Andy achieved one of the hardest climbs ever recorded on one of the steepest and most difficult summits of the world - the north face of Changabang. Seventeen days later, he and two of his teammates - his best friend had already perished in an avalanche - crawled into basecamp, frostbitten and emaciated. Learning to Breathe is, first and foremost, a lively and humorous memoir, written with energy and insight, about two very different groups of men, each navigating equally inhospitable worlds. Finally, on a larger scale, it is an examination of our ability to draw on inner strengths and the strengths of others. 

To order a copy please call 01202 242424.  Delivery costs apply to the UK.  Please ask about costs for overseas shipping.

Andy achieved one of the hardest climbs ever recorded on one of the steepest and most difficult summits of the world - the north face of Changabang. Seventeen days later, he and two of his teammates - his best friend had already perished in an avalanche - crawled into basecamp, frostbitten and emaciated. Learning to Breathe is, first and foremost, a lively and humorous memoir, written with energy and insight, about two very different groups of men, each navigating equally inhospitable worlds. Finally, on a larger scale, it is an examination of our ability to draw on inner strengths and the strengths of others.

The hardback is only available from this web site. To order a signed copy please call 01202 242424. Delivery costs apply to the UK. Please ask about costs for overseas shipping.

REVIEWS

“Learning to Breathe is, I hope, the first of many superb books to come from Andy Cave's pen, and to my mind as fine an achievement as the many that he has carved out on the rock faces and the mountains of the world. This book is another confident stride down the path of life that Andy has chosen to take" ...Joe Simpson, author of Touching the Void

"a remarkable book..." Tim Adams, (feature interview) OBSERVER

"Andy Cave's compelling autobiography is, like Joe Simpson's Touching the Void a gripping book...the book describes Cave's formative experiences among the hard lives of the Grimethorpe mining community, and leaps into descriptions of his most daring climbs...the tales of broken friendships and poverty during the strikes form an impressive counterpoint to the elation and despair of the climbing exploits. The level of trust required in one's companions connects climbing to mining and he depicts this bond eloquently...it is the candour with which he describes his successes and failures that make the book so fascinating." Alan White, OBSERVER

"... an eloquent voice...thoughtful and often gripping Narrative...there are few other climbers with the writing skills to pull this off. There are fewer still who have led such an interesting and varied life as Cave." SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

"...warm and accessible...it relates a remarkable journey from claustrophobia underground to release in the world's high, empty places..." GLASGOW HERALD

"...not just a humorous memoir and compelling account of an ex-miner's climbing ambitions, it goes much deeper. This is a powerful testament to human strength, courage and the will to survive, even when your idea of heaven has turned to hell. A remarkable story from a remarkable man." GEOGRAPHICAL

"...well crafted and compelling" CLIMBER

"...a tremendous piece of work, not just because it describes the process of climbing mountains, but what that process does to a person." SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, DUBLIN

"Engrossing, poignant and at times chilling...like his climbing achievements, this book is bold and admirable." MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

"...an extraordinary journey, and it is recalled in compelling fashion." YORKSHIRE EVENING POST