Volume 27, Number 2 - Wilderness Medical Society

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REVIEWS High Crimes: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed Michael Kodas New York, NY: Hyperion; 2008 Softcover, 384 pages, US $15.99 ISBN-10: 1401309844, High altitude mountaineering has long been noted to have the potential to bring out the most noble as well as the most sordid characteristics in its participants. Like any human activity that tends to place individuals in extreme circumstances, climbing on the earth’s greater ranges will place unusual demands on a person’s mental and physical capabilities – and not all rise to the challenge in the most gracious fashion. Michael Kodas’ High Crimes: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed details many of the less gracious recent deeds for which the world’s highest peak is unfortunately becoming well-known. The ugly side of human nature seems all too present in this work, and while the “tell-all” nature of the book will not appeal to some readers of mountain literature, I believe most will find it an engrossing read. It’s an attention-grabbing combination of sickening examples of poor mountaineering behavior intermixed with just enough worthy and highly respectable conduct to keep one’s interest on the page and wondering “yikes, what next?” In many respects Mt. Everest has become (and will probably continue to be) the quintessence of the “ultimate” challenges a cross-section of humankind will always seek. However, after reading High Crimes, the reader might just begin to wonder if such a mantle for Everest has somehow helped to create a high altitude Circus Maximus that seems an anathema to the old-school mountaineer. George W. Rodway, PhD Salt Lake City, Utah We would like to know what you’re reading! To contribute a book review to WM magazine, visit wms.org/publications/magazine for book reviewer guidelines. The Accidental Explorer: Wayfinding in Alaska Sherry Simpson Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books; 2008 Hardcover; 240 pages, US $23.95 ISBN-10: 1570615373 ISBN-13: 978-1570615375 How do you find yourself in any wilderness intent on losing you? Read Sherry Simpson’s compilation of essays about her Alaskan adventures and you will start your next trip exploring your mind and soul as much as your surroundings. This refreshing collection of essays chronicles an inexperienced Alaskan adventurer as she sets out to discover her homeland and herself. The ten narrations describe her explorations of destinations such as famed Glacier Bay to an unidentified, secretive coastline trek. Certain to appeal to history aficionados she weaves narrations from historic explorers into her stories. Whether she travels with companions or alone, Simpson’s mind shuttles between self promulgation and adoration at her foibles and accomplishments. But the one engaging current that fuels and unifies you through the course of this book is the author’s charming humor. Simpson hosts a wit that guides her self-doubts into a courageous and enthusiastic path of becoming an adventurer. In these stories you won’t find the usual gear lists and how-to notes. What you will find is encouragement to use a navigation device that needs no batteries or power backup but still comes in a sturdy case. A devise that sits squarely on our shoulders but one we so often forget to use….our minds. This book meanders through the mind and soul of the author as much as the face of Alaska’s landscape and offers a refreshing outlook on outdoor adventures. How well does Simpson describe each setting and bring her reader on site as she struggles through the remote landscapes? Very well, because even when I read this book ensconced on a tropical beach the author’s poetic prose blew the icy wilds of Alaska across my skin. Step away from the “how to” books and into one that melts the physical, spiritual and mental truths of adventure into a true wilderness experience. Debra Stoner MD, FAWM Northumberland, PA 24 WILDERNESS MEDICINE // Spring 2010
SOCIETY MATTERS News & Announcements HUMANITARIAN RELIEF GRANT Humanitarian relief Grant 2010 Dear WMS Member, The humanitarian catastrophe in Haiti this past January has resonated with us all. Many of us responded through donations of time or money, and others through relief efforts on the ground. There have been worse disasters in history, but few that have struck with such cruelty upon a fragile society with no reserves. For several years, the Wilderness Medical Society has embraced disaster response and global medical outreach as cross-over disciplines. They are environments that challenge caretakers to provide best-practice care in austere and unpredictable environments. So with the challenges of Haiti fresh on our minds, we would like to continue the growth of our Society by providing a meaningful contribution to the field of humanitarian relief. A new, annual research grant in this field sponsored by the WMS will provide for a sustainable, long-term focus on these issues, within the highest academic traditions of our Society. As a non-profit, member-supported Society, we now seek to endow such a grant, and we would like your help with the following: • Donation of items to be auctioned at the WMS Annual Meeting in Snowmass, Colorado this July. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will go to directly support the WMS Humanitarian Relief Grant. • Direct monetary tax-deductable donations to help fund the grant. We welcome donations of any size. • Help us with recruitment of corporate sponsors who could provide direct donations and/or matching funds. The Society’s leadership believes this is an important new initiative. Not only are we focusing our expertise in the direction of a growing and inadequately studied area of medicine, but we are also adding value to our membership. We can think of no better mission for a medical society than to stay focused on those in need, and we hope you'll help in this quest. With appreciation, Tony Islas & Jay Lemery Snowmass Conference Co-Chairs The Wilderness Medical Society Partners with Global Rescue The Wilderness Medical Society has partnered with Global Rescue in order to ensure the safety of Society members on expeditions and otherwise traveling to the world’s most remote locations. “The life-saving value of Global Rescue memberships can’t be overstated,” opines WMS CEO Loren Greenway. “There are many reasons to plan ahead for medical advice, evaluation, assistance, and evacuation,” the co-founder of WMS, Paul Auerbach, MD, wrote in an article about Global Rescue. “Furthermore, in this time of security risks up to and including armed conflict, kidnapping, and terrorism, one must be aware of how to get help quickly and reliably, because during or immediately after the event is not the time to begin planning.” Global Rescue is an emergency services company that provides best-in-class medical, aeromedical evacuation, and security services to travelers worldwide, and is the only such provider that performs field rescues. The company regularly airlifts climbers from the Himalayas, hunters from Africa, and skiers from the Alps and the Andes. Global Rescue also works with some of the world’s largest companies to protect their employees from health, safety, and security threats around the globe. Recent examples of Global Rescue’s work include evacuating an injured skier from Bariloche, Argentina, rescuing a safari client from Mozambique, and dispatching a special operations team to Africa to protect and prepare to evacuate Americans from a country experiencing civil unrest. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com. Auction Info… We need to hear from you by JUNE 1st in order to include your item(s) in the auction. The WMS will host a silent auction after the Haiti presentation by Dr. Paul Auerbach at the WMS Annual Meeting in Snowmass, Colorado this July. All proceeds will go to directly support the WMS Humanitarian Relief Grant. Michelle Johnson and Pauli Ingwersen have graciously agreed to coordinate the auction. For your auction item(s), please email a description of your item or items and an estimate value to Pauli Ingwersen at pauli@wms.org. Artwork, unique jewelry, weekend get-aways at a cabin, float or raft trips, fly fishing lessons, wine, books, equipment of all kinds are just a few ideas to get you started. Donations: We'll take—and appreciate— donations of any size! Merchandise: The WMS will have limited edition, specially designed WMS Humanitarian Relief Grant 2010 merchandise to encourage your support. This merchandise will be available during the Snowmass Conference and our website wms.org after the conference. Corporate or Matching Donations: Please contact Dr. Loren Greenway (loren@wms.org) if you know of a company or business that would help support us through direct matching or outright donations. Also… Although the WMS Humanitarian Relief Grant will be open for proposals involving any area of the world, for our inaugural grant, we will only be accepting proposals specifically addressing Haitian relief efforts. The size of our grant disbursement will depend on the success of our fundraising. WILDERNESS MEDICINE // Spring 2010 25
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 20 10 Volume 27, Number 2 Di
Page 3 and 4: EditorIAL STAFF SPRING 2010 INSIDE
Page 5 and 6: Dispatches froM Haiti Paul S. Auerb
Page 7 and 8: Photo by Eric Holden. January 20…
Page 9 and 10: January 24… January 25… It was
Page 11 and 12: 82nd Airborne preparing for a food
Page 13 and 14: sion Congo Michael Hauty MD, FACS P
Page 15 and 16: Garden of "Villages des Mamas" set
Page 17 and 18: Nature, however, is a cruel prankst
Page 19 and 20: Mount Hood SAR Operations On Decemb
Page 21 and 22: What’s in Your Pack? We invite yo
Page 23: AWLS Instructor Cory Kreutzer demon
Page 27 and 28: Members in the News Kenneth W. Kize
Page 29 and 30: CLIFF NOTES Catherine Chamberlin MS
Page 31 and 32: 2010 conference calendar & affiliat

Volume 27, Number 2 - Wilderness Medical Society

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