hi. this is a late response, but possibly of interest. johnny cook was my godfather, so i have a copy of the book. my father, tom cruickshanks, was supposed to go on the trip, but my birth in nov 1951 stopped this plan; and i believe your friend went instead. my father was teaching alongside johnny at a prep school at the time.
my father is now 90 years old and in poor health, but his memory is good.
i dont think he has ever forgiven me for stymying his opportunity to take part in an historic adventure: much more of a feat than we can perhaps appreciate these days. he would not of been my first choice of a companion, for although an outstanding athlete, he has never known one end of a spanner from tother.
i must dig out my copy of thebook
regards gordon
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