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There is nothing quite like reading a good book. Page after page, we find ourselves intoxicated with what is next, learning and becoming motivated by the printed word. Books inspire us, teach us, and connect us to hobbies and landscapes near and far. For us, and maybe even you, books are a way to relax and rejuvenate our souls on rainy days and dark nights. While there are thousands of books we love, there are five we would like to recommend right now, each hopefully bringing you as much joy as they brought us.
Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb
https://www.amazon.com/Eager-Surprising-Secret-Beavers-Matter/dp/160358739X
If you love nature, the outdoors, wildlife, or pretty much anything, you are going to thoroughly enjoy this book. Fun to read, incredibly educational and well-written, Ben Goldfarb has a classic on his hands, documenting the rise and fall of beavers, and the reason why they are a cornerstone species. This book is something that you’ll talk about non-stop to anyone who will listen, and will forever change you perspective of the lands of America, from public to private. I sincerely can’t recommend this book enough. From the titles of the chapters to the incredible stories and science based facts laid out, Eager is a dam good book. Follow Ben on Twitter and pick up his book. You won’t be able to put it down.
Training for the new Alpinism by Steve House & Scott Johnston
Hands down my favorite and only “training manual” I swear by. I run, so I can climb mountains. So my training needs to make me a better mountaineer and overall athlete, not just a better runner. At least that’s my theory. Steve House and Scott Johnston combine decades of real world high altitude mountaineering experience with a thorough medical and physiological perspective to bring you over 450 pages jammed packed with great advice, good tips, inspiring photos and helpful graphics. Not something you read in one sitting, but digest chapter by chapter, get back into when you need to or have a free moment. And I can attest that putting this book under your pillow makes you a much much better runner.
Also offers an additional Training Log (https://amzn.to/2KZkqGv) which I can only recommend if you really want to take on Kilian.
Running your First Ultra by Krissy Moehl
If you do want a very detailed, focused training plan that helps you conquer your first Ultra, there is no better book out there than superstar runner Krissy Moehl’s ‘Running your first Ultra’ (https://amzn.to/2UfpPh3). Broken up in chapters by what distance you are attempting, the book gives you a detailed breakdown of what activity you should be focusing on each week leading up to race day. Additional tips and tricks include getting ready for the race, what to pack, nutrition info and all the other good stuff round out this comprehensive book. Must have for any newbie attempting their first Ultra.
Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park by Lauren Danner
https://wsupress.wsu.edu/product/crown-jewel-wilderness/#spine-sitenav
Rugged, ridiculously gorgeous, and remote, North Cascades National Park is one of America’s most wild places. While few explore the mountainous wonderland, fewer still know how this park came to be. That is, until Lauren Danner spent years researching the park. Her hard work paid off in this incredibly addicting book, Crown Jewel Wilderness. Documenting the battle to preserve this spectacular landscape as a National Park, Crown Jewel Wilderness is THE book to read to fully gain appreciation for the park, which turned 50 in 2018. Lauren Danner, a PhD, writes beautifully, sharing an incredible wealth of information and captures the spirit of the North Cascades. She is yet another person you should follow online, after you buy the book!
Summit Book 2019 by Mathias Eichler and Douglas Scott
http://store.outdoor-society.com/item/summit-book-2
Finally, our list ends with a not so humble brag about our latest book, Summit Book 2019. Covering both Mount Rainier and Olympic National Forest’s Mount Ellinor, this book is a source of pride and excitement. Celebrating two of our region’s most beloved mountains, Summit Book 2019 is fun, educational and full of romanticized prose when describing the two areas. If you love Rainier, Ellinor or exploring the Pacific Northwest, you’ll love this book.
This is the intro, how could you not want to read more?
“The mountains of our backyards are constant reminders that adventure is waiting for us just around the corner. Looming large in the distance, local mountains provide year round destinations for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, beckoning us on sunny days like the Sirens of Odysseus’ day. For The Outdoor Society, we often say we can’t live without the mountains, as they have helped shape and define who we are. Mountains have become our therapy when things look darkest, the excursions we have on summits around the region bring us light and rekindle our passions. The snowy summits and craggy cliffs bewilder us, motivate us and help give us meaning, and we know we are not alone in this.”
