBN (10): |
1589824601 |
| ISBN (13): |
9781589824607 |
| Type: |
Paperback |
| Pages: |
319 |
| Interior Images: |
98 |
| Dimensions: |
5" x 8" |
| Chapters: |
8 |
Related Links
General
- Premiere resource for mountain and mountaineering information - Peakware.com
- Leading national organization in the United States devoted to mountaineering and climbing - American Alpine Club
- Various climbing logs, summaries, and photos - Peakbagging.com
- General mountaineering resource (photos, information, books, etc) - Traditional Mountaineering
- All-in-one Mountaineering & Mountain Climbing Portal, Gear Guides, Shop, Techniques, the Seven Summits and more. Free membership and great community - ABC of Mountaineering
- Categorized resource directory for everything about mountain climbing - Mountain Climbing HQ
- Climbing and mountaineering photo essays - TerraGalleria Mountain and TerraGalleria Mountaineering
- Mountaineering forum - via Backpacker.com
- Resource for mountain-related activities - Mountain Zone
- Tons of information focusing on the British climbing history on Mount Everest (facts, routes, summiteers, news, etc) - Mount Everest - The British Story
- Photographs, articles, and information on walks, climbs, treks, and travel on five continents - High Adventure Around the World
- Swiss climber Jeurg's web site with blog and climbing info/pictures, inclucing Nepal, Ecuador, Switzerland, and more - My Mountain Challenge
- Adventure & active travel directory and outdoor marketplace - Adventure Sports Online
- Popular adventure and adventure travel magazine - National Geographic Adventure
- Premiere climbing magazine - Climbing Magazine
Guiding Outfitters
- Exum Mountain Guides - Exum
- Association Internationale des Guides du Mont Blanc - AIGMB
- Zermatt Guides - Alpine Center
- American Alpine Institute - AAI
Where to Purchase/Check Out
Distant Peaks can be purchased online at the following locations:
Distant Peaks can also be found at the following:
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