The White Death: Tragedy and Heroism in an Avalanche Zone » (Reprint)

McKay Jenkins has backpacked, paddled, bicycled, and skied in wilderness all over the world. He has written for Outside, Outdoor Explorer, and Orion, among many other publications. He has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia and a Ph.D. in English from Princeton. A former staff writer for The Atlanta Constitution, he currently teaches literature and nonfiction writing at the University of Delaware. Jenkins lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two dogs.

For readers of Norman McLean's Young Men and Fire: a harrowing natural history of avalanches, highlighting a deadly slide that swept away five young Montana climbers.

KLIATT

Just after Christmas 1969, five young Montana men set out to scale the daunting north face of Mt. Cleveland, the highest peak in Glacier National Park. No one had ever summited the mountain via their planned route, and everyone from family to expert climbers to park rangers felt their expedition was doomed to fail. Tragically, the naysayers were correct. About halfway up the mountain, the five men were buried by a massive avalanche. Despite heroic efforts by rescue crews, the bodies were not recovered until the following June. The author's account of the disaster and its aftermath is compelling. In addition, he embellishes his narrative with a wealth of intriguing information about avalanches: their anatomy; a historical overview of the deadliest ones; and advice on how to (hopefully) survive one. Combing a gripping story and cogent research, The White Death is an eloquent amalgam of Norman MacLean's best-selling Young Men and Fire and Jon Krakauer's mega-hit Into Thin Air. Includes an index, a selection of further reading, photographs, and diagrams. KLIATT Codes: SA*—Exceptional book, recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Random House, Anchor, 228p. illus. bibliog. index. 21cm. 99-043307., $13.00. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Randy M. Brough; Lib. Dir., Franklin P.L., Franklin, NH , July 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 4)