Reviews

‎The Last Traverse: Tragedy and Resilience in the Winter Whites by Ty Gagne, Ty Gagne

bookishtraveler's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

3.75

Gagne does a good job re-creating the tension involved in this tragic hiking accident in the White Mountains of NH.  He also does a good job identifying without blaming the victims for the series of mistakes they made that led to the heartbreaking outcome.  It was very interesting in hearing the tale of a hike that I have gone on myself, albeit never in winter.  As a cautionary tale and informative winter hiking story, I found it really helpful and I will be adjusting some of my own winter hiking accordingly.

However, I found the telling of the victims' story repetitive, with too much attention given to helicopter and military details.  There was also a little too much detail about the rescuers' lives.

I'm glad I read it but I don't think I'll read another Gagne tragedy book.

rrrraaayyyy's review against another edition

5.0

I'm not sure if my having hiked this trail (in summer!), and living nearby-ish, makes me a bit more interested in this book than others may be, but I think this book is fantastic.

sarahlopod's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

ultimatebisbee's review against another edition

5.0

In a word: chilling. A book that gave me dreams of being cold for days.

I’ve hiked the Franconia Ridge in winter and I can tell you the author got every detail right; it was almost like a virtual hike. He tells the story with meticulous research and deep understanding of the people involved, from the ill-fated hikers to the determined rescuers.

kitoliver's review against another edition

5.0

Just as great as Where You'll Find Me, and a fascinating look at the perspective and story of a survivor. Wonderfully engaging, exciting, and terrifying, I absolutely couldn't put it down.

marianne96's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

4.0

bduchette's review against another edition

3.0

First book of November…someone returned this at the library and I wanted to read it as I’ve heard Ty Gagne speak before. It was well-researched and we’ll done. It’s about a winter rescue mission in the White Mountains under extreme conditions.

gmacphail's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful sad tense medium-paced

4.0

lunablue12's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

yibblez's review against another edition

adventurous informative sad medium-paced

3.5