First published 1978
David travels into remote mountain country where wolves still roam the high valleys. He carries supplies for a summer alone, seeking something the settled world cannot provide. The pack watches him from ridge lines and forest edges. Their presence changes everything about his plans for solitude. David must learn the difference between hearing wolves and understanding what their calls mean. The animals test his resolve while weather and isolation wear down his confidence. Each night brings their voices closer to his camp. He discovers that running from civilization means running toward something far more demanding. The wolves become both threat and teacher in country that strips away everything except what matters most. David faces a choice between the safety of retreat and the unknown cost of staying. The mountains hold their own terms for those who seek to belong.
Genres: fiction, animals, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, man-vs-nature
Setting: Mountain Country, High Valleys
287 pages · Paperback · Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association