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Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy
by
Karen James
A journey of adventure, tragedy, love, and loss on the summit of Mt. Hood.
In December 2006, millions of people across the world prayed and waited in anguish to learn the fate of 3 climbers trapped on Mt. Hood. The worst storm in the last decade was pounding the mountain with hurricane-force winds that would not permit the army of rescue workers to do their work. No one bel...more
In December 2006, millions of people across the world prayed and waited in anguish to learn the fate of 3 climbers trapped on Mt. Hood. The worst storm in the last decade was pounding the mountain with hurricane-force winds that would not permit the army of rescue workers to do their work. No one bel...more
Hardcover, 225 pages
Published
November 14th 2008
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
(first published November 11th 2008)
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Since I live in Colorado, I often hear of tragic stories around climbing expeditions but I've never heard one that impacted my life as greatly as this one. Back in 2006, Kelly James and two of his close climbing buddies attempted to summit Mount Hood during one of the worst storms of the winter season. Karen James, Kelly's wife, was left waiting to hear back from her husband to contact her about their progress but little did she know that her last phone call from him as he was in a snow cave wou...more
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How one woman held on to her faith after her husband's tragic death
In "Holding Fast for Purpose," Karen James tells the story of losing her man to a mountain. Kelly James was a man's man; a follower of Jesus; a lover of life; a godly dad and hopeless romantic. He was a 25-year veteran mountaineer who had straddled the world's most famous summits. But the final peak swallowed him whole and refused to give him back.
In her book, Karen shares her desperation as a rescue operation is mounted...more
Though their time together didn’t start until somewhat later in life and was cut tragically short, it is clear that Karen and Kelly James were soul-mates who were simply meant to be together. Holding Fast is the story of Karen’s and Kelly’s lives together, culminating with the recounting of the tragic climbing accident on Mount Hood that took the lives of Kelly and his two climbing partners. Though the outcome of the true life events that are the subject of this book are known going in, that in...more
This is a GREAT book. I don't remember hearing about the Mount Hood Tragedy. And to tell the truth I was skeptical if I would even like reading this book. The question to was -- would it be to emotional and uninteresting and such.
But, when I started reading this book I got hooked really quick. Karen James is a phenomenal writer. While reading this book you know what the end result of the mountain climbing of Kelly, Brian, and Nikko but not all the background or who they were. Through Karen's bo...more
But, when I started reading this book I got hooked really quick. Karen James is a phenomenal writer. While reading this book you know what the end result of the mountain climbing of Kelly, Brian, and Nikko but not all the background or who they were. Through Karen's bo...more
Disclaimer: i received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers for review.
This book was a surprise. When the preface tells you how the story ends (yes, i know the title has tragedy in it, but i had not actually heard of the story -- i generally don't watch the news), it leaves you wondering how the rest of the story could be engaging. Wow, was i wrong.
Karen James walks you thru the period before the tragedy and after in a manner that is interesting and even suspenseful. As the characte...more
This book was a surprise. When the preface tells you how the story ends (yes, i know the title has tragedy in it, but i had not actually heard of the story -- i generally don't watch the news), it leaves you wondering how the rest of the story could be engaging. Wow, was i wrong.
Karen James walks you thru the period before the tragedy and after in a manner that is interesting and even suspenseful. As the characte...more
I had followed the Mt. Hood tragedy when it happened, but I never really found out what really happened. Since I love reading climbing books (and I love actually climbing), I had high hopes that I would find out "The Untold Story of the Mt. Hood Tragedy". I was certainly wrong. I expect most climbers would agree.
First of all, I rarely rate a book less than 3 out of 5. I am not trying to be judgmental or insensitive. The back cover of this book simply didn't match the contents or I never would ha
...more
Karen James' husband Kelly died on Mt. Hood several years ago when he & his climbing companions were caught in the storm of the decade. It was spiritually uplifting to me to read Karen's honest account of her pain while still maintaining a strong faith in God and His plans for her life. Karen's skills as a former journalist make this a very well written book and it was interesting to see how she felt being on "the other side" of a media firestorm while reporters literally camped out near Tim...more
Karen James, the wife of climber Kelly James, does a good job in this book of describing the shock, horror, and devastation that occurs to those left behind after a loved one's untimely death. One also gets a very real sense that Kelly was a pretty special guy, even though she doesn't go much into his past, or his life outside of climbing. At least in the way she describes it, their relationship and marriage would have been something to envy.
The details of the accident in which Kelly and his tw...more
The details of the accident in which Kelly and his tw...more
This was a heart felt story written by Karen James that puts you right there with her and the family through the devastation that they have to encounter. when reading this book I felt as if I was there holding her hands. I had the opportunity to see and hear Karen speak at the Women of Faith Conference this year and it was truly a blessing. Get this book and hear the story of the love of her husband and family.
Jul 28, 2011
Laura Holland
added it
Some people are truly extreme sports people, and Kelly James was one of them. Interesting to hear the story of the 3 hikers who died on Mt. Hood in December of 2006 from the family perspective after watching and reading the news on it for weeks. I thought there was a lot of repetition in Karen James's writing, but I could identify with the power of God in bringing you through grief.
I borrowed this book from a friend after watching Karen speak at a conference in Seattle. I read it in one setting. She had me in tears during her talk about her journey during and after that tragedy on Mt. Hood. I remember that well, checking CNN.com several times during the day for updates on the missing climbers. It is clear that Kelly and Karen were soulmates, such a moving story, so much love. I was mostly intrigued by Kelly's love for mountain climbing, made me smile when I read one part i...more
I hoped for more information about the actual search and the technical aspects thereof. I wasn't as interested in their personal relationship, which seemed to take up much of the book. Also, I understand that they are Christians but she should have either printed a word or chosen not to use it (D____ "damn"). Seemed like it was written for children in some cases.
I remember when this was in the news in Dec 2006 - the wife of one of three climbers who attempted a summit of Mt Hood tells the story of their life, their love, their family, and the rescue attempts, and how her faith gave her strength through the ordeal. Rescue attempts were hampered for several days due to blizzard conditions.
Feb 27, 2009
Kasey
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Aunt Vicky
Recommended to Kasey by:
Today Show (I think)
I saw an interview with the author on line and was really touched by how collected she was. You could tell she truly loved her husband and the friends involved in the tragedy, and since I see Mt. Hood almost everyday I wanted to hear the entire story. I remember the newstory during the search and as the author noted it really seemed like the entire state was pulling for a Christmas miracle.
I think it took me a day and a half to read the book, with Gord & Ash giggling at my river of tears. Y...more
I think it took me a day and a half to read the book, with Gord & Ash giggling at my river of tears. Y...more
Holding fast is the story of Karen James, not Kelly James. Even so, it was an interesting read. Having experienced loss in my family, I could empathize with her deeply and found it hard to read without tears. If you do not have faith, you will not get this book.
It is hard to imagine the awful circumstances Karen James was forced to endure at the loss of her husband in a climbing accident on Mt Hood,but she has done well portraying it in this book. I liked very much how she wrote about the incident. The first part deals with the unending rescue and painful wait. The second part is the loss itself. And lastly, she paints a picture of what she believes happened during Kelly's days on the mountain. But what I found inspiring was her spiritual insights. It'...more
Feb 04, 2009
Dan Dabal
added it
I am into stories of endurance and survival, this is more about the human spirit , love of family and god.
Im not very spiritual but none the less see the value faith has for some. the book was good but very depressing in its body.
Im not very spiritual but none the less see the value faith has for some. the book was good but very depressing in its body.
While it's an interesting look not only at the tragedy itself and how one woman/family dealt with it, I was just so heartbroken for the family's misguided faith that it wasn't a great read for me.
I enjoyed this very much because you got the inside scoop of what really happened to the climbers and how it happened told by his wife. It is also a love story as well as a tragedy.
This was a very interesting book. I vaguely remember hearing about this story back in 2006, but I learned a lot about the men involved in this tragedy, and the families they left behind.
This is a really interesting example of how a dead person's life story is molded and crafted by others after their death. It wasn't quite to my taste, but it was a quick read nonetheless.
Karen James relates her story with honesty and emotion. So many women fear losing the man they love, and this book gives hope that there is life beyond the loss. Thank you Karen.
Such a great book! You don't want to put it down. Incredibly heart wrenching but an amazing story and very well written!
You can find my full review at Quieted Waters.
Holding Fast is the true story of a wife’s anxiety, agony, and faith as her husband was stranded and eventually killed in a mountain climbing accident on Mt. Hood. A trip, planned to last 2 days, turned into days of anxious trepidation for the family of Kelly James as he did not come down from the mountain.
Sad, but inspiring, faith building.
Heart-wrenching but inspiring.
Mostly focuses on the wife's thoughts on what happened on Mount Hood and how her faith got her through the ordeal.
Jan 10, 2009
Paul
marked it as to-read
Written by my parents' friend.
Heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. Once you start reading this, its nearly impossible to put down!
I gave up on this about a third of the way through. Not too interesting, just the wife's speculations on what she thinks happened.
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