A Critical Look At “Forever on the Mountain –

The Truth Behind One of Mountaineering’s Most Controversial and Mysterious Disasters”– a Book by James M. Tabor

Their knowledge and support will always be appreciated by my family and I hope that this  ‘review’ has been helpful to anyone interested in the tragic events of 1967 and especially to the families of the lost men and their climbing companions who survived the storm.  If my Dad had been alive when Tabor’s book was published his greatest concern would have been for them – would Tabor’s conclusions have confused them or caused them unnecessary pain… 

A special thanks for my dear friends Suzanne Rust and Lila Dickhaus and Sean and Joyce Robbins, Pam and Dave Kyzer and my amazing siblings – Andy, Kevin and Marietta .  And of course my Mom who, along with my Dad instilled in us the ability to see right from wrong and the courage to stand up and be heard.

Thanks also to Paul Anderson who so kindly told me that Dad was, “One of his heroes….” and Dave Johnston for being so kind as to spend an hour on the phone with a complete stranger – just when I needed it. 

 I can’t forget to offer a special thanks to my husband John (and editor) and our children – Sophie, Annie Kate, Kaiya and Henry.  I know this hasn’t been easy.

And lastly to you – for taking the time to read this…..  If you want to truly know more about this tragedy consider reading White Winds by Joe Wilcox.  Wilcox’s book does an excellent job of examining criticism’s that were made after the accident as well as chronicling his own “first hand” experience.  Howard Snyder’s book Hall of the Mountain King is also a “first hand” look at the expedition, but from a different perspective.

•                                                                                                 -Gerianne Hall Thorsness