The Manaslu Adventure: Three hapless friends try to climb a big mountain (Footsteps on the Mountain Diaries) Paperback – Illustrated, May 9, 2018

This is my third expedition journal by Mark Horrell that I have purchased, and ot is my favorite so far. I am not sure I can even say why - not for any obvious difference in writing quality or style. This is another personal account of his attempt to conquor one of the "death zone" Himalayan mountains, written in his blunt fairly uncensored way. It shows him and his teammates (and other climbers) both at their best and at their worst. But as he is honest and fair, there are no unwarranted attacks or revenge seeking entries. Indeed, often even as he puts down one of the less flattering entries, he immediately offsets it by allowing that the thing he is reporting might be justified or at least understandable.Perhaps I enjoyed this volume more because I was aware that he and a couple of his teammates were trying to climb their first major peak, and there was a sense that they were walking a razor's edge as to whether they would all succeed. In any case, it was another enjoyable adventure read by the author, a refreshing peek at the sport by a man who is self-deprecating and honest about his not being an elite climber, but rather one of those who requires a one-on-one Sherpa to help assure his survival. But he is not one to catch "summit fever" and venture up when he shouldn't.risking the lives of would-be rescuers. That is good for us, for it means that.he is all that more likely to make it back down and write more of these climbing accounts that support his mountaineering attempts.And as usual, plenty of great pictures along the way, which I recently discovered I could zoom in size in my Kindle. Cool.I have pre-ordered his first full-length book and look forward to reading it.

Commercial expeditions to the world's highest mountains are a growing phenomenon and have become quite controversial, since a significant number of them have been involved in deaths and injuries of their clients, most notably in 1996 on Mount Everest, when many members of several expeditions died in one storm. For those of us who would like to participate in such an adventure, but could never afford the cost, the author provides a very readable account, in daily diary format, of exactly what it's like to be a member of one of these expeditions, and to have to deal not only with their leaders (some of whom have tenuous credentials at best), but with other expedition members, with their personal goals and quirks.

Mark Horrell's style of writing is straight-forward and interesting but you have to get used to just jumping into his journeys without much background. He is interesting and a decent writer with thoughtful insights. I admire his lifestyle and adventure-some choices but for those of us who are mountaineering omnivores, Horrell is different. Be prepared for more of a diary-type of journalism with little introductory information. But that's okay! I read everything he writes with all this in mind and enjoy him a great deal.

I loved seeing the photos. Wish there had been more of them. Not enough pics of Manaslu. It was good bedtime reading as a chapter was just the right length.

I have read through Marks trip diaries for years, and for whatever reason this is one of my favorites. I am not sure why but I have read them all several times. I think I have gained a great appreciation from his client perspective on these commercial expeditions. Mark has inspired me to someday travel to the Himalayas and trek through these glorious mountains, in the meantime I will continue to enjoy following Marks adventures!

I enjoyed Mark Horrell's story telling style. I would have liked a bit more historic background and detail about Manaslu. But Mark has certainly earned my respect as a blogger and mountaineer. I'll glad?y continue to follow his writings.

I've read a lot of mountain climbing stories/books and enjoyed this one a lot. Not intense like some stories with climbers freezing to death, falling, etc., but a very upbeat, comfortable to read adventure. Not only did I like the story, but the author seems like a kind, decent guy who greatly enjoys doing what a lot of us wish we could do. This is my first story by Mark Horrell and I will certainly buy more.

Mark is a climber's climber. He captures expedition life as only someone that has lived it could portray. I especially appreciate his sense of humor which I know, from personal experience, is critical on these endeavors. I am fortunate to have access to his extensive works at such a bargain price. I think he needs to charge more for sharing his talents as these climbs are incredibly expensive and I don't mind encouraging talented writing.

Having gone to the region and trekked the Manaslu Circuit, I had a strong sense of nostalgia reading this book. It’s a great personal story of how a 8000M peak is summitted. Mark takes us through his emotions and you feel like you’re right there with him. A great read.

I've read a few of Mark's books and they never disappoint me.Mark gives a really detailed account of the successes and challenges of expeditions and really gives a feeling for what it's like when spending weeks pursuing a major summit.I really like that Mark just gives a genuine account of his expeditions - he doesn't try to make himself sound like a superhero, he just shares a realistic account of how things are.As well as a great mountaineering book, this also captures the humour of like on trek and the characters of the people involved.Highly recommended.

As a long established climber, I really enjoyed Marks down to earth and, often funny diary of this guided expedition to climb Manaslu.Great reading about the serious and often painful business of Himalayan climbing in a non technical and honest style of writing.Easy to imagine myself sharing many of the same emotions. As Mark portrays here..Never really reconsidered nipping down to the pub, to be part of any Himalayan climb ... comical part of the book as it's described here.

What I like most about these series of books is that I can totally understand exactly what its like for the author even though I have never set foot in the Himalayas and this is down to Mark Horrells use of description. It can be very in depth so that you see what he see's and feels what he feels. This is another great book. I am working my way through them, not in order, and have enjoyed each one so far. I particularly like this one because you feel success for Mark as it is a more triumphant climb for him. Why would you not download this?

Love Mark's books - my only gripe is that they're usually a bit too short. Mark is a modest guy but he's climbed a lot of mountains. Really enjoyed this, especially all the details of what they ate and drank.