The Spirit of the Mountains: Alpine Adventures and Reflections

Description

A beautifully illustrated combination of personal stories of alpine adventures over five decades and reflections on the spirituality of the mountain world. From student days till retirement, Ron Hay has found adventure and refreshment of spirit amid the peaks and valleys of the Southern Alps. "A thoughtful, well-observed contemplation of fifty years of climbs. Written with flair, appreciation for natural grandeur, the joy of shared times and nourishment of spirit imbibed during numinous days in the mountains." -ROSS CULLEN, PROMINENT MOUNTAINEER, AUTHOR AND PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

Growing up in Gore within sight of the Hokonuis, Ron Hay developed an early love of the hills and the wide open spaces. He became enthusiastically involved in tramping and climbing while doing postgraduate study in English literature at Otago University. Some years of secondary teaching followed, allowing generous amounts of holiday time for trips into the valleys and mountains of the Southern Alps. Ron then did a theology degree and entered the Anglican ministry. He was vicar of Temuka and then Sumner-Redcliffs in Christchurch before taking early retirement in order to devote time to writing. His first book, Finding the Forgotten God, won the Ashton Wyllie Book Award in 2015. Ron is a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club and has contributed articles to the NZ Alpine Journal and to Wilderness magazine. He is married to Liz and they have three children and seven grandchildren. They now live in Castle Hill Village surrounded by the peaks of the Torlesse and Craigieburn Ranges.

"From difficult climbs like Mt Tasman to family trips, the author explores the nature of our connection to wild places, including the strong spiritual relationship many people have with the mountains. He also puts this relationship into an international context, with reflections and quotes throughout, in a mature and fascinating narrative. I loved this book, and many others will too. Highly recommended." -GEOFF SPEARPOINT, ALPINE AUTHOR AND LEGEND, RENOWNED FOR HIS MULTI-DAY EXPEDITIONS INTO THE REMOTEST PARTS OF THE SOUTHERN ALPS.