Dougal Haston (1940–1977)

Dougal Haston may be an extraordinary climber, but he is a middling writer. So, I found "In High Places" rather disappointing as far as climbing memoirs go.

In this book, Haston sums up his climbing career -- starting with climbing the rocks beneath railroad bridges in his native Scotland to expeditions to Annapurna and Mt. Everest. He has achieved some amazing climbs in the mountaineering world and this book documents several of them. However, Haston himself seems to be a rather unlikeable show more character -- believing his way is the right way and he often appears (while claiming he doesn't) to be looking down on others.

Overall, I found the book to be uninspiring and more like a trip report that would be enjoyed only by the people who know him or know others on the expeditions he describes. There are a ton of incredibly interesting mountaineering narratives out there... unfortunately, this isn't one of them. show less

The book is written as a joint effort between the six climbers, with contributions from others. Surprisingly, this turns what was in their own words destined to be 'another bloody expedition book' into a rather interesting study of a very successful climb. This book is hard to beat.

The book High Places was very interesting. It had a message the you should never give up and keep climbing till your at the top.

One of several accounts of the direct assault on the Eigerwand in 1966, in which John Harlin fell to his death. Co-authored by Haston with photographs by Bonington, this is the inside scoop.