An English comic novel about a World War II expedition to a Himalayan peak. An outrageously funny spoof about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot peak, The Ascent of Rum Doodle has been a cult favourite since its publication in 1956. Led by the reliably under-insightful Binder, a team of seven British men — including Dr Prone (constantly ill), Jungle the route finder (constantly lost), Constant the diplomat (constantly arguing) — and 3,000 Yogistani porters sets out to conquer the highest peak in the Himalayas.