Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy

by Karen James

book data

15 ratings, 3.47 average rating, 10 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		26%
4		20%
3		33%
2		13%
1		6%

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published

November 11th 2008 by Thomas Nelson

binding

Hardcover, 256 pages

isbn

1595551751 (isbn13: 9781595551757)

description

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

...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 27)

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02/17/09

Erin rated it:

Read in January, 2009

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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04/18/09

Michael Brown rated it:

Read in March, 2009

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. Throug...more

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12/30/08

James E. Robinson, III rated it:

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in December, 2008

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 s...more

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01/08/09

Luke rated it:

Read in January, 2009

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 Kell...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 two friends died on Mt. Hood are given such as they are known, but no one knows precisely anything more than the general outline of their demise, and so in the end this does not take up but maybe a quarter of the book. The rest is really a narrative of how Karen coped during the rescue efforts and the months that followed after she learned Kelly wasn't coming back.

I believe Karen's personal knowledge of her husband informs her theory of his final days such that her insight is probably uniquely accurate in ways other investigators would not be able to match. At the same time, as his wife she also seems entirely incapable of evaluating critically any of his decisions leading up to the tragedy. If the climbers made mistakes, she doesn't acknowledge them. She's an optimist, and optimists insist on seeing the glass half full at all times. If you're looking for lessons or things to avoid in your own mountain-climbing, you will have to read between the lines.

I also wonder how the book might have been different, had more time passed betweent the accident and the writing. Kelly died in December of 2006 and the book came out less than two years later. Her life is still wrapped up to a large degree in her past, and not quite fully yet her future. An example of this is the fact she had Kelly buried in a special plot in which a second casket is planned to be placed on top of his at some future date. This second casket of course will be her own. This in spite of the fact that she is a young and rather beautiful woman who almost certainly will remarry before she dies. My point is, and quite understandably, at the time the book was written she was still thinking almost exclusively about what she had left behind, rather than what she has to look forward to.

Finally, a good portion of the story involves Karen and Kelly's faith in God. Particularly for Karen, her reliance on the almighty is an important factor in her efforts to recover from the trauma and grief of unexpectedly losing her husband. However, and no doubt I am also biased, but it always seems to me that God comes off pretty badly in these Christian tragedy stories. The people believe in his goodness the most are ironically the ones who he essentially let down the most, if you are to count the "millions" of unrequited prayers. Little proof or evidence is given that he actually even did so much as help them cope after the fact, though attempts are made. For example, Karen offers as evidence of God's continuing care for her a fortune cookie that she received at a restaurant not long after the accident, which had a message she felt was somehow related to Kelly, but which I failed to see the connection to.

To be fair, a person could "feel" God's presence and have a rather difficult time explaining it in a book. To understand Karen and her experiences would mean having to go through a similar one to hers, which thankfully I have never done.

Certainly Karen is a very earnest, trusting, and optimistic person, and regardless of your beliefs, it is hard not to be inspired in some small way by her obvious love for Kelly, and his obvious love for her and the outdoors.

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02/17/09

Glenn rated it:

Read in February, 2009

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.

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12/12/08

Kasey rated it:

Read in February, 2009

recommended to Kasey by: Today Show (I think)
recommends it for: Aunt Vicky

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 tea...more

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02/04/09

Dan Dabal added it

Read in February, 2009

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.

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