Tower

Kelly Cordes maximizes outdoor time and climbing alpine-style routes. His climbing includes the first ascent of the Azeem Ridge in "disaster style." He writes to support his passion for climbing and is a Patagonia Ambassador. He lives in Estes Park, CO.

Winner for Banff Mountain Book Awards, 2015, Mountain and Wilderness Literature -- Nonfiction The contrast between the old and the new, very centered opinions by the author and a twist at the end that I was certainly not expecting made it one of the best mountain books I ever read. Cheers to Cordes and his brilliantly written book Thecampsiteblog.com The Tower by Kelly Cordes is one, if not the best modern mountaineering book I've had the pleasure to read in a long time. Careful though. This is a book that is not easy to sit down. Sad part is, the book does has an ending. coldthistle.com I simply loved this book, and I'm a weary veteran of one-too-many armchair mountaineering reads, not as easily impressed as I once was by any slab of paper with a mountain on the cover and photos inside of manly men with frost in their beards. I tore through The Tower in two nights, this with a newborn in the house: it's a classic. climbingterms.com Kelly Cordes has penned one of the most fascinating and well-written chronicles of Cerro Torre, one of the most beautiful, infamous and important mountains in the world. This is a must-have for any armchair mountaineer and history buff. Gripping read from start to finish. eveningsends.com No mountain in the world is so otherworldly and has such a troubled history. This book is the most in-depth look yet. It examines the social and psychological context that has sparked fifty years of controversies and rivalries, and how belief influences everything we--both climbers and all of mankind--do.--Climber Rolando Garibotti, author of Patagonia Vertical combining cutting-edge climbing talent, a wicked sharp pen (okay, keyboard), and a passion for accuracy in mountain reporting. -- John Harlin III, author of The Eiger Obsession With passion, literary skill, and relentless curiosity, top-shelf alpinist Kelly Cordes takes us on a wild ride through the controversial history of Patagonia's Cerro Torre--the most perfect mountain on earth. Gregory Crouch, author of Enduring Patagonia Kelly Cordes embodies the climbing spirit more than anyone I know. I admire him for the way he devotes himself completely to writing and the mountains. He is also my favorite storyteller. I can think of no one better to write the story of Cerro Torre. -Tommy Caldwell, professional climber

• Part One Toni, Toni, Toni In the Beginning 1959 Origins of Belief Doubt, Rage and a Gas-Powered Compressor Ragni di Lecco Body Parts and Evidence Poseidon and Zeus Cold Reality Unraveling Egger's Death Blessed by Bridwell Part Two The Road to Hell and a Bridge to Paradise Cerro Torre's Greatest Lover Faith, Fantasy and the Power of Myth Insight from Reinhold Solidarity Unveiled Part Three New Patagonia El Arca de Los Vientos Stop Making Sense Los Tiempos Perdidos A New Story Demystification of a Massif Contrast on the Southeast Ridge Part Four Six Days Anger A Conversation in Italy El Chalten Another Lie The Man and the Mountains Truth Epilogue