Emma Walker - Dead Reckoning: Learning from Accidents in the Outdoors

Emma Walker was born and raised in Golden, Colorado, and has spent her adult years traveling and living around the American West and Alaska. She has worked as a camp counselor, raft guide, and avalanche educator and holds a masters degree in outdoor and environmental education. Emma works as a freelance writer from her home in Boise, Idaho.

THIS BOOK WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT A LOT OF mistakes.

It also would not have been possible without the input of a great many people, each of whom helped shape the stories Ive just told you.

Outdoor recreators have a long history of sharing and analyzing accidents in order to learn from and avoid others mistakes. And while Im honored to be a part of that tradition, the unfortunate reality is that many of the folks Ive described in this book did not survive to ski or hike or climb or paddle another day. This weighs on me heavily. Ive tried to treat their stories with compassion, and I am deeply sorry that theyre not here to tell their own stories. I hope their legacy is one of increased knowledge and understanding of the wild places we choose to recreate, so that others may stay safe and found.

Thanks also to those folks who were able to share their near-miss stories with me, and whose expert testimony Ive included in these chapters. Its not an easy thing to admit when youve mis-stepped, but it can go a long way for the public good.

I am deeply grateful to the editorial team at Falcon who helped get this book into ship-shape, including Dave Legere, Ellen Urban, Rhonda Baker, and Sarah Zink. Many thanks also to my friends Hannah Brewster, Daniel Cairns, Blase Reardon, and Angela Rumsey, each of whom read chapters of this book and graciously reassured me that I was, in fact, working on a story worth telling. I also owe a great many thanks to Lynne Wolfe for her guidance and friendship.

I will forever be grateful for the mentors I encountered during graduate school. Eeva Latosuo, Aleph Johnston-Bloom, Wendy Wagner, and Joe Stock have shaped the way I see the world and make decisions as I move through it. Alex Wilder and Hannah Brewster have been my dear friends, stalwart supporters, and, more often than I think they realize, role models, and I count myself lucky to have met them the moment I moved to Alaska.

None of the journeys described in this book was taken alone, and my companions in each chapter are mentioned by name. These stories wouldnt be what they are without those friends, and Im grateful that each of you was gracious enough to let me tell part of our shared histories in these pages.

Being a very anxious and occasionally depressed person has given me a lot of material to write this book, but it has also sometimes made my life difficult. Allow me to take one more step toward becoming the consummate millennial: Id like to thank my therapist. Lindsey spends much of our time together encouraging me to show myself the same compassion I feel for others, and without her patient guidance, I would spend much more of my time worrying about who was mad at me and not nearly enough time working (and not working!) on things that matter.

My parents have been endlessly supportive of all my endeavors, even when my next steps appear to be nonsensical or wildly irresponsible. They believe I am capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to, and while that has probably made me very stubborn, Im grateful to know I always have their vote of confidence. Anyone should be so lucky as to have parents who love them as much as mine do.

Speaking of family: Im lucky I didnt have to look far for a role model of courage and grace, even when times are tough. My aunt Kelly Walker is the bravest person I know. Sometimes people say I remind them of her, and this is a compliment of the highest order.

And, of course, to my wonderful husband Bix Firer, who is my champion, best friend, and fiercest cribbage opponent. I often cannot believe my good fortune in marrying someone to whom I am so perfectly suited, and who only grows more handsome and interesting with age. You believed I could write this book long before I did. There is no one else Id rather own a boat (or, hell, share a groover) with.

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. Falling Rock, Washington, Mount Rainier. Accidents in North American Mountaineering. 1986. https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13198605602.

. Fall into CrevasseSnow Bridge Collapse, Washington, Mount Rainier. Accidents in North American Mountaineering. 1990. https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199006302.

. Cerebral Edema, Washington, Mount Rainier. Accidents in North American Mountaineering. 1996. https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199606503.

. StrandedLost, Inadequate Clothing and Equipment, Washington, Mount Rainier, Disappointment Cleaver. Accidents in North American Mountaineering. 1998. https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199806801.

. Avalanche, Washington, Mount Rainier. Accidents in North American Mountaineering. 1999. https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199907002.

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