Within Reach: My Everest Story (Hardcover)

by Mark Pfetzer (Author), Jack Galvin (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Although Within Reach is targeted at young adults and written in a young man's voice, the writing (by coauthor Galvin) is engaging, and the story is rewarding enough to interest any mountaineer.

Pfetzer, 18 at the time of publication, describes his summits of a number of peaks worthy of a climber twice his age, including Huascarán, Aconcagua, Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, and Cho Oyu. He tells at length of his two expeditions to Everest, where he reached 25,000 feet from Tibet and 26,000 feet from Nepal. Purists may sneer, as all these climbs were commercial, guided expeditions--but heck, the kid was only 14 or 15; how else would he get there? And, though a paying client, he was unusually well prepared: a karate black belt (at age 11), courses in NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and high-angle rescue, full EMT (emergency medical technician) training (even though he was too young to be licensed), in addition to being in top physical condition, which he rigorously maintained.

Pfetzer has regularly sought out older, more experienced mountaineers as mentors--somewhat rare for a teenager--and thanks them publicly for their teaching and wisdom. His love of climbing and determination to succeed are inspirational for all ages. --Donna DeShazo

From Publishers Weekly
In May 1996, Mark Pfetzer at age 16 was the youngest climber on Mount Everest to reach 26,000 feet, and his gripping autobiography focuses exclusively on his mountain climbing achievements. Recounted in diary format, Pfetzer's dense but taut story opens during the 1996 Everest expedition, then jumps back to a 1992 advanced camping trip, when his passion for climbing first ignited. An advertisement for a mountaineering trip in Nepal sparks his imagination and determination (he must raise $5000 for the excursion), and the experience starts Pfetzer off to the farthest (and highest) reaches of the globe, on to Peru, Ecuador, Tanzania and finally to Mount Everest. Even though he fails to reach the summit on either of his two Everest trips (the second of which takes place during the fatality-filled 1996 expedition described by Krakauer in Into Thin Air), Pfetzer does set an altitude record for his age. While some of his inspirational comments about going for one's dreams come off as a bit condescending, and a few of the descriptions and metaphors have an adult flavor, readers are sure to be fascinated by the suspenseful storytelling and the wealth of insider details. For instance, at high altitudes climbers can break a rib just by coughing; those who reach the summit often urinate on the peak to commemorate the event. Even readers with no interest in rappelling will likely be swept up in the details of the people and places Pfetzer meets in his travels. A glossary and a chapter by chapter "Cast of Characters" will help readers unfamiliar with the world of climbing. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525460896
• ISBN-13: 978-0525460893
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #985,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Schlepping the Clients Up the Mountain, March 14, 2009

By	Lightman (New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Within Reach: My Everest Story (Nonfiction) (Paperback)

My Everest Story is the account of Mark Pfetzer, who at age thirteen decided he wanted to climb the world's highest mountain. Three years later, in 1996, he made it to 26,000 feet before having to abort after the tragic storm that cost the lives of eight climbers as chronicled by Jon Krakauer in Into Thin Air.

Why this kid wants to do this is never really explained. The closest we get is "God this is fun" (doesn't sound much like a thirteen year old) and "I like working on a goal, making it happen".

OK

One reason the book seems disconnected and lacking authenticity is the ghostwriting of Jack Galvin, a local schoolteacher who contacted Pfetzer on his return from Everest. This appears to be his only published work, for good reason.

As a result of Galvin's clumsy handling of the story, Mark seems weird rather than interesting. We never get beneath the surface, beyond comments such as, "Lots of good looking girls in Mendoza...so many girls I'd love to talk to, if only I had the guts!"

The narrative deals with Mark's learning to climb, his initial experiences trekking in Nepal and climbing several South American mountains, as well as his two attempts on Everest and his ultimately successful summiting of Cho Oyu, an 8,000 meter peak in Tibet.

This could be a source of inspiration for unfocused teenagers, were it not for the goofy tone of the writing.

For me, the most interesting aspect of the book was the picture it paints (probably inadvertently) of the dysfunctional world of paid adventure expedition climbing. When the primary qualification of the members of a climbing team is the ability to pay a fee it becomes inevitable that tragedies such as that of May 1996 on Everest will ensue.

Sir Edmund Hillary said that a sixteen year old had no business being on Everest. He may be right, but the same applies to a majority of the clients on paid commercial expeditions.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a pretty good book., December 25, 1999

By	Lauren Haumesser (Walnut Creek, California) - See all my reviews

This is the second book that I have read on Everest, (one when I was nine, one now at age 11). It was also the one I enjoyed more. I liked how it was written in journal form, because for people my age it made it eaiser to read. The book was very suspenceful in some parts. It amazed me was how Mark (the person the book was written about), had climbed so many mountains when he was 14, 15, and 16. But, my favorite feature that the authors included was a 'cast of characters'at the back of the book. The 'cast of characters' included a chapter number, and then listed all of the people mentioned in that chapter. Next to the peoples names were a couple of sentences about where they were from, and what they were like. This was very useful because Mark, went on so many expeditions. Another reason I liked this book so much is because of the sense of humor in it. All and all, this was a pretty good book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Within Reach" was the Best Book I've Read in a Long Time!, December 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Within Reach: My Everest Story (Nonfiction) (Paperback)

"Within Reach" by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin was a very good book. In fact, it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. At first when this book was suggested to me, I thought "Wow. Another boring non-fiction book about some guy climbing Everest. Whoopee." But I was wrong. I loved "Within Reach"! I suggest it for anyone interested in a good read. Even if you don't like non-fiction or adventure books, I think this book's for you! I took this book to all my classes at school and brought it home every night, sneaking a read when I was supposed to be doing my homework - that's how much I really couldn't put this book down! I loved following Mark's journeys in mountain climbing, and I hope there will be a sequel soon about his 1999 Everest and Andrea Doria expedition! (The Andrea Doria is a sunken cruise ship that a group [including Mark] is going to explore, 240 feet undersea!) And Mark, if you're reading this, I'm sorry about your dad.