Addicted to Danger: A Memoir About Affirming Life in the Face of Death
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Adventurist Jim Wickwire, an eyewitness to glory and terror above 20,000 feet, has braved bitter cold, blinding storms, and avalanches to become what the Los Angeles Times calls "one of America's most extraordinary and accomplished high-altitude mountaineers." Although his incredible exploits have inspired a feature on 60 Minutes and a full-length film, he hasn't told his remarkable story in his own words -- until now. Among the world's most fearless climbers, Jim Wickwire has traveled the globe in search of fresh challenges. He was one of the first two Americans to reach the summit of K2, the world's second highest peak, the toughest and most dangerous to climb. But with the triumphs came tragedies that haunt him still. During several difficult climbs, he was forced to look on helplessly as four of his climbing companions lost their lives. A successful Seattle attorney, Wickwire climbed his first mountain in 1960. Deeply compelled by the thrill of risk, he pushed himself to the limits of physical and mental endurance for thirty-five years, before facing a turning point that threatened his faith in himself and his hope in the future. How he reassessed his priorities and rededicated his life -- to his family and his community -- completes a unique and moving portrait of one man's courage and commitment. Addicted To Danger is a tale of adventure in its truest sense. Publishers Weekly A Seattle lawyer when he is not climbing mountains, Wickwire has scaled K-2 in the Himalayas, the world's second-highest peak, and has thrice failed to conquer Mt. Everest. Closer to home, he has climbed Alaska's Mt. McKinley and is virtually a commuter to the top of Mt. Rainier, which he has reached more than 30 times. Even those not absorbed by this sport will find themselves affected by the author's tales of friends lost on expeditions, including a fellow-climber trapped in a crevasse who could not be rescued and who froze to death as Wickwire hovered helpless in the vicinity. And readers will feel his grief for an outstanding woman climber with whom he fell in love and who died because of her momentary lapse in vigilance. Writing with Bullitt (Filling the Void), Wickwire makes the point with great clarity that he is addicted to danger. His memoir is well worth a read. Photos. (June)
CONTENTS Introduction one Crevasse two First Steps three Discord on K2 four Loss of Innocence five Bivouac on K2 six Good Timesseven Marty eight Uemura nine Return to Everest ten Murder eleven Giving Up twelve Change of HeartthirteenTwo on Everest fourteenLooking Ahead Glossary Chronology List of Illustrations and Credits Acknowledgments Index
