Pickets and Dead Men: Seasons on Rainier

By Bree Loewen

* A women's perspective on the macho world of climbing rangers * Rescues, egos, and breakfast burritos on Mt. Rainier Being a climbing ranger on Mount Rainier proved to be a life-altering experience... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594851018
• ISBN13: 9781594851018
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books
• Length: 189 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

You Always Wondered What Those Rangers Did Behind the Scenes . . .

I always wondered what they did. I've had multiple contacts with forest rangers over years of hiking the backcountry--one of them with a female ranger who carried a pack twice the size of mine. Well, this book gives the answer. Besides increasing your respect for the ranger who safeguards your unknowledgeable neighbor on the trail, this is a highly readable, grammatically correct, and utterly captivating series of memories. Anyone who has ever hiked the backcountry, whether the Sierras (me!) or Mount Rainier (my brother!) MUST read this book! Bree--I've got your back! Ed Author, Sierra Quest

Pickets and Dead Men

This book exemplifies the raw mountaineering narrative. As someone who summitted Rainier myself, I was spellbound by the first-hand account of doing rescues there, realizing what the people who carry dead climbers off the mountain actually do and say. The things I learned in this book are not easily forgotten, but I would recommend it to anyone who climbs, or has relatives who do.

Highly Enjoyable!!

As someone who gets to actually spend time with Bree in real life, I was very delighted to find that reading the book is akin to listening to Bree tell the story. While many of us jaunt into the wilderness for the weekend, doing it as a full time job looks like a dream - until you peel back the veneer a bit and you see what is underneath... Written with a wonderfully engaging style, you'll find it quite a pleasure to turn the pages and continue on the adventure with Bree as your guide.

Great tales from Rainier!

I loved this book! As a climber, I appreciate Loewen's acknowledgment of the physical and mental challenges she struggled through. Her descriptions brought her stories to life and gave me an idea of the harsh world she faced while working on Rainier. The dry, self deprecating and humorous style made this an exceptional climbing book and I think it would enthrall non-climbers as well. Raw, and tough.....and a macaroni and cheese eating delight. I loved the level of detail and personal introspection, great book!

A fascinating glimpse into an unfamiliar lifestyle.

As a non-climber, this book provided a fascinating glimpse at a totally unfamiliar way of life. Loewen writes with such a humble, honest tone. She has a great sense of humor and fills the story with insight and emotion. Her love and utter respect for the mountain shine through the turmoil and suffering she endured to live out her 'dream job'. I really enjoyed this book.