Buried in the Sky tells the extraordinary story of how sixteen Sherpa climbers lost their lives on K2’s deadliest day. On August 1, 2008, a group ofSherpas were making their way up to Camp III when an avalanche struck, killing them all instantly. It was one of the worst tragedies in Mountaineering history. In this deeply researched account, Amanda Padoan sheds light on who these brave men were and why they chose to make this deadly climb. She also offers a unique perspective on mountaineering culture and paints an unforgettable portraitof life at high altitude. Buried in the sky is both a tribute tothe Sherpas who lost their lives and a fascinating look at what drives peopleto take risks in extreme environments.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone interested in mountaineering culture and the Sherpas who risk their lives to summit mountains. It offers an intimate look at the motivations behind these climbs, as well as a detailed description of what happened on K2’s deadliest day.
Pros :
- This book is a very detailed account of what happened on K2’s deadliest day.
- It offers a unique perspective on mountaineering culture.
- The writing is lyrical and evocative, making for an unforgettable reading experience.
Cons :
- The author does not give much information about the climbers other than their names and what they did before summiting K2.
- The book feels more like a sociology or anthropology study of mountaineering culture rather than a narrative history of the 2008 K2 disaster.
- There is no index, making it difficult to find specific information again later.
Learn more about the author
Amanda Padoan is a writer and editor who has covered mountaineering, outdoor adventure, and travel for publications including Outside magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal, Skiing magazine.
Reader Reviews
“The author does a wonderful job telling the reader about these climbers, their families, and the culture of Sherpa mountain people in Nepal. The writing is crisp and pulls you into each scene.”
“Buried in the Sky is a beautifully written and poignant account of 16 Sherpa climbers who were killed in an avalanche on K2. The author takes us into the world of high altitude climbing, painting rich portraits of the men who undertake these dangerous expeditions. This is a must read for anyone interested in mountaineering or exploration.”
“This is a great book about the 2008 K2 avalanche that killed 16 sherpas. The author does a good job of giving some back story on each of the climbers and why they were there. She also provides an overview of mountain climbing culture in Nepal and Tibet. This makes for an interesting read whether you are familiar with mountaineering or not.”
“This is a well-done, balanced account of the events leading to and following the K2 avalanche in 2008 that killed 16 Sherpas. The author does an excellent job of portraying the culture and motivations of both the sherpas and western climbers involved in this deadly endeavor.”
