"Where You'll Find Me", Risk, Decisions, and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova

“Where You’ll Find Me”, Risk, Decisions and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova by Ty Gagne

Wow, I purchased “Where You’ll Find Me” at an AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) event on a Saturday, started reading Saturday night and had to finish it Sunday.   In the makeshift AMC Bookstore at the event, I had overheard someone who had read it, say to another enthusiast, “once you pick this up, you won’t want to put it down until you complete it”.  They sure were on target. 

Kate Matrosova’s story is the compelling part of this human endeavor; but for any outdoor enthusiast at almost any level of the sports available, this should be a “must read” book.  Some of the reasons I selected the book are personal; but the book and Kate’s story, and the story of those who gathered together and worked to save her, is riveting.

In this work, Ty Gagne explores the science behind making decisions in life or in the wilderness; sometimes without good information or with historical emotions that sway those decisions from reality.  These decisions made by outdoor enthusiasts, often complicated by environmental issues and challenges in the face of real or perceived dangers, are sometimes critical.  As one of those enthusiasts, it sure explains some of the scrapes or close calls I have had during my outings, especially when I thought I was very well prepared and ready to tackle the adventure at hand. 

Kate’s preparation is way more intense and at expert levels then most of us will ever accomplish and were probably amazing in their own adventure.  Having climbed some of the worlds most iconic mountaintops, she found the historically difficult Presidential’s in New Hampshire proved to be the biggest test.   And if you are even remotely familiar with Mt. Washington and the Presidentials, you know the details of how wildly unpredictable the weather can be and how it can change in an instant.

They story of the Search and Rescue (SAR) teams is extraordinary in the depth of their knowledge and how they operate in decision making; crucial to the job they undertake when someone is in trouble in the wilderness in New Hampshire.  These amazing outdoor experts put their all into the jobs they have daily, and certainly in their volunteering for SAR duty.

This story is heartening and heartbreaking at the same time.  A great read and tribute to those who go outdoors, and those men and women who help save lives when thing don’t go as planned.  A must read for those of us who spend time in the wilderness. 

(as reviewed by Emerson J. Clauss III)