This funny and sometimes cringe-inducing story tells of a young woman's experience as a climbing ranger on Mt. Rainier, where respect is hard won a...
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reviews
Jan 19, 2010
Andy
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This is Bree Loewen's book about her experience as a woman climbing ranger on Mt Rainier. She has a self deprecating sense of humor which is part of her lively writing style,
Her book includes suspenseful stories of rescues, the mundane work and life of a low paid climbing ranger and her perspective of the treatment of women climbing rangers. One of the more poignant chapters was a solo climb she did at about the same time as a novice climber who kept a journal of his climb and her desc More...
Her book includes suspenseful stories of rescues, the mundane work and life of a low paid climbing ranger and her perspective of the treatment of women climbing rangers. One of the more poignant chapters was a solo climb she did at about the same time as a novice climber who kept a journal of his climb and her desc More...
Apr 13, 2011
Andrea
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I enjoyed this book. One thing I appreciated was that I did not feel like Bree Loewen was trying to "put words" into other people's mouths (sorry, I know this is cliche, I just can't think of a better way to say it). Loewen really tried to speak about her experiences as a ranger on Mt. Rainer, without generalizing or suggesting that all rangers feel a certain way about the job. One clear theme is Loewen's need to connect with others through climbing and harsh experiences,something she
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Aug 03, 2010
Tom
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Pickets and Dead Men provides a rare window into the daily life of a Mount Rainier Climbing Ranger. Where Dee Molenaar's excellent book The Challenge of Rainier took a historical look at rangers and climbing on the mountain, this book delivers the heartfelt renderings of one ranger over her few seasons.
Having climbed Mt. Rainier a number of times I was excited to read this book. Although at times Loewen writes passionately about the mountain and her experiences, there was often a he More...
Having climbed Mt. Rainier a number of times I was excited to read this book. Although at times Loewen writes passionately about the mountain and her experiences, there was often a he More...
Jul 12, 2009
Betsey
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If you ever loved reading those "Drama In Real Life" stories in Reader's Digest, and I did, you'll enjoy this memoir of a young, new, female climbing ranger on Mt Rainier. Some of her experiences on the mountain were really shocking, mostly in the actions of other climbers she encounters. This is another book I read while nursing, and Loewen's message that we do not tackle things because they are easy but because they are difficult, resonated with me in the middle of the night when I
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Oct 15, 2011
Jeannie
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Fascinating look at three seasons of climbing rescues on Mt. Rainier, written by a young female ranger who not only had to battle the elements, but also the climbers and the powers that be that didn't support women in this field. Not a whiny book. She was good at presenting all sides, and had a good sense of her won capabilities.
Aug 17, 2009
Jane
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I thought this book was a great raw narrative and had moments when it was both gut-wrenching and really funny at the same time. It was a page turner and I liked the underlying message about the importance of having good community. It could've been longer.
Jun 16, 2009
Kimberlybrennantyler
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A females perspective on being a climbing guide on Ranier, a mountain that eats people. The details are incomplete so it mainly just provides a brief background with beautiful descriptions of the backdrop. A light read.
Jul 26, 2009
Kjes
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One of the few female mountain guides on Mt. Rainier writes of her time working there, where she is treated badly by the rest of the egotistical, misogynistic staff. Somehow I'm not surprised.
May 13, 2010
Jwrosenzweig
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My full review can be read on my blog: http://followingpulitzer.wordpress.com/2...
Aug 06, 2011
Heath
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An interesting viewpoint of a female ranger on Mt. Rainer. Definitely worth the read!
Dec 30, 2009
Heather
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A fascinating book about Bree Loewen's experiences over three years as a climbing ranger on Mt. Rainier. Those rangers face an incredibly tough life, and I don't blame her for quitting. Not the life for me, thanks, except maybe for the copious amounts of macaroni and cheese that Bree eats throughout the book.
Jul 06, 2009
Krista
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This was such a good read - what an amazing behind-the-scenes view from the Rangers at Rainier. I was shocked to hear just how unsafe they constantly are as well. The Author has completely dry humor which I really appreciated.
Nov 11, 2011
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