"This should be required reading for anyone who will be—or has already gone—hiking in the mountains." ~Nelly Heitman, Foreword Magazine.
For my last birthday, a friend gave me a copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of Not Without Peril. First published in 2000, author Nicholas Howe recounts several mishaps which took place among the Presidential Range of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. From 1849-2009, 140 people have died amidst the fascinating landscape of these mountains.
The back cover of the book has this excerpt:
Among the most beautiful and deadly mountains in the world, Mount Washington has challenged adventurers for centuries with its severe weather. From the days when gentlefolk ascended the heights in hoop skirts and wool suits to today’s high-tech assaults on wintry summits, this book offers extensive and intimate profiles of people who found trouble on New Hampshire’s Presidential Range, from the nineteenth century through the present day.
Though I found the individual accounts fascinating & educational, I wasn’t thoroughly impressed with the overall writing of the book. Where I disagree with one who has stated that this publication is a "masterfully written book, " I do agree with another in that it is a "diligently researched chronicle…chock-full of mountain lore and history." Mr. Howe is meticulous in many details which serve as the framework for each story. In that respect, he has done a wonderful job. However, it hasn’t been one of the more enjoyable books I’ve read. Some of the stories I feel could’ve been shortened a bit, holding my attention more firmly, instead of creating a desire to reach the end.
With that said, I do believe that anyone who hikes or backpacks, whether or not it be in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, should read Not Without Peril. As Dr. Peter Crane of the Mount Washington Observatory has stated: "Today’s mountain travelers can ignore these historic lessons only at their own peril.’ Awareness of potential dangers, which lie hidden by the beauty of landscapes we often take for granted, is the ultimate preparation for any adventure.
~Steve, The Pilgrim.
