A resident of Hood River, Ore., an emergency room physician and a member of Crag Rats (“the first official volunteer mountain rescue group in the nation”), Van Tilburg (Emergency Survival: A Pocket Guide
) has divided his fast-paced account of Mt. Hood rescues by season. In the winter, he explains the dangers of tree wells, patches of loose snow that can snare skiers and snowboarders. One hot Fourth of July, he takes a trek through icy black water in a box canyon, engineering the tricky retrieval of a cliff jumper with a back fracture. Detailing each rescue operation from the first call mobilizing teams of volunteers to grateful notes from the families of those rescued, Van Tilburg also offers snippets of environmental history and outdoor law. For readers who are unfamiliar with the rugged and beautiful Hood River area, he balances its undeniable perils with the joys of its scenic wonders, noting that “the thrill of risk is an inseparable aspect of adventure sport.” 8 pages of color photos not seen by PW
. (Nov. 13)
