"Reading Peter Lens' book, I felt like I was peering into the mind of my clients. Needless to say, the experience was instructive for a guide who has led over 120 expeditions. Peter captured the power of the expedition experience: from a climber's pre-trip anxiety and expectations, to the unique settings he's explored and even the interplay of personalities he's tied in with. Peter's humble approach to climbing and writing results in a book that many new climbers and jaded old-timers will appreciate." —Chris Warner, President, Earth Treks Climbing Centers "Peter Len, through detail-rich prose and a profound love of the mountains, takes us on a journey up the world's landmark peaks. This is not the rarified realm of super-alpinists like Messner, House, Garibotti, and Prezelj, but rather an everyman's voyage up the guided trade routes about which the bulk of all climbers know and dream—the Exum Ridge of the Grand Teton, for example, or the Hörnli Ridge of the Matterhorn. If you're training ... for that next dream climb, Distant Peaks, with its honest, enthusiastic look at guided ascent ... is indispensable." —Matt Samet, Senior Editor, Climbing Magazine "For anyone who has wondered what it is like to climb some of the classic mountains of the world, Distant Peaks tells the entertaining story of one man's experience doing just that. It is one of the few books I have read that captures the unembellished realism of a self-proclaimed amateur climber going through the process of becoming an experienced alpinist. I'm sure Peter Len's stories of travel and adventure in foreign countries will inspire some armchair mountaineers to get out and try it themselves." —Andy Bourne, Climbing Guide and Coordinator of Foreign Programs, American Alpine Institute Distant Peaks is a chronicle of stories that detail the struggles and triumphs of a novice climber. Starting with a failed attempt on the Grand Teton during a climbing trip with his father, Peter Len gained respect for the mountains along with a thirst for summit success.Since then, his quest has taken him back to the Grand Teton and across the oceans to attempt some of the classic mountains of the world, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Mt. Kenya, and the volcanoes of Ecuador.Written through the eyes of an amateur climber, Distant Peaks describes Mr. Len's motivations for attempting these mountains and portrays the challenges of dealing with the physical and mental aspects of climbing, especially at higher altitudes. Not limited to just describing the individual climbs, Mr. Len also relays his thoughts on the unique cultures and spectacular mountain ranges that he encounters along the way. A light-hearted depiction of climbing adventure, Distant Peaks is an enjoyable read for any outdoor enthusiast. Read Less