Survive!: My Fight for Life in the High Sierras

By Peter DeLeo

Book Overview

The man who accomplished one of the most remarkable feats of survival in history finally tells the story of the event that made worldwide news. This inspiring story shows what sheer determination can achieve against impossible odds.

When Peter DeLeo set out one Sunday morning on a sightseeing and photography trip over the central Sierra Nevada mountains in California, he had no idea that he would soon be fighting for his life with the odds stacked very much against him. DeLeo's single-engine plane encountered turbulence, and he and his two passengers crashed in the mountains. All three survived the accident but sustained multiple injuries. DeLeo had broken ribs, a shattered ankle, and a badly damaged shoulder. After assessing their situation, they decided that the passengers should remain with the plane while DeLeo would hike out to bring back help. It was already winter; he left the limited emergency supplies with the plane's passengers; and he was hampered by his injuries, but DeLeo was determined to get help. He found or improvised shelter at night, carefully warmed himself during the daytime, drank from small pools of melted snow and ice, and slowly but steadily made his way toward civilization. Suffering from exhaustion and on the verge of collapse, he found a hot spring that provided him with temporary warmth and insects to eat. Injuries, dehydration, malnutrition, and a two-day blizzard slowed him, and a rockslide nearly killed him just as he glimpsed the valley and highway that he so desperately sought, but DeLeo's courage saw him through.

Meanwhile, Civil Air Patrol planes searched fruitlessly for the lost plane and for survivors; twice, DeLeo frantically tried to signal the search planes, but to no avail. When DeLeo finally reached a highway, he found it almost impossible to convince the authorities that he was the lost pilot who had been all but given up for dead. His astonishing survival, one of the most remarkable feats of endurance on record, made national and even international news.

Now, for the first time, Peter DeLeo tells his remarkable story in gripping detail. His amazing saga is destined to become a classic.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074327024X
• ISBN13: 9780743270243
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Honest, Accurate, Riviting

Having extensively visited this area (also participating in US Forest Service planning efforts and Congressional Wilderness proposals) this part of the Sequoia/Inyo National Forest(s) since about 1969, I have a keen knowledge of this area. Several months after the author's adventure, I had an opportunity to speak with him at length about the same - due in large part to being a customer of Hypersoft. The motorcycle his brother rode in an effort to access Sherman peak was purchased and maintained at our dealership. Still broken and battered from this adventure, Peter spoke with me for nearly three hours in the parking lot of our dealership and I heard this fascinating account - first hand. As Pete spoke, I clearly understood where he was during most of his hike out of the mountains. I found myself captivated as to what was being said. This was LONG before the book even thought about being written. I purchased this book a couple of weeks ago and closely compared what I recall of his personal account with me in the parking lot, what was told to me from US Forest Service personnel, from both folks I know at both Jordan Hot Springs and the Olivias cow camp (where Pete spent the night in the outhouse) and the this book. Without a doubt, the book is right on and accurate. I cannot recommend this book enough for those who wish a true story of human courage and survival. Well written and worth every penny.

true human grit

This is the kind of book everone should read. How far can you really push yourself if it is a life or death situation? The auther of this book went far beyond the norm. It was hard to put the book down. Nature was preductable and unpredictabe. Any one who ventures into the snow should read this book. I read this book and my grown kids have read the book. We all recomend it.

Survive Keeps Me Alive!

I couldn't put this book down. It's fairly simple reading, but the story is really intense and I'm amazed at the powerful force that can keep people moving forward. The fact that Peter DeLeo had to fight the elements and injuries for 13 days and still maintained a positive attitude is a sign of the power of the mind and the spirit. I've got a new passion for life.

I'm in awe...

I ordered the book shortly after it was published and when I say I couldn't put it down, I'm not kidding. It's been several weeks since I read the book and the story still amazes me. I started reading the book early on a Saturday morning and finished it a few hours later. Mind you, in the middle of that was a quick trip to the grocery store and an oil change. I was so absorbed and wrapped up in the story that I felt like I was living it. When he finally got out to the highway, I was sobbing like a baby. The book really moved me. I'm not very good at writing stuff like this. But, if nothing else, you've got to read this book!

FLAbookies

-Adventurers of the world will appreciate the tenacity, knowledge, and will to "survive" it took this man to beat incredible odds to live 13 days in the subfreezing weather without supplies. But I have to say, our book club of eight women (in the midst of our adventure of raising small children) loved this book for its hope, motivation and human spirit! The roller coaster of events and emotions make this story a compelling read. Peter's survival is a miracle - and the fact that he gives credence to a guiding presence is also testament of hope and faith. Peter may not be a professional writer but his story telling comes from within - it is his narritive of pain, and hope, and relationship with the nature with its tests and gifts. Anyone will be able to appreciate this book for it is truly an amazing story.