-- Stories from the world's most experienced and respected climbers-- Selections are united by a single compelling theme-- Forewords by John Harlin and Mark SynottCourage and Misfortune contains gripping accounts of climbers on expeditions that encountered violent forces of nature or disastrous accidents because of tremendous odds and harsh luck. Stranded teams succumbed to frostbite, high altitude pulmonary edema, hypothermia, earthquakes, avalanches, horrendous storms, and sometimes human error. Frequently the expedition achieved the summit but massive problems occurred on the descent. Other times the goal was not reached but the failure isn't the story; it's other amazing elements of the expedition that take precedence. Included is one of the most tragic happenings in the history of mountaineering, Robert W. Craig's chilling story of the 1974 American-Pamir/USSR expedition and the death of an entire team of Soviet women on Peak Lenin as their pride held them to the storm-lashed mountain, high up beyond any hope of timely rescue.