Summit Murder Mystery Series

A 33-year-old British adventurer set out on skis November 25th, 2011 to attempt a historic solo crossing of Antarctica. Felicity Aston aims to become the first woman to make it across the frozen continent alone. She expects the journey of more than 1,000 miles (1,700 kilometers) will take about 70 days. She announced on Twitter that she was setting out from her starting point at the Ross Ice Shelf. "Having breakfast looking at the mountains. The quiet will take some getting used to," she said in one message. Later, she wrote: "With the first step of my journey I start the long road home." She is pulling a sled with supplies and first will be headed up the Leverett Glacier. Boerge Ousland of Norway previously made a 64-day trip across the continent in 1997. But he harnessed the wind when it blew in his favor by strapping himself to a parachute-like sail. If successful, Aston would become the first person using only muscle power to cross Antarctica alon...

I'm working hard at getting all the Summit Murder Mystery Series books out to you via audio!  Here is a picture of me recording the introduction to Murder on Mt. McKinley! 

This video is from a few  years ago, but I thought it was fitting given the release of Murder on Aconcagua!  This video is of 11 year old Jordan Romero, he is the youngest person to stand at the summit of Aconcagua.  He set a world record!  Very neat!  Take a look, and then head on over and  subscribe to my YouTube page!

MURDER ON ELBRUS PROLOGUE I was in the Ice Flow again. Diana Maurasi, anchor of the Sodoc News Service evening news, was with me along with Peer Borgen, renowned European Alpine climber and guide. “Scott,” Diana said. “I have to stop.”  We were descending from near the summit of Everest where we’d been caught in a terrible storm. She looked exhausted, as exhausted as I felt. “Not here,” Peer cautioned. “The ice is soft. We must keep going.” The Ice Flow is a great ocean of white that slowly crept down the mountain from just above Base Camp. Passing through its treacherous corridors was the most dangerous part of the climb and descent. Over the decades it claimed more lives than any other cause.  We followed the pathway that had been carefully carved from the ice and snow but now in the afternoon sun, our way had turned glassy on the ice and the snow gave beneath our feet like fluffy cotton. All about us the walls of blue ice leaned towards us precariously and everywhe...

Reaching the summit of K2 in summer is one of the mountaineering's most deadly and difficult challenges.  Now a team of Russians is attempting what no other has yet achieved - scaling the world's second-highest peak in winter. The 15 climbers will endure temperatures plunging more than 50 below zero and winds of up to 40 mph as they inch up the stuffing giant pyramid that straddles Pakistan and China.  The assault is expected to take 21/2 months. "This is only possible for a Russian team," said Victor Kozlov, affable leader of the expedition, whose members established a new route on K2 in 2007.  "God willing, we can make it," he said this week in Pakistani capital, ahead of his journey to the Karakoram range in the far north of the country. Winter ascents of the world's 14 highest mountains are some of the most prized achievements left in climbing. The "eight-thousanders," as they're known because they all top 8,000 meters (5 miles),...

F OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jennifer L. Howell Irion Books, LLC (480) 522-9287 Jennifer@IrionBooks.com Irion Books Releases Fifth Book in the Summit Murder Mystery Series Murder on Aconcagua Today Irion Books announces the much anticipated release of the fifth book in their Summit Murder Mystery Series, Murder on Aconcagua .  One of the most unique series ever written, the Summit Murder Mystery Series is co-authored by Charles G. Irion and Ronald J. Watkins, and is set at the peaks of the highest mountains on the world’s seven continents.  Remote, inaccessible, they are the crown jewels of climbing.  They are the world’s deadliest mountains, and deaths from falls, avalanches, illness, heart attacks, and high altitude sickness, are a matter of course. Add in murder to the mix, and you get seven of the most original and exciting murder mysteries ever written. Inspired by Charles Irion’s 1987 attempt to climb Mt. Everest, and his 2011 climb of Mt. Kil...

Whether you enjoy rock climbing or mountain climbing, good shoes are important! Okay, you're interested in rock climbing and you've seen all those cool colorful rock shoes that the cool guys and gals are wearing at the crag. But what should you get? How do you decide what shoes to buy? And what kind of shoes do you need? The rock shoes you buy, even your first pair, is one of the most important climbing equipment purchasing decisions you will make. Buy the wrong pair of shoes and your feet will hurt and you’ll probably give up climbing. But buy the right pair of rock shoes and you’ll be dancing up the walls. Follow my 10 tips below to make smart buying decisions. 1. Buy at a Reputable Mountain Shop It's always best to buy rock shoes, especially your first pair, at a reputable mountain shop with an experienced sales staff that is knowledgeable about climbing. One of the big advantages is that you can try them on and test them--ensuring you get a great fit. Phot...

I am thrilled to share with you the synopsis of... Murder on Aconcagua !  Hero Scott Devlon is once again sent by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency on another climbing expedition. This time the mountain is Aconcagua, the highest in South America. His mission is to confirm a report that three Inca golden idols have been discovered and are headed to Venezuelan strongman, Hugo Chavez. Legend says he who possesses them is invincible. Scott’s assignment is to prevent that from taking place but he quickly learns that there are those who will stop at nothing, including murder, to get their hands on the idols. Join Scott Devlon as he battles not only the brutal elements of the Aconcagua summit, but the determined greed of a murderer in Murder on Aconcagua . I can't wait until you can read it for yourselves!  Murder on Aconcagua, is coming to you in Dec/Jan.  

I thought I would share the prologue of Murder On Everest with those of you that haven't read the book.  Take a look!  I bet you can't stop there!     The wind whipped my face. I wiped my goggles with my gloves and stared directly into the blizzard, searching for shadows or any sign of life. We’d left Camp Five at midnight—more than seventeen hours earlier—and I was beyond exhaustion. My lungs were raw. Every breath I drew burned like cold fire. I fought a nagging cough that threatened to consume me. For two hours, I’d not climbed and my body temperature had fallen precipitously. Little feeling remained in my feet and hands and I was in danger of frostbite. I could sense my internal organs starting to shut down and a deadly lethargy engulfed me. I didn’t have long. The snow was so thick that I could scarcely see more than two feet before me. The wind howled with a ferocity I’d never experienced. To stand erect, I had to lean into the gale. If the wind sudd...

Calling all readers!  I need your help!  The last book in the Summit Murder Mystery Series is going to be released in no time!  Murder on Kilimanjaro is the crown jewel of our Summit Murder Mystery Series, and will be jam packed with non-stop action, while tying the entire series together!  We aren't holding back and we're pulling out all the stops to make this last book one that you'll remember for a long time!  Earlier this year, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to do research on the plot for this mystery, and I am very excited to not only bring you an unforgettable story, but for you to read an amazing adventure on a mountain that you know I have actually climbed myself! In Murder on Kilimanjaro , our hero Scott Devlon will be helping the President of the United States get off Mt. Kilimanjaro after his son is murdered!  This final installment will be released next Fall just prior to the Presidential Election, so I thought it would be fun to have an election o...

Today we bring you another educational Mt. Aconcagua post!  This time we are talking about the weather on the mountain!  Take a look... The weather in Park Aconcagua , severe and at times extreme, is one of the most important obstacles that those wanting to embark on the climb should consider.  It is fundamental that visitors be cautious and respectful.  The principle factors to keep in mind when climbing this Mount are the extremely low humidity, the intense solar radiation, the strong winds that habitually whip through the area, the large temperature range, the electric storms, and the rapid changes in weather conditions.  It is not unheard of to have a sunny day with little wind suddenly change into a bone chilling day with intense winds and snow storms. These conditions can happen all at once, and even though it has a lower elevation the factors listed above make Mount Aconcagua comparable to an 8000 meter Himalayan ascent. The dryne...

Since we are gearing up for the upcoming release of Murder on Aconcagua around here, I thought I would start doing some posts with information about the mountain itself.  You will all be Mt. Aconcagua professionals by the time the book comes out! Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America, in the western hemisphere, and in the southern hemisphere, too. No other peak on earth, except Mount Everest, is further away from a higher peak--you have to travel over 10,250 miles to the Hindu Kush Mountains of Pakistan to find higher ground when traveling from Aconcagua. There have been occasional noises made by the Argentines and others that Aconcagua might be over 7000m high, but it seems that the consensus is that it falls just short, leaving all the world's 7000m peaks in central Asia. An Italian expedition in 2001 with super-accurate GPS equipment has fixed the peak's elevation at 6961.83 meters. The mountain is geologically complex, and while many of the rock...

“What’s going on?” I asked Tom. “That Sherpa woman is in trouble.” “Laki?” “That’s the one. I saw her for a moment. Horrible. Her eyes were all bugged out. Cal tried a shot of dexamethazone, but it doesn’t seem to be working.” Dexamethazone was the drug of last resort in such a situation. It was an anti-inflammatory steroid that in certain situations was a lifesaver. That it wasn’t working was very bad news. I went into the clinic. Calvin was still arguing with Harlan, who was making no attempt to explain himself. Laki lay nearby and looked dreadful. To see a snapshot of someone suffering from HACE with edema, you cannot imagine what you are actually looking at. Such a photo might even look funny, with the eyes bugging out in an unnatural way. What was taking place was that her brain was swelling, and there was nowhere for it to go except through the openings that held her eyes. Laki was panting like a dog in summer. Her face was gaunt. She looked at me for ...

This week I attended a book event at Arizona State University, sponsored by the ASU Alumni Association, featuring Dr. James W. Jackson, the founder of Project C.U.R.E. an organization that I am heavily involved in and support.  Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment and services around the world.  Since its inception, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to more than 120 countries since its inception. Dr. James Jackson has devoted the past twenty-three years of his life to traveling all over the world and “delivering health and hope” to the world’s most needy people.  Thousands of people are alive today as a result of Project C.U.R.E.’s efforts, its volunteers and its founder, Dr. Jackson.  The Happiest Man In The World , Dr. Jackson’s new book provides unique and compelling insight into the life and legacy of a man who found true happiness in relinquishment and selfless service.  ...

On Saturday, September 10th I had the pleasure of meeting Dan Aykroyd when he was at a BevMo in Arizona, and had my picture taken in front of the Ghostbusters ambulance!  I gave Dan a signed copy of Murder on Everest and asked him to review it for me, he said he would!  Pretty cool, huh?

Scottsdale Healthcare published a really neat article about my hike on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and I thought I would share it with you below. Check it out, and for more information about my books, visit my website by clicking HERE! New hips help author conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro Writer celebrates 60 th birthday on seven-day climbing expedition to research new mystery novel SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 1, 2011) – Paradise Valley author Charles G. Irion didn’t let two artificial hips get in the way of his quest to conquer Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro last month. Irion re-booted his work hard, play hard lifestyle after consulting with orthopedic surgeon Stuart Kozinn, MD, who performed the hip replacement surgeries at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center. Irion reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on July 5 as part of a trip to do research for his upcoming novel, as well as volunteer in Tanzania on a medical mission and celebrate his 60 th birthday. It was his first major climbing exped...

Publisher and author Charles G. Irion discusses his unique book series (Summit Murder Mystery Series) - murder at the world's highest mountains on the Back-Story Radio Show. Charles also talks about his climbing expeditions on Everest and Kilimanjaro - two of the seven summits from the series. Listen now ... Listen to internet radio with BackXStory on Blog Talk Radio