A TRUE STORY OF SURVIVAL IN THE HEART OF THE ROCKIES

This book by long time Colorado high country resident, writer and hut master Devon O’Neil is essential reading (or listening) for everyone who loves nature, mountains, rivers, adventure, or snow. Skillfully written to weave in  stories of tragedies and near-misses, he includes details about avalanches, frostbite, hypothermia, river raft catastrophes, mountain bike crashes and moose attacks- something for everyone!

We are including a review of this book on highaltitudehealth.com because the true story it describes is a scenario not unlike many others that have occurred (and always has the potential to play out) at so many backcountry high altitude excursions. At a recent author event with Devon at Next Page Books in Frisco, CO, the author even noted that part of the appeal and thrill of these experiences are the risks inherent in the activity, which includes, not least of all, changeability of weather and conditions in high altitude environments.

The main story involves a group of families from Salida, Colorado who embark on a trip to Uncle Bud’s Hut at 11,000 ft. Fathers and their teens come from a variety of backgrounds but all with some expertise in medicine, rescue, and extreme sports. When a snowstorm comes in and two of them are separated and missing the rescue team is also broad, experienced, and personally committed to finding their friends. All the family members affected by this event are skillfully and sympathetically portrayed.  Colorado readers will relate to the locations, relationships and situations.  O’Neil includes a thoughtful discussion of the risks we take in our sports and recreation and how it can affect us and our families in the years to come.

This narrative contains crucial information for staying safe as described in our blog posts about climbing fourteeners and hut trips, such as wearing layers of wear clothing that wick moisture, carrying adequate nutrition and water, using communication devices with backup power sources, strategizing fire starting materials, and avoiding dangerous wildlife.

In spite of the dangerous events described in this particular account, Devon also noted personally that his aim was not to diminish the importance of embracing the adventure of being in the outdoors in the face of risk. It is in the risks, after all, that we find so much of the thrill of every outdoor adventure.

I expect someday this book will be a movie, bringing Into Thin Air (the book by Jon Krakauer that was a hit movie) to our backyards..