Life Lived Wild
Adventures at the Edge of the Map
In Life Lived Wild, outdoorsman, writer, filmmaker, and conservationist Rick Ridgeway recounts his thrilling adventures in the world’s most remote regions.
Ridgeway’s daring life is filled with newsworthy firsts. He was the first American to ascend K2; to traverse Borneo from coast to coast; and to hike 300 miles across an area of Tibet, including a section that no outsider had ever seen. He executed other expeditions just for sport, too—paddling against gale force winds in Patagonia, and trekking Bhutan in search of uncharted mountains to climb.
These experiences are covered with clear-eyed assessments of their risks and extreme mental and physical demands. Each expedition assumed self-sufficiency and required creative problem solving. Ridgeway writes of tumbling in an avalanche, suffering through a bout with typhoid, and surviving after capsizing into icy waters. He is also compassionate in recounting the stories of those who were not so lucky, and who lost their lives while adventuring.
Amid accounts of scaling Antarctic rock walls and having close encounters with big game in Africa is quiet reverence for natural beauty. Ridgeway emphasizes the importance of preserving remote places and the species that inhabit them. He tracked some such species across plains, frozen tundras, and dense jungles; rare glimpses of Chiru, pronghorn, and Beluga whales in the wild come in.
Many of Ridgeway’s feats were undertaken in the company of longtime friends who also relished their dangerous challenges. Some, but not all, are household names: conservationist Doug Tompkins, the cofounder of The North Face and Esprit; Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard; and news anchorman Tom Brokaw are among the cast. Alongside them, Ridgeway found satisfaction in undertaking adventure sports and working to save the wilderness they all love.
Complemented by stunning photographs, Life Lived Wild is a high-octane adventurer’s memoir that evinces deep respect for people and ecosystems.
Reviewed by
Wendy Hinman
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
