Hot New Product of the Week: A book about climbing, hitchhiking, and mental health

 

Hot New Products are written by the company and edited for space and clarity. The column was previously called Elevator Pitch. They do not express the opinions of Outside Business Journal or its editors.

Pitched by Dakota Walz, author of “Everything I Loved More”:

While freight train hopping and hitchhiking from Missouri to Oregon and down to Mexico, there was one item I never left home without: my journal. I recorded my adventures when I should have been calling my girlfriend to let her know I hadn’t fallen while free solo rock climbing high above the desert or been kidnapped by the meth head trucker I was hitching with.

All the stories come straight from the heart of my journal. Together they address an important journey, one of a young man attempting to combat his mental health problems with a potent dose of recklessness–and just how well it almost works.

Every story is 100 percent true. Good and bad.

Here’s a snippet:

As I dream of the future, my eyes drift back to the rock below. I’m certain I can climb it without falling, but the need to find out is still there. The fear of missing this opportunity—of failing—outweighs the fear of death. Without another thought, I climb back down to the water’s edge.

Water crashes below me like dogs barking at an intruder. Sliced fingertips grip sharp volcanic pockets on either side of the corner. I hang high above water that I wouldn’t be able to escape again. With this in mind, I place every finger and toe with laser focus. The distinct bite of saltwater nips at the corners of my eyes. I can’t tell if this is one of the most amazing moments of my life, or if I wish I were anywhere else in the world.

Pre-sales for “Everything I Loved More” in print and audiobook, along with illustrated prints, are available on Kickstarter until Aug. 29.

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