Everest, Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World

Journalist Cockrell chronicles the simultaneous democratization and commercialization of high adventure in his deeply researched debut account of the guided climbing industry on Mt. Everest. Setting himself in opposition to tales of “tragedy or triumph” on Everest, Cockrell aims for a more nuanced story of entrepreneurial gumption, local economic uplift, and expanded access. Once attempted only by the most elite climbers, in the 1980s a ragtag assemblage of mountaineers saw an opportunity to make Everest attainable for a hefty fee. Through a combination of imported scientific innovation (satellite phones and oxygen tanks), Sherpa know-how (including the quick building of stone shelters at high altitudes), and permanent infrastructure (a series of camps up the side of the mountain), a booming industry was born. Everest has now been climbed by nearly 12,000 people, the vast majority of them clients of guiding companies. Cockrell doesn’t always fully convince in his effort to push back against common criticism of these developments—the fact that deaths are “less than 0.5%” of climbers isn’t totally inspiring, and his highlighting of the local Sherpa people’s prospering off the industry, while illuminating, is noticeably missing any figures on how much the guide companies actually make. Still, this is a sure-footed, and at times riveting, history of Everest. Fans of mountaineering adventures will want to add this to their shelf. (Apr.)