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FUN STUFF
[ MEDIA ROOM ]
The Last Man on the Mountain The Death of an American Adventurer on K2 By Jennifer Jordan While writing her first novel at base camp, nearly 12,000 feet below K2’s 28,250-foot summit, Jennifer Jordan took a short hike and literally stumbled upon the hero of her second book, The Last Man on the Mountain. Her horror at discovering the avalanche-tossed skeleton of rich American adventurer Dudley Wolf turned to fascination when she delved into the story of K2’s first climbing fatality and the journey of the expedition team that occupied the mountain during the summer of 1939. Jordan’s new book documents the trials of early high-alpine mountaineering while bringing Wolfe’s story to life with reconstructions based on details culled from letters, documented interviews, archived material from the American Alpine Club, conversations with Dudley’s remaining relatives, and advice from a handful of climbing experts. Though the few women characters in the story barely play supporting roles to the men who were directly involved, Jordan’s own discovery of the hero and her researched retelling of history give her voice a place among these early pioneers. W. W. Norton & Company, 2010; $27
Babes in the Woods Hiking, Camping, Boating with Babies and Young Children By Jennifer Aist Jennifer Aist had to wing it when she took to the backcountry with her infant daughter, but she’s become an educator and expert about parenting in the great outdoors. Born out of a frustration with camping guidebooks that only addressed issues with school-aged children, the Alaskan started taking notes about her own infant-toting techniques and gathering advice from other parents. She compiled it all in this comprehensive carry-along that has chapters on everything from toileting toddlers to protecting infants from insects to purchasing baby lifejackets. “The fact is, you can’t catch a cold from being cold or wet; very few children get lost in the woods; and, most importantly, babies and young children are incredibly resilient,” writes Aist. “It is my most sincere hope that this book will help more families begin a tradition of sharing our great backcountry with their children.” Mountaineers Books, 2010; $17
700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die A Traveler’s Guide By Nola Lee Kelsey
Waiting for inspiration? Just spend a few minutes with this hefty encyclopedia of voluntourism—traveling with a humanitarian or philanthropic project on the agenda. Kelsey compiles an indexed list of more than 750 organizations and volunteer opportunities around the world, including everything from administrative assisting at a panda research center in China, to excavating an ancient Roman city, to coordinating summer camp for disadvantaged kids in Belize. More inspiration than information, the book is unapologetic about its lack of travel logistics, but offers resources and advice from a slate of voluntourism professionals about prioritizing your goals and finding fulfilling work. With indexes listing projects by type, area, and volunteer qualifications (age limits, skill sets, or interest), any potential traveler can zero in on a program that’s sure to offer the opportunity of a lifetime. Dog’s Eye View Media, 2010; $23
3 MPH The Adventures of One Woman’s Walk around the World By Polly Letofsky
“One step at a time” is the gist of Polly Letofsky’s new book, 3 MPH. Starting from her Colorado home in 1999, Letofsky walked more than 14,124 miles across four continents (and wore through 29 pairs of shoes) to raise money and awareness about breast cancer, a disease that’s affected many of the women in her life. In addition to telling tales of inspiring adventure and detailing the specifics of her trip, the hefty tome also describes the everyday physical challenges, the political hurdles, and the emotional triumphs of her five year journey around the globe. Tendril Press, 2010; $20
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womensadventuremagazine.com