Transcendent Summits: One Climber's Route to Self-Discovery

Why climb a mountain?? Maybe it's one way to discover who we are or why we're here as individuals. Transcendent Summits takes you on such a journey of self-discovery with one mountaineer who has spent his life in the mountains. Written in an autobiographical format, Gerry takes you through his formative years of learning about life, love, friendship and death. These lessons, that we all learn in our own way in our own lives, are magnified intensely in Gerry's mountain experiences. Transcendent Summits unlike Gerry's other books is not a guidebook. .......... On the other hand maybe it is!! Read it and find transcendent summits in your life. Ig Snig?? Arg Snarg!

I met Gerry over the internet many years ago, and then in person, in Mexico for his "nth" round of Mexican climbs. I couldn't wait to buy his book Trascendet Summits and elected to pay full price for an autographed copy in his website. I have always been curious to what motivates Gerry to be tirelessly into mountaineering every possible day, and this is part of the clue.

Gerry had done more by age 22 than most people dream of doing in a lifetime. The book discusses many climbs, but goes much deeper into the very soul of one of the great mountaineers alive. To read this book is to begin to understand what makes Gerry tick. His paradigms and mantras captivated me. His love of life, and his brushes with spirituality, are not commonly observed merely by reading his guidebooks. The style is the same, with much wit, insight, and profound statements, but this book delves into what makes a mountaineer. I have never seen a book that goes into the early years of a mountain man. I can't wait for the next book in the series, if that ever happens.

This is a great read which combines mountain adventure, romance and spirituality. The book will provide the basis for a fine movie.

"WHO CLIMBS UP"? Who indeed? Follow Gerry Roach as he finds enlightenment during his development as a world-class mountaineer. Through his mountaineering experiences Gerry weaves together the pieces of his acronym for mountaineers: "WHO CLIMBS UP". You'll share his joy as he summits some of the high mountains of the world and you'll share in his anguish as the mountains cut short the lives of some of his closest friends. Gerry's enthusiasm for mountaineering is evident on every page. His breathtaking descriptions of the perilous ascents of Denali (the Great One) and Mt. Rainier will keep you turning the pages with anticipation. The book is not without its lighter moments either. How could you not be in awe of someone who could eat "a dozen eggs, six slabs of him, eight pieces of bacon, four pieces of thick sourdough toast slathered with butter and jam, seven glasses of orange juice, six buttermilk pancakes overflowing with syrup, a plateful of home style potatoes, two glasses of milk and a large cinnamon roll" after summiting Denali; and that was just for breakfast! You'll have to read the book to determine for yourself what creates a transcendent summit. Perhaps after you've turned that last page you'll know what it took Gerry many years, many miles and thousands of feet of elevation gain to discover. This is a book you'll want to read more than once.