lenamjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
Part of me wants to now climb all the fourteeners, but most of me knows that it's a lot of work, dedication, and training that cannot be developed in a day. Live vicariously through a father and son over the years as they climb all the 14,000+ ft. mountains in Colorado. It's a nice description of what it's like, dealing with thunderstorms, snow, gear malfunctions, bold marmots, and other hikers. I live in Colorado and enjoyed his tales of some of the peaks I'd known about. I would have liked to have a map, as I only knew vague areas and I'm a native. Someone who wasn't familiar with Colorado would have a harder time understanding how far apart these mountains are, and where they are in the state.
I was also expecting more from Andy's perspective (the father). Not that he was absent or anything, but most of the book just chronicled Ben's memories as they climbed. Having a glimpse into his father's thoughts would have been a nice touch. Some of the pictures seemed placed a bit oddly, and they came before their description in the narrative. Also, I know it's not meant to be a how-to book, but a glossary and some more expanded information about the logistics of gear and hiking/mountain climbing would be nice for us couch potatoes. And I would have liked to see the mileage hiked at each mountain. Some were mentioned in the narrative, but I don't think all of them were. Having the links to resources in the back was a nice touch, though.
Overall, it's a great book about bonds. Having such an incredible shared experience brings people closer together, and it made me appreciate all the things I've done with my parents. Also it made me want to go hiking more, but if Ben's not in shape, then let's not discuss my shape.
I was also expecting more from Andy's perspective (the father). Not that he was absent or anything, but most of the book just chronicled Ben's memories as they climbed. Having a glimpse into his father's thoughts would have been a nice touch. Some of the pictures seemed placed a bit oddly, and they came before their description in the narrative. Also, I know it's not meant to be a how-to book, but a glossary and some more expanded information about the logistics of gear and hiking/mountain climbing would be nice for us couch potatoes. And I would have liked to see the mileage hiked at each mountain. Some were mentioned in the narrative, but I don't think all of them were. Having the links to resources in the back was a nice touch, though.
Overall, it's a great book about bonds. Having such an incredible shared experience brings people closer together, and it made me appreciate all the things I've done with my parents. Also it made me want to go hiking more, but if Ben's not in shape, then let's not discuss my shape.
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