The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby
We’re excited to introduce you to a new book that explores the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades in lyrical words, informative maps and awesome photographs: The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby, by Braided River, a conservation imprint of Mountaineers Books. We are celebrating with several book launch presentations in and around Cascadia: Seattle, the Methow Valley, Everett, Leavenworth, Bellingham and at the Learning Center, with more events to come over the fall and winter!
In its colorful pages, Pulitzer Prize–winning author William Dietrich takes an imaginary hike through the region, explaining the rich natural and cultural history of the region while also examining future challenges facing this remote yet accessible ecosystem; Christian Martin profiles local folks who live, paint, write, study, recreate and educate in the North Cascades, including Fred Beckey, Saul Weisberg, Libby Mills, Bill Gaines, Molly Hashimoto and Ana Maria Spagna; prolific guidebook author Craig Romano offers routes to getting out and exploring the region, detailing day hikes, bicycle rides, paddling expeditions, ski outings, and car-camping options on both sides of the border. Other elements of this one-of-a-kind book include excerpts from Gary Snyder’s 1957 fire lookout journal, an inspirational foreword by Richard Louv, essays on native peoples, early explorers and pioneers of the North Cascades, a detailed conservation timeline and bibliography, lots of maps and — last but certainly not least — inspiring color photographs by the likes of Steph Abegg, Paul Bannick, Benj Drummond, John Scurlock, Andy Porter, John D’Onofrio, Brett Baunton, Paul Bannick, Ethan Welty and Art Wolfe and many other leading nature photographers.
October 10: The Mountaineers Program Center, Magnuson Park, Seattle
October 11-12: North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, Diablo Lake
October 15: Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Auditorium, Everett Community College, Everett
November 4: Twisp River Pub, Methow Valley
November 5: Skagit Station, Mt. Vernon
November 6: Syre Center, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham
November 7: Wenatchee River Institute, Leavenworth
Ticket prices and times vary; please visit ncascades.org/wildnearby or call (360) 854-2599 for details.
Dietrich’s NORTH CASCADES book is not only up to date; it’s also the very best book I’ve yet read on our backyard mountains. Anyone who thinks the only way to save Goat Peak from an open pit mine, is by putting it in an expanded National Park, needs to read this reality check. Likewise those that think Rainy Pass is safe in the National Forest, also need to read it. My only criticism is that heli-skiing isn’t explored. Those seeking this influential little detail will need my SKI TRAILS and WILDLIFE book.
-Eric Burr, Mazama