Crisis on Mount Hood: Stories from a Hundred Years of Mountain Rescue

by Christopher Van Tilburg

In Crisis on Mount Hood, author and emergency room doctor Christopher Van Tilburg looks at the history of America's oldest all-volunteer mountain rescue team, the Hood River Crag Rats, and his own three-decade commitment to search and rescue. Centered on Oregon's iconic 11,249-foot-high Mount Hood, considered by many to be the world's most-climbed glaciated peak, this dramatic narrative leads listeners through a century of life-and-death challenges.

Covering the past, present, and future of Mount Hood, Van Tilburg highlights the titans of mountain rescue, the ways that outdoor recreation has changed over time, the challenging effects of climate change, and, most of all, the unwavering passion of search and rescue volunteers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Nature, Memoir, Outdoors

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley Zullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisis on Mount Hood is a mix of memoir and the 100 year history of the Crag Rats, the rescue team for the Mount Hood area. Van Tilburg is at his best when he is writing memoir, especially when he is writing about his fellow Crag Rats on rescues or calling his daughters to tell them about a recent rescue. It is obvious in this book how much Van Tilburg loves the outdoors and his dedication to these rescue missions. His connection between climate change and it’s impact on the frequency of rescues is important, and I don’t think he should shy away from these realities in his writing. He does speak very highly of the Crag Rats and while they sound superhuman I did appreciate that he touched on their limitations. I would have loved to hear the author narrate this book, but the energy of the rescues made this a fast listen. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for offering me an early opportunity to listen to this ARC!

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓹𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓥𝓪𝓷 𝓣𝓲𝓵𝓫𝓾𝓻𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓬!

This was fascinating! I live near(ish) to Mount Hood so I’ve seen it before plenty of times. This was fun to listen to, and I’ve always had an interest in SAR and similar things so I really enjoyed this!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone from California who adores the entire West Coast—especially Oregon and Washington—it was especially engaging to read about a place I’ve actually visited. Crisis on Mount Hood is part gripping adventure, part history lesson, and part heartfelt tribute to the brave souls who risk their lives for others.

The author does a great job alternating between historical background on the legendary Crag Rats mountain rescue team and present-day rescue missions. I was amazed to learn how long this volunteer group has been operating and how dedicated they continue to be. He shines a light on the risks of outdoor recreation and the importance of preparation—without shaming those who find themselves in trouble.

It’s hard not to feel frustrated by how many people venture into the wilderness without the proper equipment or knowledge, but thankfully, we have smart, strong, and selfless rescuers like the Crag Rats who show up anyway. I was genuinely moved by their courage and commitment.

I also really appreciated how the author addresses climate change. He presents it with clarity and urgency but avoids condescension or alarmist tones—it feels like a natural part of the story, not a lecture.

Reading this made me admire the author’s outlook on life and left me wishing I lived a more exciting, fulfilling, outdoorsy existence. What an incredible world he reveals—one that’s both beautiful and dangerous, but filled with people who rise to meet the challenge.

My only criticisms: the author references his previous books quite a bit. While it felt a little gimmicky at times, I have to admit it also piqued my interest—so I guess it worked. I also felt the audiobook narrator could’ve been more expressive; a story this dynamic deserves a performance to match.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Yaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in this audiobook because I have lived in close vicinity of Mount Hood. I have known friends who are interested in climbing Mount Hood. I myself have hiked in the area many times and love this iconic mountain.
The author is a medical doctor who works in nearby Hood River, Oregon. He is an outdoor enthusiast and has been involved with a volunteer mountain rescue team, the Hood River Crag Rats for thirty years. In his third non-fiction book, he discusses the history of the rescue team, some cases he was involved in, changing nature of the mountain and rescue efforts. It is all fascinating. He also touches environmental and overcrowding issues, which is very important.

To me personally, I felt there are some sections that discusses his accomplishments at length which came across boastful. I understood he is a very skilled mountaineer and a medical doctor, which is important to be included. I felt there was too much of it throughout the book.
Another criticism is for the audio narration which sounded monotonous and robotic for me. It was so flat that I suspected it being done by AI.

The book itself was very interesting and well researched. I sincerely hope the continuation and future success of Crag Rats!!

A copy of this audiobook was provided coutesy of NetGalley and Tantor Audio. Opinions stated herein are my own. Thank you!

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult one to review, mostly based on the fact that I was provided the audiobook version and think a physical reading experience may or may not have a different result for me.

Crisis on Mount Hood offers first hand accounts as well as historical tales of the Hood River Crag Rats, a team of medical professionals and experienced climbers who perform risky mountain rescues on Mount Hood.

I went into this topic blind - and that made this book interesting and engaging. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of the personal relationships of the team and getting to know them through their banter and collaboration.

A lot of the storytelling however fell and little flat and began to get a bit too technical for someone with no climbing knowledge - a bit of Googling to fully understand terminology and equipment can be required.

The delivery of the narrator was probably the biggest issue for me. Feeling that the storytelling was a bit dry along with a narrator that, to me very much uses a ‘news reporter voice’ with little natural inflection made this difficult to get through.

Overall I’m glad to have learned about this topic and it has sparked interest to learn more about it (however it confirms I will not be climbing any mountains personally 😂)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance audiobook!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! I listened to an ARC via NetGalley and loved the audiobook narration by Chris Sorensen. I was drawn to this book because I’m an emergency physician in Portland, so the setting felt right on home turf. Dr. Van Tilburg leads an adventurous, interesting and fulfilling life in Hood River filled with doctoring and various adrenaline junkie pursuits like kite surfing. In this memoir he focuses on his involvement as a volunteer mountain rescuer with the Crag Rats, saving lives and retrieving bodies on Mount Hood. I found this fascinating and very articulately written. He also is coming to terms with his age (60) and reflecting on the history of Mount Hood and various rescue efforts over the decades. He also touches on the impacts of climate change, technological advancements and the peril of the ill-prepared climber. My biggest criticism is the editing of the book- at times many anecdotes were repetitive. I also had conflicting feeling about references to his previous books (which I have not read) in that I felt like I was missing out on past stories. Still, this is worth a read for anyone interested in Mount Hood, mountain rescue, emergency medicine or any other adventure!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first drawn to this book because I live in Oregon, about 45 minutes from Mt. Hood. I’ve heard about the Hood River Crag Rats many times in the past as they are often mentioned on the news after participating in rescues. Prior to listening to this book, I was not familiar with who Dr. Van Tilburg was. Now after listening to this book, I have discovered that we know many of the same people from working in Emergency medicine in the area.

This is a really interesting book- part memoir, part historical nonfiction. I am so thankful that there are people who are willing to volunteer to help rescue people. In several of the stories Van Tilburg discusses the errors that people made that lead to them needing rescue. It’s really thought provoking. He also talks about how increased numbers of people climbing Mt. Hood has affected it. He also touches on climate change as well.

I did find it interesting that the author wrote a book about Mt. Hood and the Hood River Crag Rats and decided to start the book with an experience he had during a trip to Italy. It felt out of place in my opinion.

If you’re interested in Mt. Hood, mountain climbing, and learning more about Christopher Ban Tilburg’s life, then I recommend giving this book a listen.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crisis on Mount Hood is a compelling, deeply human exploration of risk, responsibility, and resilience at the edge of wilderness. Christopher Van Tilburg brings a rare dual authority to the narrative as both an emergency room physician and a longtime member of the Hood River Crag Rats allowing him to chronicle mountain rescue not as spectacle, but as service.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its balance between historical scope and personal commitment. By tracing a century of rescues on Mount Hood, Van Tilburg honors the volunteers who repeatedly place themselves in danger for strangers, while also documenting how outdoor recreation, technology, and environmental conditions have transformed the nature of rescue work. These shifts are presented with clarity and urgency, particularly as climate change introduces new and unpredictable hazards.

Van Tilburg’s prose is steady and restrained, mirroring the discipline required in rescue situations. Moments of loss, uncertainty, and moral complexity are handled with respect rather than dramatization, reinforcing the book’s credibility. Ultimately, Crisis on Mount Hood is not only an adventure narrative, but a testament to collective responsibility, volunteerism, and the quiet heroism that often goes unseen.

[Malin Friess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by my cousin as we were just past Mount Hood Meadows on a one-day, 42-mile trail running circumnavigation of the mountain. He knew the names of all the glaciers—like Zig Zag—and was pointing out how they’re shrinking every year due to climate change.

This is a great book written by Van Tilbut, an ER doctor who lives in Hood River. He’s a full-on, high-energy guy who loves being called out at any time for high mountain rescues. He’s part of the Crag Rats, a legendary club that’s been saving lives on Mount Hood for decades.

The book does a great job covering the history of Government Camp, skiing, and the improvements in gear and clothing over the years. It also highlights the real dangers of climbing the mountain—falls into crevasses, volcanic sulfuric fumaroles, icy conditions, and slipping down the slopes. Climbing Mount Hood is definitely on my bucket list, but after reading this, I know it’s not something to take lightly. A really interesting read about the mountain, its history, and its future. Maybe when I retire from dentistry, I’ll try to become a Crag Rat myself!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of stories of adventure and rescues at Mt. Hood and other locations over the 100 year history The Crag Rats, a rescue team, have been in existence. They are an amazing group of people who have risked their lives time and time again to help rescue or recover others. They love the mountain and being outside, skiing, hiking... and it's fun to hear about their adventures, skills, camaraderie and rescue missions.
I thought that I would get tired of all of the stories, but it's interesting to hear how each one varied from the last and what they had in common. If you climb, ski, snowboard or hike in such areas, this book would be beneficial to read. It provides useful information regarding equipment, time of year and locations to hike & ski, along with safety protocol & procedures that could potentially save your life or others.
The audiobook really brought the stories within this book to life.

[Aubrey A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for those who enjoy the inner workings of search and rescue, alpine adventure, and/or our beloved Mt Hood. In addition to being a thorough retelling of the Crag Rats history from inception to current day, it’s absolutely packed with engaging rescues that keep the pages turning. Moreover, the author does a masterful job of weaving the effects of climate change into compelling stories of history and rescue on the mountain.

My only criticism is that the author has a slight air of elitism in his tone. I greatly respect his incredible skills as both a rescuer and mountaineer, and agree with his concerns about the overuse of public lands by ill-informed and unprepared visitors. However, the author often seems to be primarily concerned with ensuring he can continue to use the mountain exactly as he wants, like the good ol’ days, vs. caring for and protecting it as wilderness meant for all to enjoy. That tone irked me at times.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crisis on Mount Hood is a gripping and deeply respectful chronicle of courage, service, and human resilience. Christopher Van Tilburg blends personal experience with meticulous historical research to bring the story of the Hood River Crag Rats vividly to life.
What makes this book exceptional is its balance between high stakes rescue narratives and thoughtful reflection. The author does not merely recount dramatic moments but explores the evolution of mountain rescue, the changing nature of outdoor recreation, and the growing impact of climate change on wilderness safety.
Van Tilburg’s perspective as both an emergency room physician and long time rescue volunteer adds authenticity and emotional weight. This book is not only an adventure narrative but also a tribute to the quiet dedication of volunteers who repeatedly place themselves in danger for the sake of others. A compelling read for lovers of nonfiction, outdoor literature, and memoir.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, the best nonfiction books explain a subject to you and help you understand it even when you go into the subject blind, not knowing a thing about it. While this book does explain mountain rescue to me, an outsider, it didn’t stimulate my interest and make me want to learn more. Sure, there were some harrowing rescues and thrilling situations but I didn’t feel a part of anything; it didn’t make me yearn to learn more about what they do or connect in any way to any of them. It was overly technical in places and mentioned areas that I couldn’t picture. The narration was also somewhat monotonous so that didn’t help either. I appreciate and applaud the work that they do but this wasn’t for me.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #TantorAudio for an honest review.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never never never want to climb a mountain because I find heights frightening, and the idea of being cold and injured and waiting for help sounds terrible. At the same time, I am fascinated by the kind of people who look at mountains and think, yes, I definitely need to climb that. These stories of people who needed help on Mount Hood were fascinating to me, and I loved the perspective of the author. He talks about what it's like to be in a group of people who do mountain rescues, what the people are like, and how close they become.
Van Tilburg has been doing this kind of work for decades, so I'm sure he has many more stories, and it must have been hard to choose. I'm glad he does this so I can experience it vicariously while comfortable at home.

[Rachel Gaffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a personal love letter to the Mt. Hood Crag Rats, a community search and rescue team based in Hood River, Crisis on Mt. Hood earns closer to 3.5 stars. As a book, however, this falls short. A tedious, repetitive tome, the author sounds a plaintive call to action to protect Mt. Hood from environmental change on a macro and micro scale, without even a whisper of an attempt to offer actual solutions. Instead, he just repeats anecdotes without any clear direction, noting over and over again that conditions on the mountain are getting worse. These rescue stories are interesting, but only mildly so (Jon Krakauer, this is not). That said, I did learn a thing or two about Mt. Hood and mountaineering. Plus, it’s heartwarming to know the Crag Rats are a text away, in case of emergency. 2 stars.

[Jquick99 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like the book and the author more than I did. It seemed like a long humble brag interspersed with Crag Rat history. And after awhile, the stories seem the same. I live a couple hours south of the author, and I know our SAR goes out on too many calls to help people who are ill prepared. The author says it doesn’t irk him, but it does me. Wearing running shoes in the winter to climb Mt Hood? You deserve to be stranded. Going out to hike in 3’ of new snow in a wilderness without snow shoes? You deserve to be wet and cold.

And, I’m tired of being preached to re Global Warming by someone who drives and flies wayyyyyy more than I do.

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Dr. Van Tilburg's other books and was happy to see he wrote another one. I live about an hour from Mt. Hood and have enjoyed the recreation it provides and am aware of its dangers. It was interesting to read more about the Crag Rats, to read their history and about their ongoing work. I sometimes see news items describing the dangerous incidents happening in the Mt. Hood area. I appreciate the Crag Rats' work and this book does a good job of sharing their contributions to the safety of individuals.

[Lacepaperlife · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some truly gripping moments that made me feel the danger and urgency of mountain rescues. I appreciated Van Tilburg’s firsthand experience, but at times the writing felt a little dry and technical. I found myself wishing for a deeper emotional connection to the some of the people behind the rescues.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars for a detailed, eye-opening look at the real risks behind outdoor adventures.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a couple of Van Tilburg's other books, but this one is my fave so far. Each chapter is a new engrossing story of an accident, a fall or a lost hiker in need of rescue. Since I live in the area of the author, it was fun to learn more deeply about some of his fellow Crag Rats who are familiar names to me. Overall, this book will remind readers of the importance of entering the wilderness as prepared, smart hikers.

[Kate Lehenbauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
I picked up this book because my mom grew up in Hood River and I love nonfiction books. I found this book very interesting. My favorite part of the book was when the author described the rescue missions which was maybe 50% of the book. The rest of the book was less enjoyable to me. He focused more on the geography of Mount Hood which I have no context for and on global warming which is important, but not what I was expecting with this title. Some language, no spice.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rescue stories with heart and context of the wonderful organization completing them. Educational reminders about mountain safety and conservation considerations. A compelling book for any outdoor enthusiast.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply enjoyed this memoir that covered the history of Crag Rats, an alpine rescue team based around Mount Hood. I’m fascinated my mountaineering, so I really enjoyed these insights into search and rescue.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book was more about the history of this group of search and rescuers than it was about specific rescues. I read the blurb and was interested in rescue stories. Given that it was more history, it didn't hold my interest.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this at Government Camp as I enjoy reading rescue stories in the locations I’m holidaying in.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jami Seymore · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this book available, I knew I had to read it! The author is an emergency room doctor and works on the Hood River Crag Rats, an all volunteer mountain rescue team. Van Tilburg shares a number of rescue stories from over the years at Oregon’s iconic mountain, including ones he personally worked on and even stories from years before, while weighing the effects of climate change on their work (and on outdoor recreation in general). Full of tragedy and hope, I highly recommend for my fellow Oregonians and outdoor enthusiasts.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.