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Rating: 
Summary: A Powerful and Touching Family Drama
Review: As a native Portlander who had spent many days on Mt. Hood, I remember rather clearly those days back in May of 1986 when the tragedy referred to in this book took place. I remember the painful days when searchers were looking for the kids trapped on the mountain, and I remember the swirl of controversy and questions that surrounded the days, or weeks after the accident. One of the materializations that still stick out is how even though a tremendous amount of energy went into trying to understand how and why this happened. And even though several reports were written by various sources, nothing absolute, detailed and concrete was presented in the form of investigative journalism written for the public. Even though as a mountaineer I had read virtually everything I could on the tragedy, there were several pieces in the puzzle still not told. Parts of those pieces could only be told by the dead. But other parts could be filled in by four main survivors. Survivors that for one reason or the other, remained rather silent. Perhaps for disrespect of blaming the dead (as the group leader, who made the most decisions, did not survive). While this is understandable, it doesn't sit very well for those trying to understand what happened. Especially when professed by those wanting to make sure this never happens again. Even to this day, I am not completely certain what went on up there. Perhaps one may think I have too much of a morbid curiosity, but I believe my feelings are felt by many. All of this leads us to this book. Written by the mother of one of the survivors (Giles). Who was perhaps the toughest survivor. While this book recants some of what had already been covered in most all of the reports, it still does not fill in the missing blanks. But I must state, that once that is accepted (probably more difficult for those of us who remember what happened, and what didn't), this book is quite well written from a very personal, caring viewpoint. The difficulties and recovery of the mother and the son are quite powerful, and sometimes inspiring. It is truly an amazing story that touches the reader on a deep level. All that said, if you, like me, are looking for a final detailed account of the 1986 OES Mt. Hood tragedy, this book isn't it. But what it is, is a moving drama of a family's will to survive and understand life in the face of tremendous adversity, and can be recommended on that level.
Rating:
Summary: The Mountain Never Cries
Review: I know the expression "couldn't put is down" is not original, but that's how it was with this book. So often I had to blink back tears and swallow the lump in my throat as I read. The story of the devasting impact the Tragedy has on a family and the way courage, hope and prayer help them carry on is awe-inspiring.
Rating:
Summary: The Mountain Never Cries
Review: I know the expression "couldn't put is down" is not original, but that's how it was with this book. So often I had to blink back tears and swallow the lump in my throat as I read. The story of the devasting impact the Tragedy has on a family and the way courage, hope and prayer help them carry on is awe-inspiring.
Rating: 
Summary: The Will to Survive
Review: This moving and poignant story begans on Monday afernoon, May 12, 1986, when a routine climb on Mt. Hood, Oregon, turned into a nightmare. Ten students from Oregon Episcopal School and three adults were caught in a freak snowstorm. With no visibility and at least one student suffering from hypothermia, the party dug into a samll snowcave. The next morning, the guide and a student managed to decend the mountain, thus begining a frantic search that would end up lasting well over two days. Ann Holoday, the author, was one of the parents who saw hope fade as the storm left any sign of the cave and its climbers buried under an emmense white blanket, while another approaching storm left rescuers with a dwindling timeline. Her son, Giles Thompson, was one of the sophomores on the annual climb. As she recalls those dark hours of gazing at Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge (Built as one of F. Roosevelt's WPA projects), Ann recalls the circumstances that led her family to the Pacific Northwest, from England, Puerto Rico, and Texas. The author recalls times of joy, but also uncertainty about leaving England, guilt about a career that left too little time for her three children, and a bitterweet recollection of a marriage that almost ended, but came together before her husband's death from cancer. Remarriage led her family to Longview, WA, and her children to OES in Portland, OR. As rescuers were about to end their search on Thursday afternoon, May 15, a probe struck a backpack near the cave's entrance. Of the 11 who had been in the cave 72 hours, only two would survived; Giles, and a girl, Brittany. For Giles, recovery would be especially grueling. For a week he was unconsious with his survival in doubt, before doctors were forced to ammutate Gile's legs. The proceedure worked, freeing his system from the toxins brought by dead tissue, but the following weeks brought more compications, infections, and multiple surgeries. One feels the pain of Giles as his mother recalls in detail the long ordeal. Finally, in August, Giles was able to return home, and, the following month, to OES. Memories of the climb, trying to study with nerve damaged hands, and learning to walk with prosthetics provided more challenges. Giles adjusted, though, and Ann recalls with pride her son's success at learning to ski again, even participating in the Handicap Olympics and becoming active in Ted Kennedy Jr's (who lost a leg to cancer) organization, Facing the Challenge. Giles gruaduated from OES and Colorado College and now lives in Seattle with his wife and two young children. His brother and sister are doing well, too, as are Ann and her husband. Yes, there are happy endings. Ann's ending for her book includes this statement: "If this book leaves the reader with any one thought, I would like it to be the celebration of this human spirit which brings us closer together in times of trouble. I don't think we will ever completely recover from the accident, but it is possible to move on and get on with life." Surley, that is a thought all of us need to ponder. In any life there are storms and sorrows, struggles and sacrafices, but with faith, hope, and the love of family and fiends, we can endure. Ann Holoday does a marvelous job of sharing her son's great struggle, and how their family endured. I would highly recommend that everyone read, "The Mountain Never Cries."
Rating:
Summary: The Will to Survive
Review: This moving and poignant story begans on Monday afernoon, May 12, 1986, when a routine climb on Mt. Hood, Oregon, turned into a nightmare. Ten students from Oregon Episcopal School and three adults were caught in a freak snowstorm. With no visibility and at least one student suffering from hypothermia, the party dug into a samll snowcave. The next morning, the guide and a student managed to decend the mountain, thus begining a frantic search that would end up lasting well over two days. Ann Holoday, the author, was one of the parents who saw hope fade as the storm left any sign of the cave and its climbers buried under an emmense white blanket, while another approaching storm left rescuers with a dwindling timeline. Her son, Giles Thompson, was one of the sophomores on the annual climb. As she recalls those dark hours of gazing at Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge (Built as one of F. Roosevelt's WPA projects), Ann recalls the circumstances that led her family to the Pacific Northwest, from England, Puerto Rico, and Texas. The author recalls times of joy, but also uncertainty about leaving England, guilt about a career that left too little time for her three children, and a bitterweet recollection of a marriage that almost ended, but came together before her husband's death from cancer. Remarriage led her family to Longview, WA, and her children to OES in Portland, OR. As rescuers were about to end their search on Thursday afternoon, May 15, a probe struck a backpack near the cave's entrance. Of the 11 who had been in the cave 72 hours, only two would survived; Giles, and a girl, Brittany. For Giles, recovery would be especially grueling. For a week he was unconsious with his survival in doubt, before doctors were forced to ammutate Gile's legs. The proceedure worked, freeing his system from the toxins brought by dead tissue, but the following weeks brought more compications, infections, and multiple surgeries. One feels the pain of Giles as his mother recalls in detail the long ordeal. Finally, in August, Giles was able to return home, and, the following month, to OES. Memories of the climb, trying to study with nerve damaged hands, and learning to walk with prosthetics provided more challenges. Giles adjusted, though, and Ann recalls with pride her son's success at learning to ski again, even participating in the Handicap Olympics and becoming active in Ted Kennedy Jr's (who lost a leg to cancer) organization, Facing the Challenge. Giles gruaduated from OES and Colorado College and now lives in Seattle with his wife and two young children. His brother and sister are doing well, too, as are Ann and her husband. Yes, there are happy endings. Ann's ending for her book includes this statement: "If this book leaves the reader with any one thought, I would like it to be the celebration of this human spirit which brings us closer together in times of trouble. I don't think we will ever completely recover from the accident, but it is possible to move on and get on with life." Surley, that is a thought all of us need to ponder. In any life there are storms and sorrows, struggles and sacrafices, but with faith, hope, and the love of family and fiends, we can endure. Ann Holoday does a marvelous job of sharing her son's great struggle, and how their family endured. I would highly recommend that everyone read, "The Mountain Never Cries."
Rating:
Summary: Picks up where "Into Thin Air" left off
Review: Through mere coincidense I had the opportunty to first meet Giles Thompson and a few weeks later get to know Ann Holaday. During my meeting with Giles he mentioned very little of his accident and his mother never talked about it, they both live a normal life. It was only through luck and a little bit of detective work that I discovered Ms. Holaday's book. I am thrilled that I did find it. Initially I was hoping for a book similiar to "Into Thin Air" in it's depth of the experience on the mountain. I quickly found that it was not the tale of the horrors on the mountain, however it is a story of survival after the disaster. The story really starts with Giles coming off of the mountain and finding the extent of the damage to his body and the difficulty in overcoming those challenges related to his recovery and learning to live again. I think it is a great book for anyone who faces challenges in the life and an inspirational story for all. Ms. Holaday is a talented writer and a refreshing pen in the world of literature.
Rating:
Summary: Picks up where "Into Thin Air" left off
Review: Through mere coincidense I had the opportunty to first meet Giles Thompson and a few weeks later get to know Ann Holaday. During my meeting with Giles he mentioned very little of his accident and his mother never talked about it, they both live a normal life. It was only through luck and a little bit of detective work that I discovered Ms. Holaday's book. I am thrilled that I did find it. Initially I was hoping for a book similiar to "Into Thin Air" in it's depth of the experience on the mountain. I quickly found that it was not the tale of the horrors on the mountain, however it is a story of survival after the disaster. The story really starts with Giles coming off of the mountain and finding the extent of the damage to his body and the difficulty in overcoming those challenges related to his recovery and learning to live again. I think it is a great book for anyone who faces challenges in the life and an inspirational story for all. Ms. Holaday is a talented writer and a refreshing pen in the world of literature.
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