The publication of The Mountain of My Fear in 1968 and Deborah in 1970 changed the face of the mountaineering narrative. With these two books, the world of climbing and the world of literature witnessed the emergence of a man whose brilliance in both fields is legendary.
Deborah is the story of Roberts' expedition with fellow Harvard Mountaineering Club Member Don Jensen to the eastern side of Mount Deborah in Alaska in 1964. Their two man attempt on the then-unclimbed ridge was a rash and heroic effort. The story tells not only what happened on the mountain, but what happened in that stark isolation to the climbers and to their friendship, as each became totally dependent on the other for survival.
David Roberts continues to write award-winning books and articles that are published worldwide. He made several pioneering, significant first ascents in Alaska including the Wickersham Wall on Mt McKinley, Kachatna Spire, East Face of Mt Dickey, etc. He co-authored with Bradford Washburn the magnificent book, Mount McKinley, The Conquest of Denali and ghost wrote Ed Viestur's story of his 8000-meter climbs, and Alex Honnold's book.
