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| Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy | 
 enlarge | Author: Karen James
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $12.49
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Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 62458
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 1595551751
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.5220979561
EAN: 9781595551757
ASIN: 1595551751
Publication Date: November 11, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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Product Description
A journey of adventure, tragedy, love, and loss on the summit of Mt. Hood. In December 2006, millions of people across the world prayed and waited in anguish to learn the fate of 3 climbers trapped on Mt. Hood. The worst storm in the last decade was pounding the mountain with hurricane-force winds that would not permit the army of rescue workers to do their work. No one below could forget the last phone call Kelly James placed to his wife, telling her that he was trapped in a snow cave just below the summit. What happened next would change the lives of everyone involved and deeply touch millions of people who desperately hoped to see a Christmas miracle. For more than a week, the search dominated the news as family members huddled below, praying for the climbers' safe return. But the story did not end when Kelly James's body was airlifted off the mountain and the cameras stopped rolling. For Karen, the year after Kelly's death was spent searching for answers to what really happened on the mountain. In this journey of adventure, tragedy, love and loss, she reveals never-released information about the fateful climb and behind-the-scenes details of how the family coped with the shocking news.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Faith through tough times January 8, 2009
Since I live in Colorado, I often hear of tragic stories around climbing expeditions but I've never heard one that impacted my life as greatly as this one. Back in 2006, Kelly James and two of his close climbing buddies attempted to summit Mount Hood during one of the worst storms of the winter season. Karen James, Kelly's wife, was left waiting to hear back from her husband to contact her about their progress but little did she know that her last phone call from him as he was in a snow cave would be the last time she would hear his voice.
Many of us vaguely remember seeing this story on television but as I learned more of Karen's story of faith, I was struck by how much she leaned on the Lord during this time of waiting. Karen, along with many others, waited for days as the rescue teams attempted to find the three men. As the reports bombarded each of the family members with questions, all of them kept praying and believing that God could give them the Christmas miracle that they were looking for.
Even though that Christmas miracle wasn't given to them, Karen was able to grow in her faith in a way that many of us don't get to experience every day. It's during those moments when we don't think that we can make it any further that we find ourselves in the palm of His hand, which is where Karen stayed for many months following. I've found myself in that same place recently when I found out that I was diagnosed with MS. And the most beautiful thing about being in that place is that God's comfort, peace and love flow freely to those that are will to trust Him enough to let Him have control.
holding fast-the untold story of the tragedy at mt. hood January 6, 2009
I truly enjoyed this read, I felt as though I was right there. The author was courageous to write such a personal event in her life.
 Story of Faith, Community & Prayer December 24, 2008
I've found myself so wrapped up in leadership and ministry books over the last few years that I have pushed aside any time for fiction or documentary. One book recently grabbed my attention. With my interest in mountaineering and my love for adventure I thought I would would take a bit of time to read Holding Fast by Karen James.
This book tells the story of Kelly James, a climber who lost his life on Mount Hood while climbing with some friends. While the author, Kelly's wife, spends some time outlining the life of Kelly and giving the reader insight into who he was as a person you become more and more interested to continue reading. Through research and conversation with rescue workers Karen was able to piece together the final days and hours of her husbands life.
The real takeaway for me in reading this book is the true need for community in our lives. Without people to surround ourselves with we will have a much harder time making it through personal tragedies. In addition, and even more important than the community aspect is prayer. Karen had an incredible network of people around her that were praying for Kelly and his two friends who were stranded on the mountain in the middle of an intense storm.
To read of this tremendous loss and see how Karen has been able to make it through serves as an encouragement to me. I know that the community that I belong to will hold me up should a time come when I face a tragedy. The power of prayer is evidenced throughout this book. Faith is a necessary part of each of our lives. It was Karen's faith that kept her going and it is her faith that will keep her going.
If you have the need for a good book during this winter season I would recommend picking up a copy of Holding Fast.
Enjoyed it December 19, 2008
I've always enjoyed reading stories of people who live their lives to the fullest. Karen James does a great job as she recounts the events of the Mount Hood tragedy of December 2006 where her husband Kelly James lost his life. At first I was a bit weary of the book. Could a wife give a realistic account of what truly happened? Would she be tempted to gloss over the details in order to avoid tarnishing the memory of her husband? After reading the book I believe Karen James gave an authentic account of the story and allowed us to see all sides of her husband.
She begins the book with a brief summary of the Kelly's upbringing and their relationship. I was left with a better understanding of the man and felt as if I personally knew him. Next we are introduced to Kelly's friends and climbing partners, Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke. I enjoyed learning of the depth and commitment of their relationship, a vital attribute needed for climbing partners. As she moved to the play-by-play of the accident and recovery effort, I never felt overwhelmed by details. She inserted bits of personal emotion and how she leaned upon her faith in God to pull her through. I felt it was an authentic portrayal. She didn't skip over the times of doubting and questioning God. She focused not only on her family and the climbers but also she tells of the great men and women who pulled together and gave 110% to find the lost climbers.
The story has a sad outcome yet the book ends well. James tells of evidence found by the rescuers and pieces together, with the help of the authorities, what really happened on the mountain that December. I gave me a sense of closure. I recommend this book. It's a good read that encouraged me to reach out to God and climb the mountains in life and love the people in it to the max.
Where's God in Tragedy? December 17, 2008
Holding Fast
Author: Karen James
Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2008
Number of pages: 225
Karen James tells the story of losing her man to a mountain. Kelly James is a man's man; a follower of Jesus, a lover of life, a godly dad, and hopeless romantic. He's a mountaineer that's straddled the world's most famous summits. The final peak he mounted swallowed him up and refused to give him back to the family that waited for him. Kelly James was the kind of guy we dudes all wish we were like. Living for Christ is loving life. It's not weakness in a man. It's strength.
In the book, James let's the reader experience her family's desperation as a rescue operation is mounted to find her husband and his buddies while they are lost on Mt. Hood in the decade's worst storm. Despite all of their skill, expertise, and meticulous planning, when its man is pit against nature, nature doesn't throw in the towel. Nature does what nature will do.
But the family is not without hope. Or faith. And as the family talks of the faith and prayers from which they draw strength and hope, the nation is mobilized by their plight. Volunteers and resources from all over the country appear daily to pitch in to search for the three guys lost on mountain.
The author quotes Pastor Rick Warren as he's interviewed by Larry King: "Larry, I used to think that life was a series of highs and lows, but I have come to realize there are always good things happening."
James shares with readers that she was afraid of really jumping in with both feet with God, because she felt it would cost her something more than she could give. And then she lost her husband. But she wisely reminds us that "He decides how, when, and what we will have to face in life." God's purposes bring great reward, but often at a great cost. There's nothing warm and fuzzy about being sold out to God. It takes passion and pain, strength and sacrifice. But that's the only way to fully experience an abundant life.
James organizes the book well. She put incredible thought into how to tell the story so that the reader gets the best possible view of both the challenge of her faith and the triumph of her husbands.
This is a great read and I'd recommend it to both men and women who need a boost I their relationship with a spouse, a kid, or God.
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