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Art of Freedom
Art of Freedom

Art of Freedom

The Life and Climbs of Voytek Kurtyka
ISBN: 9781771602129
Bernadette McDonald
$32.00
  • Hardback Paper over boards

Winner of the 2017 Banff Mountain Book Award for Mountain Literature (Non Fiction). br>Winner of the 2017 Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature. br> Winner of the National Outdoor Book Awards.

A profound and moving biography of one of the international climbing world's most respected, complicated and reclusive mountaineers.

Voytek Kurtyka remains one of the greatest alpinists of all time. Born in 1947, he was one of the leading lights of the Polish golden age of Himalayan climbing. His visionary approach to climbing resulted in many renowned ascents, such as the complete Broad Peak traverse, the “night naked” speed climbs of Cho Oyu and Shishapangma and, above all, the alpine-style ascent of the West Face of Gasherbrum IV. Dubbed the “climb of the century,” his route on G IV, as of 2016, has yet to be repeated. His most frequent climbing partners were alpine legends of their time: Polish Himalayan climber Jerzy Kukuczka, Swiss mountain guide Erhard Loretan and British alpinist Alex MacIntyre.

After repeated requests to accept the Piolet d’Or lifetime achievement award (the Academy Award of the climbing world), Kurtyka finally accepted the honour in the spring of 2016. A fiercely private individual, he continues to decline countless invitations for interviews, lectures and festival appearances, but has agreed to co-operate with internationally renowned and award winning Canadian author Bernadette McDonald on this long-awaited biography.

Certain to be a major event in the climbing world, Art of Freedom will appeal to all readers who dream of mountain landscapes and those who long to touch the sky.

Book Details

328

September 8, 2017

Width: 6 in
Height: 9 in

Against all odds, Bernadette McDonald has crafted a masterpiece in this biography of the dazzling and enigmatic genius of alpinism that is Voytek Kurtyka. His climbs soar beyond the page even as his tangled character anchors a vision few have shared. It is almost as though McDonald comprehends the man better than he does himself.

- David Roberts, award-winning mountaineering author

Art of Freedom explores the fascinating complexity of Voytek Kurtyka, an alpinist who was driven by aesthetics and by style to achieve some of the most notable ascents in the Himalaya and Karakoram, many of which have never been repeated.

- Sir Christian Bonington, alpinist, author of <i>I Chose to Climb</i>

Bernadette McDonald has outdone even herself with this stunning portrayal of the reclusive visionary who turned mountain climbing into an art form. A mighty impressive work. Bravo!

- Ken McGoogan, author of <i>Dead Reckoning: The Untold Story of the Northwest Passage</i>