Customer Reviews

Hall & Ball: Kiwi Mountaineers: From Mount Cook to Everest

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Rob Hall and Gary Ball, two New Zealanders who lived the dream of conquering 7 of the world's highest summits in 7 months. This book is full of breathtaking photography, a touch of humour, the heartaches and joys of conquering the summits and the tragedies which cut their lives short. This book is a must for those who have similar aspirations and dreams.

As a fan of mountaineering writings and photography I was pleased to 'discover' this fine new book. Most people will know of Rob Hall in light of the tragic storm that took his life and several others in May of 1994. But as you will find there is very much more to the Hall story and his amiably unorthodox business partner and friend Gary Ball. This book is very well-written and lavishly adorned with inspiring climbing photography. It tracks the early days of Hall and Ball on their home peaks on the South Island of New Zealand to the world's Greater Ranges. Although, there is plenty of lively dialogue concerning Everest and the issues of commercial expeditions between the covers, this book as a whole is a pleasant santctuary from the "controversies" of the Everest disaster. It serves to joyfully remind its audience of the enduring appeal of high mountains and the vibrant life that can be found there. I highly recommend this book. It is a thoughtful illumination of two legendary mountaineers and the great adventure that was their lives.

Both the pictures and text of this book are authentic and tell the story of typical New Zealand adventurers that became famous and died in the mountains. The pictures are by Hall, Ball, and friends. You see what you have only read about in books on Everest climbs, from the dawns to the garbage. The text puts the Himalayan climbing tragedies in context of the lives of the heros and their friends. Details come from journals, letters, interviews, and memories. The author knew Hall & Ball well. This is a great tribute, compelling read, and looks good on a coffee table too (big book).

This book details the climbing adventures of fellow-kiwis Gary Ball and Rob Hall, including three chapters, 48 pages, on Everest. The photos are excellent. Other chapters include Mount Cook, Antarctica, Ana Dablam, Pik Kommunizma, Karakorum, Kangchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Carstenz Pyramid, and Lhotse - Cho Oyu - Makalu.

Hall and Ball will be remembered for pioneering commercial guided expeditions, leading 19 climbers to the top of Everest from 1992 to 1995. The book has some good stories including the Lydiagate controversy of 1988, rescuing a Polish climber from the top of the Lho La in 1989, and turning Chantel Maudit around at the South Summit in 1995.

"This is Rob Hall calling from the top of Mount Everest. My very best friends Gary Ball and Peter Hillary are standing beside me. I know there are many New Zealanders listening and to the many people who believed in us and supported us over the years I'd like to say "Thank you very much" - Rob Hall May 10, 1990.

On October 6 1993, six months after his fortieth birthday, Gary Ball died of pulmonary edema at 6500m on the Northeast Ridge of Dhaulagiri, in Rob Hall's arms. Hall finished the obituary with this moving sentiment: "Some people come into your life and leave footprints across your heart-and they never go away."

Rob died in May 1996 on the South Summit of Everest. "I love you. Sleep well, my sweetheart. Please don't worry too much." -- Rob Hall's last words to his wife.

I have a personal connection to this book that makes it valuable in many deep ways. My son was the contemporary of these adventurers. He shared some of them and also was the crazy graphic artist mentioned in the book. Up until 1992 when he died in a parapente accident, my son Leo Geary designed Rob Hall's expedition branded items, such as hats and stationery. During the years 1987-1992 he was in New Zealand so most of what I knew of his life was through letters. He loved the climbing, skiing, and parapenting that was taken to greater extremes by his friends and others in this book. It tells the life stories of Hall & Ball through all their exciting adventures, up to and beyond their deaths. Through this book I can feel why they did what they did, the vivid life experiences that made the sacrifices worth it. It is a great document and historical record that is quite precious. The photography and printing is outstanding.