Miracle on the Mountain: A True Tale of Faith and Survival

by Mike Couillard, Marilyn Hoffer

It was a cold yet breathtakingly beautiful day in January 1995 when Mike Couillard, a United States Air Force officer on assignment in Turkey, took his son Matthew skiing. As they rode the T-bar to the magnificent peaks of the 7,300-foot-high Kartalkaya Mountain, there was nothing to foretell the nightmare that was to come.It was the middle of the afternoon when they reached the top and, although it had started to snow, they still had time to ski. An experienced skier, Mike made note of his surroundings and kept the overhead line in sight as they glided downward. But suddenly the snow fell harder, visibility decreased, hidden rocks sent them plunging into the snow, and dense stands of pine trees forced them off the trail. Desperately, they looked for the lift line - or anything familiar - and saw nothing but white. They were lost.In the days that followed, Mike and his son desperately fought cold and hunger, while U.S. and Turkish teams were conducting a massive search and the story was making headlines throughout the world. But as hope for survival dwindled, their family and friends could do nothing but pray. Mike a Matt also asked for God's help, as Mike made the most difficult decision of his life - on that could mean death or salvation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Survival

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart wrenching account of a perfect storm that catapults a father and son into the fight of their lives. His wife’s account is a parallel story where she and her kids helplessly wait for news of the rescue efforts. This is a story of faith, love, and survival and the strength found in prayer and God.

[Sandy Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story of survival and trusting in God.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing story. Got a little slow in the middle. Would have loved to have heard more about the rescue and aftermath.

[Linda Paschen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this true story of faith to be mezmerizing due to the dangerous enviornment that the father and son had to survive in.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Couillard is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. He is on assignment in Ankara, Turkey when he decides to take his Son Matthew skiing in his free time. When they started out it was a sunny but cold day but by the time they reached the summit it started to snow. Mike makes sure they make notes of their surroundings and uses the overhead line of the lift of a guide. As they ski down the snow grows heavy and visibility becomes impossible and they find themselves lost. When they fail to report in time for the transport bus Mike’s other son Mark becomes very worried and starts to seek out help on finding them. A massive search is started and rumors start as to what happened to them. Good and does not get real preachy but does show you the true faith they have in others and themselves. The story does end up being an uplifting survival story but does leave you shaking your head on some of the choices the Father makes. Writing is so so but worth the read.

[James Affleck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty exciting book once it got started. It seemed a little slow getting started, but I really enjoyed reading about the struggle it was for a father, a son, and a mother to maintain faith when the father and his 10 year old son were lost on a mountain in turkey skiing for 9 days.
The story is very personal and mostly covers their thoughts, fears and to a lesser extent the conversations they had with others.
This account was very inspiring for how much everyone in the family relied on prayer and the grace of God to help get them through this

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike and son Matthew get lost while skiing Jan 15 to Jan 24, 1995 in Turkey. Really amazing story.
This story shows the magnificent power of prayer: Jeremiah 29:11-13 "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me, and I will answer you. You will seek Me, and you will find me, and you will find Me because you will seek Me with all your heart."

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good read considering I hadn't heard anything about it and just picked it off the shelf at the library. Good survival story mixed with a religious family's struggle to cope. I will always be more prepared when I go skiing:)

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will definitely need to keep your Kleenex close at hand! Very inspirational moving story.