The Escapist

More about the book

As a young boy in Lac-Mégantic, Gabriel Filippi was haunted by a fear of drowning after a near-miss in a swimming pool. However, it would be the heights that would ultimately challenge him, leading to life-threatening experiences over two decades of climbing the world's highest peaks. Filippi has faced numerous brushes with death, including a Taliban attack in northern Pakistan that claimed the lives of ten climbing companions and surviving the deadliest disaster in Everest's history. His journey reveals that survival often comes at a steep price; climbers are never the same after their summits. In this unflinching memoir, Filippi explores the extreme challenges and profound losses he encountered while scaling mountains across six continents. He reflects on the transformation from a reckless youth to a cautious adventurer who saved seven lives by turning back just an hour from Everest's summit. Haunted by survivor's guilt and PTSD, he reveals how life on the edge reshapes one's identity. This gripping account of adventure and tragedy delves into the depths of the human spirit, illustrating the relentless pursuit of dreams and the indomitable will to reach the top of the world.