Denali: Climbing America's Highest Peak

Rating:
Summary: Introducing Children (and Adults!) to Mountaineering
Review: Denali by Mary Palmer is an excellent introduction to mountaineering. Palmer takes the reader on a fantasy trip climbing Denali in Alaska. On the way, the reader learns mountaineering techniques as well as the complex planning that goes into a climbing expedition. The author includes the planning of food supplies as well as tantilizing and mouthwatering recipes and menus. In addition to the necessary equipment and supplies required for such an expedition, the reader learns techniques like self-rescue, rope knotting and tying, use of ice axes, crampons, and crevasse rescue. Readers are walked through the entire expedition one step at a time, learning to set up base camps, build snow walls and set up tents, dig latrines, carry out waste products, store supplies and equipment for later, recognize avalanche danger, and avoid hypothermia, cerebral and pulmonary edema, and sunburn. While providing an exciting adventure in words, the author presents a very realistic view of the dangers of mountaineering and highlights the extensive preparation, mental and physical, required to even attempt such a feat. Activities that can be carried out in the classroom or home are provided throughout the virtual expedition that build on children's basic skills in various subject matter. Young readers are encouraged and invited to explore the world of mountaineering by beginning small right in their own backyard or classroom. As an adult interested in mountaineering, (I've climbed as high as 14,072 feet in snow), I found this book very instructive as well as fun! The past two and a half years I went through 7 surgeries due to a skiing accident involving my left leg. After my first read of Palmer's book, I was inspired to head outside for my first hike in many moons.

Rating:
Summary: Introducing Children (and Adults!) to Mountaineering
Review: Denali by Mary Palmer is an excellent introduction to mountaineering. Palmer takes the reader on a fantasy trip climbing Denali in Alaska. On the way, the reader learns mountaineering techniques as well as the complex planning that goes into a climbing expedition. The author includes the planning of food supplies as well as tantilizing and mouthwatering recipes and menus. In addition to the necessary equipment and supplies required for such an expedition, the reader learns techniques like self-rescue, rope knotting and tying, use of ice axes, crampons, and crevasse rescue. Readers are walked through the entire expedition one step at a time, learning to set up base camps, build snow walls and set up tents, dig latrines, carry out waste products, store supplies and equipment for later, recognize avalanche danger, and avoid hypothermia, cerebral and pulmonary edema, and sunburn. While providing an exciting adventure in words, the author presents a very realistic view of the dangers of mountaineering and highlights the extensive preparation, mental and physical, required to even attempt such a feat. Activities that can be carried out in the classroom or home are provided throughout the virtual expedition that build on children's basic skills in various subject matter. Young readers are encouraged and invited to explore the world of mountaineering by beginning small right in their own backyard or classroom. As an adult interested in mountaineering, (I've climbed as high as 14,072 feet in snow), I found this book very instructive as well as fun! The past two and a half years I went through 7 surgeries due to a skiing accident involving my left leg. After my first read of Palmer's book, I was inspired to head outside for my first hike in many moons.