Below Another Sky:
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REVIEW BY GREGORY HARRIS
More than 20 years ago, adventurer Rick Ridgeway was ascending an obscure Tibetan peak when a sudden avalanche engulfed him and his three companions. Hurtling down the mountain in the grip of tons of snow, Ridgeway had time to face and accept his probable death. But when the thundering slide halted, he was relatively unhurt; it was his friend Jonathan who lay dying. Following the tragedy, Ridgeway swore to look after Jonathan's young daughter, Asia. In fulfilling that promise, as Asia's 20th birthday neared, he took the young woman on an expedition to the peak where her father died and was buried in a makeshift grave. This extraordinary journey is chronicled in Below Another Sky, a remarkable book of adventure, reflection and discovery. Below Another Sky invites the reader along on an extended trip into the Tibetan wilderness, through frozen mountain paths where nomads camp in shaggy tents and endangered animal species still thrive. Throughout the journey, Ridgeway walks a careful line with Asia, now a strong young woman uncertain of the path her life should take. The difficult terrain is not the only potential obstacle. In such a remote area, each encounter with human beings takes on a unique and at times ominous aspect. Faced with wary nomads and unfriendly Chinese militia -- and speaking no Chinese -- Ridgeway and Asia must rely on their interpreters and their personal charm. Jonathan's memories and spirit are more than the catalyst for this journey. Reviewing his friend's journals, Ridgeway gains a new perspective on his lifetime of adventure. He and Asia come to embrace the changes that constantly occur in life, realizing the opportunities for growth and happiness after tragedy. Below Another Sky is inspirational, thrilling reading. Gregory Harris is a writer and editor living in Indianapolis.
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