Clawing for the Stars

A Solo Climber in the Highest Andes

Nonfiction, Travel
Cover of the book Clawing for the Stars by Bob Villarreal, Abbott Press
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Author: Bob Villarreal ISBN: 9781458213211
Publisher: Abbott Press Publication: March 7, 2014
Imprint: Abbott Press Language: English
Author: Bob Villarreal
ISBN: 9781458213211
Publisher: Abbott Press
Publication: March 7, 2014
Imprint: Abbott Press
Language: English

When most altitude climbers reach their mid-forties, they slow downbut for Bob Villarreal, these years marked the beginning of his climbing career rather than the end. At forty, he took a rock-climbing class, but it wasnt what he was looking for. In a moment of pure and life-changing serendipity, an article about climbing the Andes lit a new fire within him, and an obsession was born.

At that point, Bob retired from business and took up mountain climbing. He lost his heart to the staggering, raw, and wild beauty of the High Andes, returning there time and time again to challenge himself, almost always on his own. In defiance of the basic rules of wilderness exploration, Bob traveled solo, well aware that calamity was only one loose rock away and that his survival was never guaranteed.

One might wonder why anyone especially someone in middle age -- would climb alone in the Andes even once, let alone nineteen times (out of thirty total climbs). Its a question that Villarreal himself cant adequately answer. Was he in search of adventure, danger, or deeper meaning in his lifeand did he ever find his elusive purpose on the mountain?

This memoir recalls his perilous adventures on famous Andean peaks as well as mountains in the remotest parts of the Andes along the lengthy border between Chile and Argentina.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When most altitude climbers reach their mid-forties, they slow downbut for Bob Villarreal, these years marked the beginning of his climbing career rather than the end. At forty, he took a rock-climbing class, but it wasnt what he was looking for. In a moment of pure and life-changing serendipity, an article about climbing the Andes lit a new fire within him, and an obsession was born.

At that point, Bob retired from business and took up mountain climbing. He lost his heart to the staggering, raw, and wild beauty of the High Andes, returning there time and time again to challenge himself, almost always on his own. In defiance of the basic rules of wilderness exploration, Bob traveled solo, well aware that calamity was only one loose rock away and that his survival was never guaranteed.

One might wonder why anyone especially someone in middle age -- would climb alone in the Andes even once, let alone nineteen times (out of thirty total climbs). Its a question that Villarreal himself cant adequately answer. Was he in search of adventure, danger, or deeper meaning in his lifeand did he ever find his elusive purpose on the mountain?

This memoir recalls his perilous adventures on famous Andean peaks as well as mountains in the remotest parts of the Andes along the lengthy border between Chile and Argentina.

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