Product Description

In 'Cairngorm John: A Life in Mountain Rescue' (his call sign when in contact with search and rescue helicopters) John Allen recalls the challenges of mountain rescue and the many changes he has both witnessed and been a party to. His book is filled with exciting accounts of real-life rescues, discussions of mountain rescue topics such as hypothermia, first aid, and the use of helicopters and search and rescue dogs. Peopled with interesting characters his accounts are at all times humane and the book is laced with humour. SHORT LISTED: The Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature 2009

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3382 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-15
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
Filled with anecdotes and compassion this book takes the reader deeply into the world of mountain rescue, more deeply into the hills themselves than many more direct appreciations. Cairngorm John: A Life in Mountain Rescue is by turns exciting, funny, informative and wise, an indispensable addition to the literature of the mountains. --Sir Chris Bonington in his Introduction.

'I had to put on several layers just to read this book. It makes Touching the Void seem like a pretty routine day on the hill.' --Iain Macwhirter in the Sunday Herald

Reflects on decades of service saving lives in the mountains . . . measured . . . a hilarious example of how things have changed [from] the tough, self-reliant world John Allen grew up in . . . if you want an in-depth look at the challenges facing mountain rescue, and the immense contribution it makes, then Allen's book is an invaluable source. --Ed Douglas in Climber Magazine

'I had to put on several layers just to read this book. It makes Touching the Void seem like a pretty routine day on the hill.' --Iain Macwhirter in the Sunday Herald

Reflects on decades of service saving lives in the mountains . . . measured . . . a hilarious example of how things have changed [from] the tough, self-reliant world John Allen grew up in . . . if you want an in-depth look at the challenges facing mountain rescue, and the immense contribution it makes, then Allen's book is an invaluable source. --Ed Douglas in Climber Magazine

About the Author
For over thirty years John Allen was an active member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and for most of them acted as Team Leader.

Customer Reviews

Cairngorm John - Food for Thought
Cairngorm John is more than a book about mountain rescue. It is an enjoyable, informative and thought provoking read that has clearly been written by a lover of the wildness of the Scottish mountains - and someone with a great sense of humanity.
Despite being a hillwalker for more than 40 years,I still learned a great deal from reading Cairngorm John and welcome the accounts of so many incidents not only as compelling tales but also as a stimulus to polish up my own mountain skills.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who ventures out in the Scottish hills.

Cairngorm John
A very well written book which fills a real slot in mountain reading. Some very good accounts of rescues in the Cairngorms over a 30 year period.

Cairngorm John
A inspirational book bringing the true meaning of selflessness in a more increasingly selfish world.