(Royalties from book sales will support the work of Mountain People in Nepal.) Penguins on Everest offers a rare inside view of the Everest package holiday industry - run by ignorance, arrogance, corruption, egos, greed and a disregard for human life. By the time of the second edition in 2014, 104 Nepalis had died on Everest: 17 that year alone, and 16 in one accident - over 30 children lost their fathers that day. In 2015 a further 12 Nepalis died on Everest - bringing the total to 116.Hard-hitting and name-naming - yes - but concluding with a menu of possible changes for the industry.In addition, this is the story of a rebel schoolboy, growing up in Wales and Ireland in the 1950s, with all the complexities that implies His first climb, his first kiss, running away from home at 15, joining the R.A.F., a secret war in Oman, atom bombs over Norway, becoming a climbing guide and journeying the Silk Road to Nepal. After 40 visits to Nepal, he shares his experiences of the land and its people - culture, history, trekking and climbing. Aiming to entertain, educate and provoke, it succeeds in all three.
