Short description
Australian mountain climber Hall chronicles the amazing story of his rescue following a night spent near the summit of Mount Everest, where he had been left for dead by the other members of his expedition.
Long description
The amazing story of Australian mountain climber Lincoln Hallas rescue following a night spent near the summit of Mount Everest, where he had been left for dead by the other members of his expedition. Lincoln Hall likes to say that on the evening of May 25, 2006, he died on Everest. Indeed, he attempted to climb the mountain during a deadly season in which eleven people perished. And Hall, in fact, was pronounced dead, after collapsing from altitude sickness. Two Sherpas spent hours trying to revive him, but, as darkness fell, word came via radio from the exhibitionas leader that the Sherpas should descend the mountain in order to save themselves. The news of Lincoln Hallas death traveled rapidly from mountaineering websites to news media around the world, and ultimately to his family back in Australia. Early the next morning, however, an American guide, climbing with two clients and a Sherpa, was startled to find Hall, sitting cross-legged on the summit ridge, just staring at them. As featured in the Emmy-nominated Dateline NBC documentary aMiracle on Mount Everest, a Dead Lucky is Lincoln Hallas account of this miraculous night atop Everest and the days and nights that led up to and followed this fascinating expedition. Hall had been part of Australiaas first attempt to climb to the top of the mountain in 1984, but, he had not done any serious climbing for many years, having set aside his passion in order to support his family. Hall was forced to turn back due to illness in 1984 so his triumph in reaching the summit at the age of fifty is a story unto itself. Not since Into Thin Air has there been such a thrilling Everest story. Dead Lucky is a page-turner frombeginning to end.
Review
aIn May 2006 on Mt. Everest, veteran climber Hall was left for dead because, to his fellow climbers, he appeared to have died. But the following morning, members of another expedition found him, sitting on a rock and very much alive. Hallas story made headlines around the worldanot too many dead men walk down off the tallest mountain in the worldaand now Hall, the author of seven previous climbing-themed books, tells us the full story. It is a remarkable account. Hallas ordeal is the stuff of nightmares: collapsing from altitude sickness, slipping into unconsciousness, waking up all alone at the top of the world, left behind as though he were a corpse. As a storyteller, Hall has a tough job: to convey to the reader what was going on inside his head as he slipped in and out of hallucination until the line between fantasy and reality was so blurred as to be nonexistent. He does this with a grace and sense of drama that befit a novel: we feel weare there with him, seeing and hearing things that canat possibly be real. There have been a great many Everest-themed books lately, but this one stands alone, the first-person account of a climberas journey into, and back out of, death itself.a
-- Booklist (starred review)
aA gripping, almost unbelievable story of survival.a
a The Sun- Herald
aA compelling story that explores the outer reaches of human strength, endurance and endeavour.a
a The Sunday Telegraph
aA powerful account.a
a Illawarra Mercury
aAn incredible, educational spiritual and entertaining book.a
a Independent Weekly
aAn inspirational tale.a
a Outdoor Australia magazine