The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains
Barry Blanchard
Aug 2014 · Patagonia
4.8star
9 reviewsreport
Ebook
440
Pages
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About this ebook
With heart-pounding descriptions of avalanches and treacherous ascents, Barry Blanchard chronicles his transformation from a poor Metis (half-breed) kid from the wrong side of the tracks to one of the most respected alpinists in the world. He describes early climbs attempted with nothing to guide him but written trail descriptions and the cajones of youth. He slowly acquires the skills, equipment and partners necessary to tackle more and more difficult climbs, farther and farther afield: throughout the Canadian Rockies, into Alaska and the French Alps and on to Everest, Peru, and the challenging mountains in Pakistan. From each he learns lessons that only nature and extreme endeavor can teach. This is the story of the culture of climbing in the days of punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll, accompanied by the rhythm of adrenaline and the arrogance of youth. It is a portrait of the power of the mountains to lift us – physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually – and the depths of relationships based on total trust in the person at the other end of a rope. Includes climbs with renowned alpinists such as Kevin Doyle, Mark Twight, David Cheesmond and Ward Robinson. 432 pages with photos and a playlist.
Ratings and reviews
4.8
9 reviews
Andrew Grimes
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May 8, 2019
I keep coming back to this book over and over. It's so well fleshed out and detailed. Humorous, dark, caring, adventurous... definitely an instant favourite!
Howard Davidson
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November 13, 2017
Great read, honest, engaging, perpetually questioning. The quintessential climber's story. Well done Barry from a fellow Canadian.
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Barry Blanchard is one of North America's top alpinists, noted for pushing the standards of highly technical, high-risk alpine climbing in the Canadian Rockies and the Himalayas. Blanchard is a Patagonia Ambassador. He lives in Calgary, Canada.
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