Home > Bookstore > Mountain Climbing > Minus 148 Degrees

One of the Mount McKinley Classics

Minus 148 Degrees by Art Davidson Who must have this book: Anyone who is a serious mountain climber or even daydreams about climbing Mount McKinley. Who should have this book: Anyone with any interest in adventure, climbing or survival stories. ISBN: 0898866871

This book is truly one of the classic tales of climbing Mount McKinley. This book has been retold, quoted, and paraphrased in so many texts, I had a sense of déjà vu while reading it. But like any well-told stories, even knowing the ending took nothing away from the tension and interest of reading this book. Also, it is a good introduction to some of the biggest names in Alaskan climbing.

For those who are not familiar with this book, it is about the first winter ascent of Mount McKinley. When it was attempted in January 1967, it may have been the last truly unknown adventure left in North America. It is almost impossible to top what they attempted. Even the later solo winter ascents seemed less impressive because these men had already led the way.

This book is a gripping tale of fighting more than just a mountain and an extreme climate. By the end of their expedition, they had fought tragedy and loss, starvation, and the fear of death. I read the book in less than 36 hours it was so hard to put down. If I had to criticize it at all it would be to ask for more pictures. Much was said about all the time spent photographing and filming the expedition. Let us see those images.

One suggestion, I usually read these books during hot stretches in the summer (I read Into Thin Air while camping in 115 degree weather in Arizona.) It seems more enjoyable when reading about frostbite and wind chills while you are sweltering.It is books like this that make me feel fully justified to stay below 7,000 feet while understanding and rooting for those who go higher.

Overview

The book starts with the inception of the plan to climb McKinley in winter. The plan nearly falls apart as quickly as it starts because they can’t find the people to go. Eventually, the team falls together including one young and inexperienced climber who would become a legend of Denali – Ray Genet.

Early on the team is faced with a tragedy when French climber Farine Batkin falls to his death into a crevasse. His death and the carelessness that led to it haunt the expedition and every decision and situation that comes up. Art Davidson goes deeply into the physical and mental problems the team faces as they seem to get stalled out early in their trip.

Once the team gets back on course, they climb high on the mountain and even succeed to get three members to the peak before disaster strikes again. With half of the expedition trapped in the open, high on the mountain one of McKinley’s legendary storms strikes with sustained winds over a hundred miles per hour. Three climbers are forced to dig into a small ice cave with almost no supplies to wait out the storm that drags on for days. What happens is a triumph of survival and mental anguish for everyone involved as tragedy again stalks the group.

If I had a criticism, it is that the book ended too quickly. But then, that is probably true of the experience. Weeks of isolation and struggle suddenly end as the climbers are flown off the mountain and back in to the world. If you even have an inkling of reading this book, do it. You will not be unhappy.

Author

Art Davidson has written several other books, many with the famed photographer Art Wolfe.