Penguins on Everest

by David Durkan, Doug Scott (Foreword), Mike Tombs (Illustrator)

(Royalties from book sales will support the work of Mountain People in Nepal.) Penguins on Everest offers a rare inside view of the Everest package holiday industry – run by ignorance, arrogance, corruption, egos, greed and a disregard for human life. By the time of the second edition in 2014, 104 Nepalis had died on 17 that year alone, and 16 in one accident – over 30 children lost their fathers that day. In 2015 a further 12 Nepalis died on Everest - bringing the total to 116.Hard-hitting and name-naming – yes – but concluding with a menu of possible changes for the industry.In addition, this is the story of a rebel schoolboy, growing up in Wales and Ireland in the 1950s, with all the complexities that implies! His first climb, his first kiss, running away from home at 15, joining the R.A.F., a secret war in Oman, atom bombs over Norway, becoming a climbing guide and journeying the Silk Road to Nepal. After 40 visits to Nepal, he shares his experiences of the land and its people – culture, history, trekking and climbing. Aiming to entertain, educate and provoke, it succeeds in all three.

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Zoe Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Mum met the author on a trip to Nepal. Interesting read, history and thoughts on mass market ascents of the World’s highest mountain.

[Marcus Krug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I met the David Durkan, the author in front of his shop in Tamel / Kathmandu. We had an interesting chat about hiking in the Himalayas. He told me about himself and his story, what brought him to this part of the world. And since I found the man quite intriguing, I bought his book.
The man seems an interesting figure, quite alright. Yet, his writing is not as compelling as his vita. It looks like he´s willing to share his story along with the history of commercial mountaineering in the Himalayas, but he fails to do so in a way that keeps you reading. I only finished the book because it as the only paperback in my backpack and my kindle ran out of juice in the mountains. There are two stars for some interesting facts brought across by uninspired writing.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the subject and his argument, and I found it a fascinating read, although not very well written.