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Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail Deluxe Edition
Ansel Adams
Manufacturer: Little Brown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Adams, Ansel
| ( A-C )
| Artists, A-Z
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0821257269 |
Product Description
Modern version of Adams ' 1938 masterpiece. The original was recognized as the highest quality fine art book at the time. The 2006 version is similar, with exception design, paper, printing, and binding.
The images are printed on a light, silk finish paper using a stochastic printing process, which means there is no printing grain or dot structure, giving each print a continuous tone. They are then tipped' in, glued along the top edge to the page.
* Limited quantities available Edition of 500 numbered copies plus 26 lettered copies.
* 224 pages; 50 photographs; 8+ lbs
* This 13 x 17 book is cloth bound and comes in a linen slipcase
* The paper is mouldmade cotton fiber paper, a high quality heavier stock with a slightly toothy feel, letterpress printed with hand set type
* Published by Little, Brown & Company
Book Description
On the legendary John Muir Trail you pass through a land of 13- and 14,000-foot peaks, deep canyons, massive granite walls, and sparkling lakes. Here's the best guide to this 211-mile hiking wonderland, written by two of WP's most venerable authors. 28 2-color maps are based on corrected, updated USGS topo maps.
Customer Reviews:
greaat detail, could be better.......2007-08-23
Took this guide along on my recent JMT hike. Lots of detailed info on the trail, campsites, etc. Topos included, although the printing of these is a bit fuzzy so would recommend carrying the Harrison topo map set. Information provided was fairly accurate. Would be nice to include a table with cumulative distances and ascent/descent for the points of reference along the actual trail itself. As it is they only provide the elevation and the distance between points of reference. Distances provided didn't match the Harrison topo maps or the other trail guide we had on the trip, so much confusion in this respect for mile counters. Overall a very useful guide. I found it a bit hard to use to plan the trip since the descriptions of the campsites were not too detailed (poor, modest, spartan, good is about as descriptive as it gets in this regard).
Just o.k. .......2007-07-05
This book really is not much more than a turn by turn description of the trail. In that regard, it provides little in the way of interesting prose to prepare you for the trip. So, basically, you pretty much have to carry this book with you to get much use out of it. Its informative sure, just not what I'd expect. Also, the maps in the book are black and white and much much much too small to actually read/use easily--buy the Tom Harrison maps for the JMT.
Old Reliable.......2006-07-06
In 1981 I took the first edition of this book on a traditional north/south thru hike of the JMT and found it generally accurate and, most importantly, reassuring about the day(s) ahead. In preparation for a 25th anniversary reprise (this time south to north) I got the latest addition. About the only real difference is that the format is a little larger and the small inset maps are a little easier to read.
As a trip planner and inspiration it rates right up there with Pete Starr's guide and the author, Tom Winnett, has probably forgotten more about the eastern Sierra than most of the more "modern" writers ever will know...BUT, it is a somewhat historical work and one needs to acquire proper USGS topos to insure having the most up to date maps available. If you're only going to carry one "pack book" with you I'd suggest "The John Muir Trail" by Alan Castle first with Winnett's and Starr's as pre trip reading material that you leave at home.
The JMT is one of the most spectacular high country routes one can undertake and I can honestly say that trip 25 years ago changed my life. If you can manage it and you have the desire, it's well worth the sacrifices (and there will be some) you'll make.
Mediocre Guidebook.......2005-12-31
A disclaimer: I have not used this book to hike the JMT.
The trail description seem adequate, as far as I can tell.
The maps seem small, though how much area they cover is unclear since there is no scale. There is no indication of mileage, and side trails are not shown except where they appear on the underlying USGS topos (and how accurate are those?).
The brief introductory section has nothing I don't already know, or couldn't find out from a quick google search. The section on bears basically repeats the NPS line (ie, 'canisters and bear boxes are the only way!!'), and is followed by a note to "leave your pets at home" (huh?).
The most useful section to me (sitting on my butt at home) was the appendix on resupply options. This is the most comprehensive list of stopping points that I've seen. Contrary to what I've heard elsewhere, there are resupply options in the South, just not easy ones. My only problem is with the occasional use of the word 'access', as in "Access to Big Pine" (a mile down the road? 25 miles?), though most of the entries are ok.
Overall, I think this book is usable, but I would bring a supplementary map or maps, and I would look at other books before I attempt the JMT.
WORST GUIDEBOOK EVER WRITTEN-DANGEROUS!.......2004-08-07
DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THIS VILE,PESTILENT BOOK! IT WILL GET YOU LOST IN THE WILDERNESS! The author may be a very fine fellow, and is probably a better backpacker than I am, but he can NOT tell anyone how to get from point A to point B. I wasted days getting lost from this awful book, as he yakked endlessly about flora, fauna, and geology. Meanwhile, you the sucker stand there at unmarked trail intersections getting no help. Do NOT follow the author's dangerous contention that you don't need maps if you buy this book-its maps don't show you the OTHER trails, and get you lost. The Tuolomne and Devil's Postpile sections just may constitute the worst writing of all time.
Book Description
A rare jewel has been discovered in the oeuvre of Ansel Adams.SIERRA NEVADA: THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL, originally published in an edition of only 500 copies in 1938, is an extraordinary publication in many respects. Adams, at the age of 36, was commissioned to prepare a book of his photographs taken along the world-famous John Muir Trail as a tribute to Pete Starr, a young American mountaineer (and son of a Sierra Club president) killed in a climbing accident. Composed of 50 photographs of the Sierra Nevada--many never published again--the book is an exquisite portrait of the mountain world of the High Sierra in California. When first published, it set a new standard for fine photographic reproduction in book form. Little, Brown takes great pride in announcing a new edition of this magnificent book.
Customer Reviews:
A book of so-so quality for AA's gem prints.......2006-11-01
It is always told that AA put enormous energy and care in producing his 1938 edition of "Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail", originally published in only 500 copies and a fine art book of highest quality at the time.
I never saw a copy of the origional edition and my comment is purely on what I see in this 2006 standard edition. I don't know how this book is made from the original edition. It says tri-tone but the printing quality is so-so. Some images are a little vague, some losing details in shadow or highlight. The book is pale in compasrison with some great AA books published by Bulfinch in the past, such as "California" or "Yosemite and the High Sierra". You can find some images from this book in other AA books and in better quality. Overall, it would make AA uneasy to stamp his famous AA Authorized Edition to the book. If it were not for its historical value, I'd skip this book.
Now Bulfinch also offers a 2006 deluxe edition at $1,200. Again I haven't seen a copy but perhaps the pricier version can live up to the standard of the original edition.
The trend looks a little worrisome recently in AA books pulished by Bulfinch. The printing quality goes down from "California (1997)" to "Ansel Adams at 100 (hardcover 2001)". "Trees (2004)" rebounds just a little but "Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail (2006)" is a little disappointing. I would hope the next AA book by Bulfinch can rejuvenate the printing quality, even if doing so means a higher price tag.
Product Description
Shaded Relief Topo Maps (13, 8 1/2" x 11" maps) of the famous Sierra High Route that will take hikers from Mount Whitney to Yosemite, CA.¶ Well marked trails over USGS topo maps that were beautifully enhanced with shaded relief to better distiguish details.¶ Scale 1:630360. 1 inch on map equals 1 mile.¶ Whitney Portal, Symmes Creek, Onion Valley, Oak Creek, Taboose Creek, North and South Lakes, Vermilion, Bear Creek, Florence Lake, Pine Creek, Mono Pass, McGee Creek, Devils Postpile, Mammoth Lakes, Agnew Meadows, Silver Lake, Tuolomne Meadows, and finally the Yosemite Valley. GPS Compatible! - Complete UTM Grid.
Customer Reviews:
T.Harrison rules!.......2007-08-04
I've used the same set of Harrison's JMT maps a couple of times now, the first hike took 30 days and second took 18. They're durable, for sure. The scale (1:63,360) is appropriate for the set of 13 8.5"x11" maps - if you really, really hustle you can hike a map per day. The size means you don't have to unfold a huge sheet of paper each time you want to check where you are. The mileage between waypoints on the trail is clearly marked. The maps don't have the detail of 7.5-minute USGS maps but you wouldn't want that kind of detail for this hike. Harrison also has some larger maps, e.g., "Sequoia & King's Canyon Nat'l Parks" with a 1:125,000 scale but the size is inconvenient for the JMT hike. Conceivably you could scissor his larger maps to make a map of the trail but since he's already done the job about perfectly, why bother? (Incidentally the JMT runs between Mt. Whitney and Yosemite's Happy Isles, so being disappointed at not getting a Mexico-to-Canada map doesn't make very much sense.)
The BEST map for the John Muir Trail.......2007-07-05
I purchased this Tom Harrison map set to thru-hike the JMT. At the same time I ordered the maps from the national park service. The T.H. maps are thin, tearproof, waterproof, lightweight and they pack down into a small size. The NPS maps are paper, they tear easily, they'd be damaged easily by water, and because they cover the 3 parks/national forests, rather than just the trail, they are about 10 times as large and heavier. When I go hiking later this year, the T.H. maps are coming with me. The NPS maps are staying at home.
PCT Maps.......2007-05-31
They were fine, but we expected the whole trail from S.California to Canada. Really think it was my over look.
The standard...a must have on the JMT........2007-05-03
These set of maps are just what all of us would have created had we the time and technology. They are the perfect companion for the JMT hiker - far better than a standard paper map. Mark them, erase the marks, drop them in water, stuff them in you pack and they're still like new. An excellent product.
Customer Reviews:
"Must" reading for Sierra Nevada bound anglers!.......2000-09-07
The John Muir Trail runs through 210 miles of spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range scenery. Trout-Fishing The John Muir Trail will enable the angler to plan and preparing for a trip to the John Muir Trail; fish along the trail; as well as assemble terrain appropriate fishing tackle and hiking gear. There are a wealth of hiking tips, a roster of 20 top trout streams; fly fishing recommendations, and more. If you are bound for the Sierra Nevadas and a trip along the John Muir Trail, begin by reading Steve Beck's Trout-Fishing The John Muir Trail!
"Nature...her choicest treasures"-John Muir.......2000-04-11
It is clear in this compact guidebook that Steve Beck appreciates the special beauty of the Sierra, that he is a skilled fly fisherman, and that he has some fascination with John Muir. Almost every page has a fine color photo, and often a Muir quote. The scenery is spectacular, but there is plenty of solidly researched information for both experienced fishermen and hikers planning a trip to this area. I bought the book in preparation for an August vacation and it is hard to choose where to go with a limited amount of time. This book provides enough information for many trips!
Tell a Friend.......2000-04-10
Steve Beck's first book, Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide, was a really fine addition to my library. His latest publication on the beauty that is the John Muir Trail and its fishery is even better. I only wish I could get the book in a hard cover. This book is worth keeping and passing down to loved ones.
GREAT FISHING BOOK.......2000-04-07
Studying Steve Beck's new book is a must for anyone planning to fish in te High Sierra. Not only is his information invaluable,it is also interesting and highly readable. His descriptions are great and the pictures are beautiful.As a fly fisherman, I highly recommend this book.
finally help finding fish.......2000-04-07
I'm delighted someone has finally offered some help finding fish in the high Sierra. I love backpacking and fishing - I can always find a trail, but not always the fish! This book provides detailed information on types of trout, their locations and populations in the many waters surrounding the Muir trail, as well as how to catch them in specific locations. Thanks Mr. Beck!
Customer Reviews:
good for planning a 3 week hike, but...........2007-08-23
Just finished the JMT. The book was useful for planning my trek since the book is organized into a 22 day hike and I planned our hike for 20 days, so I would recommend it for that purpose. Having it on the hike itself wasn't very rewarding. The distance and altitude change intervals were somewhat useful, although the numbers don't necessarily mesh with the Harrison topo maps. What was disappointing was the lack of detail about campsite locations. The author basically indicates where they camped, but provides little information about where other campsites are located or their quality. Not a problem if you follow his itinerary, but if you're like us (and most of the other JMT hikers) it doesn't help when it's late in the day and you're trying to figure out how much further you need to go to get to a decent campsite. I basically stopped referring to the book after the first week and relied on the other guide I had which had much more detailed information on the trail and camping. I would have burned the Cicerone guide except we couldn't have fires most of the way and one of my friends wanted to carry it for reading material. The maps it contains were fairly worthless, so you'll definitely want topos. The author also comes across a bit snobbish at times, which certainly allowed my friends and I to poke fun at him and added to our entertainment. Logistical informtation on getting to the trailhead and dropping a vehicle at the end of the trail is also incomplete. YARTS only serves Merced to Mammoth, so getting from Whitney Portal to Mammoth requires a hitch, getting a local to shuttle you, or paying high dollars for a commercial shuttle. Bottom line is this is a decent book for planning a 3 week trek on the JMT, but it's not worth the weight to carry it. The Winsett guide was much more valuable on the trail, although it also has it's flaws.
Great for planning a JMT trip.......2006-02-07
I purchased this book last summer as part of a planning effort for hiking the trail in September. Even though I was quite familiar with the Sierra, I had no idea on how to plan the trip out as far as legs and campsites. I found this book to be invaluable as far as proposing a reasonable itinerary and giving the person a good idea of what to expect on each leg and where to find campsites. Castle first gives an overview of what should be done before the trip, and then breaks it out into a very doable 21-day itinerary (with 2 layover days) that range from 10-15 miles per day. He gives you a quick-hit overview of elevation gains and mileage and then a more detailed description of the day's hike. Also, he does a good job of planning the days so that you start with a climb and end with a descent. The one unfortunate is that the book is a bit heavy, though compact in size to actually carry with you -- the person I hiked with did carry it though and we enjoyed reading it along the trail as well as at night. I suppose one might xerox the pages you found necessary. By the way, I also had the Winnett book and found that far less helpful, and less organized as far as actually planning the trip. This is an awesome trip, and I strongly recommend both the book as well as doing the JMT -- it is a life-changing experience!
Customer Reviews:
New definitive JMT book.......2007-09-20
The previous version of this book was, I believe, considered to be the definitive JMT book, and this new version must be also. In it are all the details anyone attempting or thinking of attempting the John Muir Trail will need to know; what clothes to take, which food is appropriate, permits needed, bear information, a guide to the flowers of the area, history of the trail, geology, directions and even maps and a list of possible campsites. In fact, details are the thing about this book - it's ram-jam with them, and I couldn't think of any detail that I'd like to know that wasn't covered (I've hiked the trail once)!
This is a guidebook for those intending to hike the trail, not an account of someone's experiences, but even so it must get even the most couchy potato interested in getting out and walking! I did find the referencing of the sections and maps a little confusing, but it's a small point. And it might be a little large too, so I'd probably elect to photocopy parts of it, or rip out sections to take on the trail.
Great for Prep Work, but a bit Bulky for the Hike.......2007-08-05
Wilderness Press continues to update some of their classic guides regularly and this new version of their John Muir Trail Guide is well written with a new author, Elizabeth Wenk. At its heart, the guide is similar to previous editions in giving a mile for mile description of the trail. I found it very accurate for all portions of the JMT that I have hiked. It also includes new features: numerous GPS coordinates for landmarks, updated regulations, appendices listing campsites, mileages, and resupply points, and new topographical maps from Tom Harrison.
All these new features come at a small cost, however, in that the book is more than twice as large as the previous edition, by Kathy Morey and Thomas Winnett. And while you will need these new features in planning your hike, they are less important on the actual trail. Backpackers trying to save space and weight have a couple of options. One is to simply tear out the sections of the book you will be using. You hardly need the classic South to North directions if you are hiking the other way. Another is to use this edition for planning, but to get one of the older editions for the actual trip. These can be found here (1998) or here (1986). But this book is still worth purchasing. Having it will improve your odds of completing the trail and dramatically increase your enjoyment of it as well.
This is it!.......2007-08-04
This is the new edition of the Morey/Winnett (sp?) book but it's much, much more than that. I've hiked the JMT a couple of times and done a fair amount of hiking in the Sierras. Basically tho I'm a city boy and can't tell one tree from another and know nothing about geology. This book will - I haven't had the chance to hike with it yet - fill in the ignorance and satisfy the curiosity about what I'm hiking past. The author knows her stuff. But, wait, there's a whole lot more. Aside from a large number of GPS coords, more than I've found anywhere on the Web, there's all kinds of info you need to orchestrate your hike - names, addresses, prices, policies, regulations, campsites, side-trip peak-bagging, Harrison maps, informed suggestions - it's all here. One more item - it's only occasionally you read a book that makes you feel the author really worked hard to make it "complete", didn't cut corners, "pushed" when the going got hard - this is one such book. If you're thinking of hiking the JMT or any part of it, buy the book. If you're not thinking of doing the hike, buy the book and discover what you're missing.
Customer Reviews:
A unique backcountry guide that stands out from the many Sierra books.......2006-03-11
There are dozens of good Sierra guides out there, most of them detailing the must-see places for a newcomer or those who want to stick to the trails. However, those with some backcountry experience desiring routes on where to go off the trail have only a few resources: this book, Secor's "High Sierra" and Roper's "High Sierra Route" & "Climber's Guide to the High Sierra". All are essential for those desiring to trek through the backcountry where no trails exist. The Secor book is the most comprehensive, truly an encyclopedia, yet it's scope and necessary lack of detail, leave you a bit overwhelmed; most visitors aren't going to have opportunity to see it all.
This book and the famed Roper "High Sierra Route" nicely give more detail on selected routes through the backcountry. Arnot, a backcountry guide for some 40 years, draws upon a great body of experience in the Sierras to describe some of his favorite places, destinations that only a fraction of Sierra visitors ever venture to see: Tehipite valley, the Ionian Basin, the Muro Blanco, Gardiner Basin, the Enchanted Gorge (though Secor sarcastically says there's nothing enchanting about it)... Arnot pretty much focuses on non-technical class I-II trips and also pays a lot of attention to suggesting the times of year to visit certain places. His enthusiasm is infectious and his routes are filled with interesting anecdotes of his actual ventures. At times Arnot succumbs to an inspirational, wide-eyed-full-of-wonder sappiness that may be off-putting for some. Fortunately these passages are clearly demarcated from the rest of the text. The book has no maps, so enjoying it fully requires you to have some good topographic maps handy or a computer's Topo program nearby. The photos whet the appetite nicely and leave one wishing they were of higher resolution and in color. Overall a terrific and unique resource.
An inspirational (not a comprehensive) guide.......2005-08-30
I agree with the previous two reviewers: The book is not meant as a comprehensive, trail-by-trail, peak-by-peak guidebook (that's Secor). It describes about 40 special places in the Sierra Nevada, allmost all of them off-trail. While Arnot does tell you how to get there, more of the writing is on WHY you might want to get there. The book is not the book you would buy if you've never been to the Sierra (again, Secor is what you want). It's by someone who loves the Sierra for people who love the Sierra. Whenever I read a chapter it makes me want to leave for the mountains immidiately. On a practical note I have found that it's usually possible to make somewhat better time than Arnot's estimates, without doubt because equipment has become much lighter since the book was written.
An insider's guide to the Sierra.......1999-03-17
As another reviewer says, this is not a comprehensive guide. It is a guide to the places and experiences people who know the Sierra dream about--the Muro Blanco, Kaweah Basin, Tehipite Valley; spring runoff and fall color. This book is like a wish list for the Sierra insider.
It's also a labor of love, a celebration of the author's own experiences in the Sierra. Arnot's sheer enthusiasm for his subject is so endearing that it overcomes any criticism I have of his writing, which is often awkward. (With a better editor, it would get 5 stars.)
A guide for experienced Sierra hikers.......1997-07-20
This book is good winter reading for experienced backpackers. It is not a comprehensive guide to the Sierra (for that, Secor's "The High Sierra" is the best). Rather, Arnot picks his favorite hikes and describes them in considerable detail. Most of the hikes he describes are ambitious undertakings that bring one to the less commonly reached areas of the Sierra--not the hikes most people would want to begin with. For anyone reasonably familiar with the Sierra, his book is a pleasure to read, and a source of ideas for future trips
Product Description
A heartwarming, humbling, humorous, true-life adventure of a couple who trekked the John Muir Trail as a depression awareness campaign. After losing a brother-in-law to suicide, Jeff and his wife (Beth) walk the 218-mile John Muir Trail across the Sierra Nevada mountain range to spread the word that depression is treatable. As you walk vicariously alongside Jeff and Beth, through three national parks, ending atop the highest mountain in the contiguous United States, youll encounter bears, lightning bolts, fascinating people, and beautifully rugged scenery. Youll also see a ray of light emerge from the dark ashes of tragedy. Jeffs story reflects on perseverance, overcoming adversity, and navigating the mountains and valleys of life.
Customer Reviews:
Good story, great depression info, NO MAPS!.......2007-10-16
As someone who struggles with Bi-polar Type 2, I am so grateful for the awareness and information provided by this book. On top of that, it was an enjoyable read. I particularly liked the development of the author's relationship with his wife, who had never been on an extended backpack trip before. My only complaint is that it does not meet one of my primary requirements for any hiking, climbing, travel book -- IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY MAPS! Therefore, it only gets 4 stars from me.
A Hike For Mike.......2007-07-17
A Hike for Mike is a detailed description of the author and his wife's 218-mile hike on the John Muir Trail. This mountainous wilderness trail travels through the Sierra Nevada of California. The author had previously hiked other long distance wilderness tracks before his marriage. However, his wife had been wary of going on a long term hike.
This particular excursion was the direct result of a family tragedy. The author's brother in law, Mike, committed suicide. Mike had unknowingly suffered from undiagnosed depression. In an effort to raise awareness about depression, the couple decided to undertake the Hike for Mike campaign based on the premise that exercise, particularly hiking, is beneficial to those suffering from depression.
For the most part, A Hike for Mike is about the actually wilderness hike and the couple's adventures and misadventures while on the trail. However, the last chapter of the book does include information about depression: statistics, the symptoms, various types of treatments, and where individuals can seeks help.
Great book for a great cause........2007-04-20
"A Hike for Mike" is an excellent read and fun journey through the John Muir Trail all for a great cause... To raise awareness about depression. This book is a follow up to Alt's first book, "A Walk for Sunshine", an epic journey along the Appalachian trail to increase awareness of cerebral palsy and the Sunshine House in Ohio. Both books are a must read for everyone, especially those who love the outdoors. Even if you're not an avid hiker, Alt will captivate you with his unique style and great storytelling. Once you start reading you won't want to put it down!
Hiking with a purpose.......2007-01-30
I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff at one of his appearances, and that is where I learned about this book. It was fantastic! As a JMT'er wannabe, it gave me valuable information about the trail, and the mental illness discussion woven throughout the book was especially meaningful to me because my father suffers from depression. The story is beautifully and lovingly told - I loved it!
OUTSTANDING!!.......2006-05-26
I have been wanting to hike the JMT and just may someday. This book puts you right there. I feel like I was with Jeff and Beth the whole time. This is a great book for many reasons. One if you want to know what the trail is like it's very descriptive. Two as you read you feel yourself getting closer to Jeff and Beth. Thirdly, the information on depression in the back was very educational. Again great book and thanks Jeff & Beth
Product Description
Dr. Smith takes the reader on five fascinating journeys of unexcelled natural beauty, soul searching and wild encounters with man and beast in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. We tag along on hiking and backpacking adventures with Smith's chiropractic buddies, another time with his sixteen-year-old son Jared, with friends, professional guides and with his beloved wife Judy. Looking for bear stories? Escape to the Mountains delivers them in abundance along with marmots and mosquitoes, the injured horse that had to be put down along the trail, the sexy woman in the black thong panties and other surprising misfits and benefactors along the John Muir Trail.
Customer Reviews:
Mind (Body and Soul) over Mountains!.......2007-03-29
Stephen Wade Smith tells the story that so many Baby Boomer men (and their partners) can relate to, that of the myth having it "all". Creating what our culture has told us to do as "good men", have the right job, right social standing, and the list goes on. Many of us do not have the courage as Smith did, to put this on the line, and seach for self. This is not the "selfish" self, but the connected self, the one we were created by God to be. We cannot connect without knowing who we are.
As an experienced backpacker myself, who takes midlife women into the wilderness for time away and finding that connected self, I was attracted to this book written by a man. His discriptions of life on the trail are detailed and allow the reader to experience the journey at all levels. This is important, as it brings to the reader the experience of putting one's body to the "wall". This is something that, unfortunately, only athletes do in today's culture. We are information rich, and experience poor. Smith gives the reader the opportunity to see his pain as well as his exhileration as he reflects on what he has done.
What I enjoyed the most was the relationship that Smith shared with his son. Again, in our culture,where there are few rites of passage for our young men, Smith has used the wilderness for that. Brilliant! A great read for boomer men and the women who love them!
CLARITY ON HIGH.......2007-03-27
Despite being told time and time again that we will know when we have reached the highpoint of our lives, it is still a surprise to many when it is not where, when or what we thought it would be. Steve Smith can attest to that. As he somewhat arrogantly professes he had it all. Great job, great family, great friends, but sidelined by continual back ailments requiring numerous surgeries and the accompanying recovering periods he began to wonder.
What most folks don't know is that God, the Universe, or whomever you believe in, searches for ways to bring us clarity. We most often live our lives in sort of the "forest for the trees" mentality. It took Steve Smith a chance moment far above the treeline to see that an opportunity for achieving it may lie along the infamous John Muir Trail in his beloved Sierras.
Using the meticulousness Smith has built his career on he plans a series of hikes along the JMT. With, at various times, friends, family, colleagues and assorted professional packers, he visits the mountains, the meadows and the lakes of his dreams. And as he had hoped a bit of clarity is achieved with each pass that's crossed, each trout that's caught, and as each trip is completed.
Smith's narrative is a combination of brutal honesty, camp humor, and moments that show the author taking the time to really look at himself and see where he's not quite made the right choices when it came to deciding between his overly zealous work habits and quality time with his young family.
How we benefit is that we are given the chance to see that despite someone apparently having it all, there are still bad times to be endured and relationships that need to be mended. Learning from what Smith achieved on his adventures gives us all the chance to strive for that clarity on high.
Entertaining, informational and inspirational.......2007-03-06
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (2/07)
This is an amazing story of a man, who, while fulfilling a life time goal discovers so much more as he pondered the questions: "What will I learn? What was the meaning of life? And what was important to me?" He concluded, "I was beginning to sense that my purpose for hiking the John Muir Trail was larger and more important than I had imagined. It wasn't just about accomplishing a goal I had set. It was about shaping a better character for the second half of my life. I saw that I needed a higher level of maturity and purpose."
Smith relived a summer of backpacking in the Sierra's as he reviewed his detailed journals, translating them into "Escape to the Mountains." Much of that which Stephen chronicled in his journals I have to live vicariously, through him, having never backpacked. However, I experienced with him the sound of silence, the grandeur of the scenic vistas of the Sierra's, and the taste of blueberry cheesecake. Dozens of photos and maps illustrate the events and bring the story to life.
I was profoundly impacted by the insights he shared with his son in the chapter "Lessons Learned from the Mountains." These are the principles I would like to articulate to my own sons.
Smith is an outstanding communicator, motivator, and teacher. He introduced tips for back packing, fly fishing, and business management, while writing on the environment, goal setting, core values and family relationships. By the time I finished the final line of the last chapter of the book I felt I knew Stephen personally. This is a book I want to pass along to each of my own four sons.
Stephen Wade Smith's book, "Escape to the Mountain," is an inspiring story of a man finding strength, and renewal, of realigning his priorities through a return to nature on the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I highly recommend the book for nature lovers, back packers, and the thousands who, each year, visit the magnificent State and National Parks throughout our country.
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- The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat
- The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat
- The Findhorn Book of Practical Spirituality: A Down-to-Earth Guide to a Miraculous Life (The Findhorn Book Of series)
- The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State: Identification, Natural History, and Conservation
- The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight: Revised and Updated: The Fate of the World and What We Can Do Before It's Too Late
- The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight: Revised and Updated: The Fate of the World and What We Can Do Before It's Too Late
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Concise Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary of Current Usage
- Paula Deen Celebrates!: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life
- One Step Closer to Home
- Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route
- JOHN WAYNES AMERICA: The Politics of Celebrity
- Monte Carlo Methods in Bayesian Computation
- Life, Liberty, and the Defense of Dignity: The Challenge for Bioethics
- Bilateral Tax Treaties and Protocol: Estonia, Latvia, Venezuela, Denmark, Lithuania, Slovenia, Italy
- Multipreneuring
- What I Have Learned Since 1976
