Beyond the Mountain

By: Steve House, Reinhold Messner - introduction

Narrated by: Steve House

What does it take to be one of the world's best high-altitude mountain climbers? A lot of fundraising; traveling in some of the world's most dangerous countries; enduring cold bivouacs, searing lungs, and a cloudy mind when you can least afford one. It means learning the hard lessons the mountains teach.

Steve House built his reputation on ascents throughout the Alps, Canada, Alaska, the Karakoram and the Himalaya that have expanded possibilities of style, speed, and difficulty. In 2005 Steve and alpinist Vince Anderson pioneered a direct new route on the Rupal Face of 26,600-foot Nanga Parbat, which had never before been climbed in alpine style. It was the third ascent of the face and the achievement earned Steve and Vince the first Piolet d"or (Golden Ice Axe) awarded to North Americans.

Steve is an accomplished and spellbinding storyteller in the tradition of Maurice Herzog and Lionel Terray. Beyond the Mountain is a gripping listen, destined to be a mountain classic. And it addresses many issues common to nonclimbing life -- mentorship, trust, failure success, goal setting, heroes, partnership -- as well as the mountaineer's heightened experience of risk and the deaths of friends. Beyond the Mountain is a window into the process of a man working to be the best he can be.

Astonishing Story

I really enjoyed listening to Steve tell his own story. I don’t think anything beats listening to a book read by the author. Steve really is at the cutting edge of today’s new albinism

Read it

An inspiring string of stories that really reminded me how committing to a passionate state of living unfolds life. Choosing to do something, not for a goal, a success story or an award but for the sake of doing is a life well lived. Give me unknowns, for at least I know what that brings. Thanks for the listen, Steve.

Stupendous

If Mr. House’s voice gives you pause, let it. By listening to the entire book, from him, you may absorb at least some of the dharma. I’m glad I listened (twice).

Great book

Surprisingly good narration by Steve himself. Enjoyed this very much. Will listen to it again.

I enjoyed the realism of the thoughts that go through a person's mind in difficult situations.

There was not a lot to dislike. At times one might become frustrated with the climber wondering how the families of his partners may feel if they were ever to read this book.