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The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains

The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains

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With heart-pounding descriptions of avalanches and treacherous ascents, Barry Blanchard chronicles his transformation from a poor Native American/white kid from the wrong side of the tracks to one of the most respected alpinists in the world. At thirteen, he learned to rappel when he joined the 1292 Lord Strathcone’s Horse Army Cadets. Soon kicked out for insubordination, he was already hooked on climbing and saw alpinism as a way to make his single mother proud and end his family’s cycle of poverty. 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 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, spurred on by the rhythm of adrenaline and the arrogance of youth. It is also a portrait of the power of the mountains to lift us – physically, emotionally, intellectually.

Details of Book

ISBN13: 9781938340314
ISBN10: 1938340310
Language: English
Publisher: Patagonia
Publication Year: 2014
Format: Hardcover

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A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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  • One Line Summary

    Adventurous mountaineering memoir of resilience and daring.

  • Who is this book for?

    If you’re drawn to tales of daring mountain climbs, Barry Blanchard’s story is a compelling read. It’s a raw and inspiring journey from humble beginnings to conquering some of the world’s most challenging peaks, with vivid descriptions that put you right in the midst of extreme adventures. This book captures the spirit of youth, courage, and the unbreakable bond between climber and mountain.

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