On Feb. 15, 2015, Kate Matrosova, an avid mountaineer, set off before sunrise for a traverse of the Northern Presidential Range in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Late the following day, rescuers carried her frozen body out of the mountains amid some of the worst weather ever recorded on these deceptively rugged slopes.
At thirty-two, Matrosova was ultra-fit and healthy and had already summited much larger mountains on several continents. Her gear included a rescue beacon and a satellite phone. Yet, despite their best efforts, more than forty expert search and rescue personnel, a New Hampshire Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, and a Civil Air Patrol Cessna airplane could not reach her in time to save her.
What went wrong?
Where You'll Find Me offers possible answers to that question, demonstrating why Matrosova's story--what we know and what we will never know--represents such an intriguing and informative case study in risk analysis and decision-making.
“Ty Gagne’s account of this tragedy is one of the best 360 degree analyses I’ve ever seen. Objective
facts of the case aside—clothing, equipment, etc., the human factors for all involved provide
us with important perspectives. His research on the elements of risk and how we make
decisions should serve readers well when they venture forth in any wilderness setting.”
— John E. (Jed) Williamson, President Emeritus, Sterling College, Editor, Accidents in North
American Mountaineering, ‘74 – ‘14, Current board member: Central Asia Institute,
Former President American Alpine Club,
“In this gripping tale—told with both grim detail and deep sensitivity—Gagne takes us into
risky terrain, where the smallest decision made by one individual can lead to life-changing
events for many. His own compassion invites us to identify with the woman whose final struggle
to survive ultimately leaves us with the sense that she was a friend we never had. Throughout
the book, Gagne reminds us that in order to assess our own risks, we must visit places in
ourselves we may not know as well as we should. The story also emerges as a testament to the
brave men and women of volunteer search and rescue teams, whose willingness to risk themselves
for others must also be tempered by good decision making. Where You’ll Find Me is many
things— adventure story, survival narrative, love story—and it contains an implicit promise
that the spirit of Kate Matrosova will live forever among the footpaths of the Presidentials.”
—Peter Kick, Author of Desperate Steps: Life, Death, and Choices Made in the Mountains of the
Northeast
“Destined to be a classic in the canon of mountaineering literature.”
—Peter Kick, Author of Desperate Steps: Life, Death, and Choices Made in the
Mountains of the Northeast
“You don’t have to be a mountaineer to appreciate the human drama of this tightly researched,
vividly told story. Gagne gives voice to an impressive number of eye witnesses and
knowledgeable experts, all of whom lend perspective and authority to his own keen analysis
of the tragedy. But the big reason this book will enjoy wide appeal is the author’s ability
to draw important lessons from the mistakes that led to an untimely death while managing
to celebrate—with respect and compassion—the life force that was Kate Matrosova.”
—Stefany Shaheen, COO of Good Measures and author of Elle & Coach, Diabetes, the Fight for
My Daughter’s Life, and the Dog Who Changed Everything
“Gagne adeptly integrates a tale of high adventure gone awry with the
intriguing science behind the risks and decisions we as humans face. Within
this finely-crafted account, the various threads comprising this story are
seamlessly interwoven against the rugged backdrop of New Hampshire’s
Presidential Range. Matrosova’s fateful solo journey hauntingly unfolds
alongside an analysis of the dire climatic and geographic elements conspiring
against her. The daring rescue efforts undertaken to save her are so viscerally
penned as to transport readers right to the wind-tortured peaks being
contended with. Where You’ll Find Me serves as an example of just where
decisional missteps can lead us- and a sobering reminder of Mother Nature’s
deadly potential.”
—Edward Swanson, Award-winning author of Mesmer’s Disciple and Madoc’s Legac
