About the Book:
Arguably the greatest extreme skier to ever live, Doug Coombs pioneered hundreds of first descents down the biggest, steepest, most dangerous mountains in the world—from the Grand Teton “Otter Body” in Jackson Hole, to Mount Vinson, the highest point in Antarctica, to far-flung drops such as Wyatt Peak in Kyrgyzstan. He graced magazine covers, wowed moviegoers, became the face of top ski companies, and ascended as the king of big mountain extreme skiing. His place at the top was confirmed in 1991 when he won the very first World Extreme Ski Competition in Valdez, Alaska.
Now, his story is told for the first time in Robert Cocuzzo’s Tracking the Wild Coomba. From the slopes of his childhood in New England; to the steep chutes of his early career in Montana and Wyoming; to the deep, avalanche-prone powder of his guiding years in Alaska; and, ultimately, to the terrifying terrain of the French Alps, Coombs’s greatness was in how he skied. What most people didn’t know was that Coombs skied so perfectly in part because he had no other choice—at the age of 16 he crashed off a jump in New Hampshire and broke his neck. Doctors said it was a miracle he wasn’t paralyzed, and that another bad fall could kill him. Many believe it was this second chance that inspired the extraordinary life he led until his tragic death in 2006, the result of an attempted rescue of a fellow skier.
About Molly Armanino:
I am a 29 year old professional big mountain skier from South Lake Tahoe. This year, I placed 2nd on the Freeride World Tour. I am also a climate advocate, the CEO of Tahoe Climate Change Action Network and work full-time as a land use planner for Exline and Company, Inc.. In the off season, I love to climb and mountain bike with my dog, Chossy.
Why Molly Chose This Book:
This book tells the true story of Doug Coombs, arguably the greatest big mountain skier to ever slide down snow. Author Robert Cocuzzo experiences Coombs's story himself by traveling to mountains around the world, skiing some of the runs he skied, meeting his friends and family, and living in the towns and villages where he made his home. The result is a gripping adventure story.
