[New Book] Charity book drive finds

I chanced upon the book drive organized in our office, and of course I couldn't resist digging around for interesting titles. It was a bit tough, though. The setup was chaotic, and I could feel my inner OCD struggling to get free in order to organize the books. Obviously I had to restrain myself lest earn the wrath of the staff spouses (a.k.a. the organizers). 

Tough as it was to dig through the pile, I still managed to score these two coffeetable books: Doug Scott, Himalayan Climber, and Mike Harding's Footloose in the Himalaya.

Let's Get Physical

October is fast approaching, and the Dream Climb is 80% sure. Time to panic. 

A lot of things have to happen before October. The biggest one behind money matters and making sure personal matters are in order, is to get fit. I've harbored the illusion that I'm fit enough to catch my dream. But if the past two weeks is any indication, I'm miles away from my required level of fitness.

Amping our core muscles (photo: Cleve Mallari)

[Book Haul] Seven Years in Tibet - Heinrich Harrer

Harrer was more famous for his epic book, the White Spider, which is an account of the first successful ascent of the Eiger North Face (a copy of which I lucked upon Booksale, yay!). But arguably, it's Harrer's friendship with the Dalai Lama that has more impact. 

Seven Years in Tibet recounts Harrer's time in the forbidden kingdom at the height of World War II until the start of the Chinese occupation. It was during this time that he got to know his holiness, the young Dalai Lama. His story became even more popular after Brad Pitt starred in the movie based on the book. I haven't watched it yet.

Finally found one! #booksale #HeinrichHarrer

A photo posted by Dennis Lopez (@dencius) on Apr 8, 2015 at 2:56am PDT

I've been looking for a copy of this book for some time now. It was one of the more elusive titles in my checklist. A couple of months ago I saw the sequel to this, Return to Tibet, but did not buy it, as I have no idea yet of how the original book will affect me. Now that I scored a copy, I hope to see the sequel again; and this time, I won't pass on it. 

[Book Haul] No Impact Man, by Colin Beavan

To justify my nontstop book collection, I made an unofficial vow to finish books I've started reading, and to reduce the number of unread volumes in my shelves (i.e. read more). I'm happy with the progress I'm making, especially after turning the last page of Peter Matthiessen's The Snow Leopard; the book that took me at least 3 years to read. It's a great book; worthy of the paper on which it was printed. 

The next unfinished tome to go down was No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process (whew! what a long title!). Written by journalist Colin Beavan, it chronicles his year-long experiment to make his household "carbon neutral" and reduce their overall ecological footprint to zero. 

[New Book Find] The Hard Way, by Mark Jenkins

I passed by the used bookstore in Galleria after an errand, and surprise, surprise!

New Book Find - Quest for Adventure

A lot of people are off work today, taking advantage of the Independence Day holiday to head off for a 4-day weekend. But that's totally unrelated to this entry.

It's Friday the 13th! But I feel lucky with what I found: A first edition of Chris Bonnington's Quest for Adventure! (printed 1981)

New book finds: Jamling Tenzing Norgay and Dougal Haston

At least 3 days a week, after lunch, I usually hang out in Booksale Megamall to check out if there are anything interesting and cheap in their collection. I also make sure to drop by any discount bookstores wherever I go (especially if I don't usually go to that mall or store). 

As to climbing-related books, I think I have scored at least 8 dozen from these visits in the past decade. 

Today was a good day for book-hunting. 

Akyat Na! - An Alpine Climb Open Talk and Orientation

Our favorite (and only) Pinoy seven-summiter, Romi Garduce, will have a FREE talk on May 22 in R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street about the fundamentals of high altitude climbing.

This will also be a sort of launch and orientation for his expedition in October in the Annapurna Region. Mountaineers interested in joining the trip shouldn't miss this event.