Big Walls, Swift Waters: Epic Stories from Yosemite Search and Rescue

by Charles R. Farabee

The men and women of Yosemite Search and Rescue work around the clock, ready to respond at any hour in any weather. It’s not all helicopter heroics and plucking unlucky rock jocks off The Nose of El Capitan. It also means helping the teen with the busted ankle on the Mist Trail, finding the missing child in Tuolumne Meadows, and rescuing the newlywed clinging to a slick rock after her raft implodes.

Most of Yosemite’s nearly 4 million annual visitors leave the park without a scratch. For a few, however, a vacation in this world-famous land of cliffs and waterfalls takes a turn for the terrifying. That’s where the YOSAR team comes in.

Author and legendary YOSAR team member Butch Farabee relates epic tales of endurance and survival, misadventure and fatal consequences. Also included are:
the origins of Search and Rescue in the national parks, including the U.S. Army’s key role;
advice for staying safe in the park;
profiles of SAR pros who do this dangerous work every day;
stories about YODOGS and animal rescues;
innovative techniques developed in Yosemite and now used around the world;
photos and descriptions of top-tier gear used by this world-class team of medics, climbers, and swift-water experts;
stats that any adventure geek will love;
and, of course, plenty of helicopters!
A must-read for thrill-seekers, armchair travelers, national park novices, and expert explorers alike. Get the inside story on the elite YOSAR team, and get inspired (and informed) for adventure anywhere!

Genres: Adventure, Nonfiction, Outdoors

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2017

Reviews

[Raven]

The coffee table picture-book version of the author's earlier works in describing peoples' misadventures in national parks, and what the jobs of park rangers and Search and Rescue volunteers involve. My biggest complaint with the book was the layout -- with sidebars on literally every page discussing different topics than the main text, and pictures and informational boxes throughout, the content distracts you from itself. (Also, a lot of the content discusses cases previously covered more thoroughly in "Death in Yosemite".) I feel bad about not liking the book much, since I'm a SAR person myself and the content is fairly relevant to me. Unfortunately, I just can't get over how irritating it is to try to read anything coherently. This is more the kind of book that I'd send to my Dad when he asks about what it is I do.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical look at Search and Rescue both in Yosemite but also in the National Parks in general . Stories of mishaps focuses on how the person was rescued but does give you insight into what may have caused the incident in the first place. While not all accidents are preventable, may times the outcome depends on preparations to deal with worst case scenarios. Good read for hikers regardless of level .

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great info, but not the smoothest reading experience. Maybe it’s intended to be read piecemeal, though, and I went through it in an afternoon. I really appreciated the photos.