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From Publishers Weekly
Angus didn't know the Yenisey River existed until he came across its name in a book while researching another trip. The Yenisey, he learned, is the world's fifth-longest river, flowing 5,500 kilometers (3,300 miles) from western Mongolia to the Arctic Circle, and had never been run from source to sea. That kind of challenge proved irresistible to the Canadian adventurer. In short order, Angus (Amazon Extreme) cobbled together three companions and (barely) enough sponsorship dollars to keep them afloat, and in spring 2001 set off for Mongolia. The quartet paddled through territory covered by few travelers and even fewer writers. They dealt with financial difficulties, freezing temperatures, a kayak-swallowing maelstrom and more. The book is nearly a blow-by-blow account of the harrowing five-month journey, with trivial events reproduced as faithfully as extraordinary ones. Some sections read as though they were plucked unedited from Angus's journal (e.g., after mentioning fresh milk in one entry, he concludes, "The remaining liter of milk turned into yogurt overnight. I guess with unpasteurized milk, you don't need to stimulate the process. Still, it tasted great"). The characters Angus meets along the way-a kindly Mongolian army officer; a Russian mafia boss; and the indigenous people of the Arctic-are tantalizing, but Angus doesn't linger on them or on the three young men he's traveling with. Some readers may wish Angus had something more to say, in the end, than "we did it." Still, his book should please readers looking for a straightforward, uncomplicated adventure tale. Photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
From Booklist
Asia's Yenisey River, the world's fifth longest (at 3,250 miles), had not been navigated until the author and his two companions made the five-month journey in a whitewater raft and two kayaks. Angus, a "full-time adventurer," describes the trip that began at the 13,000-foot summit of Otgon Tenger in Mongolia, which entailed treacherous rapids; extreme heat, cold, and snow; intense fog; and plagues of mosquitoes and blackflies. One of the most interesting sections details his being separated from his fellow travelers and of a run-in with Russian police. His journey took him through Siberia and into the Arctic Ocean, and Angus describes the people the trio encountered along the way, including shepherds in the Gobi Desert and the Nenets of the Arctic, who lived in reindeer-skin tepees. It's a trip that readers will relish--from the comfort of their homes. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suberb Adventure Literature,
By Frank Richardson (Kamloops, BC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lost in Mongolia: Rafting the World's Last Unchallenged River (Paperback)
I never thought I'd come across another book as good as Don Starkell's "Paddle to the Amazon". Well this is it! This is a story about true adventure, exploration, interaction with extremely remote cultures and a beautiful portral of a seldom-visited region. The journey starts in North-Eastern Mongolia and it takes five months for these intrepid explorers to travel right through Siberia to the Arctic Ocean. One of the most gripping parts of the book is when Angus is separated from the group for 12 days with nothing but a pair of pants. Through this period he is forced to live off the land until he meets up with his companions 500 km downstream. With nights dropping below zero and without a shirt, shoes, tent or sleeping bag, things start to get quite interesting for Angus. Definitely recommended if you like reading about adventure.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent!!,
By Jon (Winnipeg) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lost in Mongolia: Rafting the World's Last Unchallenged River (Paperback)
I received this book on Christmas day and, much to the dismay of the rellies, I finished it on the same day. As the miserable weather outside lashed at the windows and my Aunt Jennifer babbled about napkin handling etiquette, I was far removed to another world; a land of gushing rivers, Russian mafia, indigenous people, and non-stop action. "Lost in Mongolia" is a true modern-day adventure and Angus vividly details the trials and tribulations that he and his team encounter as they attempt to become the first to fully navigate the length of the world's fifth longest river. It is obvious that the quest to be "first" comes secondary to the team's desire to simply get out and explore the most remote regions of our planet from a unique perspective. Angus' strongest writing comes through as he describes the varied characters that they enounter the whole way down the river. For me, the most haunting moment came near the end where, at 71 degrees lattitude in the perpetual grey twilight of the tundra, they come across a scattering of human bones, remnants of Stalin's period of terror. And amongst the bones a small rotted leather shoe is found, obviously from a little girl. It is a mystery that leaves the reader feeling uncomfortable, juxtaposed near the team's triumphant ending at the Arctic Ocean. This adventure is definitely worth reading about. It is an insightful and difficult journey through one of the few-remaining regions on the planet untouched by tourism. And lastly, although it's not clear by the cover, these extraordinarily tough guys are Canadian. Good on ya Canucks!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and super enjoyable,
By
This review is from: Lost in Mongolia: Rafting the World's Last Unchallenged River (Paperback)
Anyone who is an avid adventure reader will love this book. It is very easy to read and I couldn't put it down. Well worth it's weight in gold.
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