Never one to be slow on the uptake I recently finished Jon Krakauer's book about the total fuck up that was the 1996 Mt Everest expedition that killed 9 climbers . Was a totally engrossing , vivid read . Made you feel like you were right there with these people. Beck Weathers story of survival alone is almost unbelievable. Anyone else have thoughts on this? Next ill be reading that novel by that up and coming Margaret Mitchell.

Amateur climbers aren't allowed to climb Everest.

Tell that to JBL, who plans to do it next year.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/20/3011930/john-bradshaw-layfield-climbing.html

The athlete has taken the challenge incredibly seriously with an intense regimen he juggles with his busy schedule. The hard work has already paid off.

“I train with a backpack probably four to five days a week,” Layfield said. “I train three to five hours at a time. As far as roadwork and hiking, I probably do 60 to 70 miles a week. I have a 12-mile track, an 18-mile track and a six-mile track. So it depends on how much time I have in the day where I will do one of those. What I learned before with Elbrus was I used a marathon training system, but the problem is you just don’t do one marathon. You do a marathon every single day. So you climb 12 hours one day, go to bed at altitude, and then you wake up and climb 12 hours again. So it’s repetitive.

As I said, amateurs don't climb Everest.

What are the 4 Major mountains to climb? Because if you don't climb at least 1 of those a year, you have only had a good year.

What are the 4 Major mountains to climb? Because if you don't climb at least 1 of those a year, you have only had a good year.

What are the 4 Major mountains to climb? Because if you don't climb at least 1 of those a year, you have only had a good year.

Fascinating story and a great example of the power of the mountains...