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Outsider: An Old Man, a Mountain and the Search for a Hidden Past
Into the Wild meets Born to Run meets The Stranger in the Woods in a fascinating true story of a marathon-running hermit and a journalist’s quest to solve the mystery at the core of the enigmatic man’s existence
When journalist Brett Popplewell first heard about an aging former stuntman who lived alone inside a school bus on a mountain, running day and night through blizzards and heat waves, he was intrigued and bewildered. Captivated by the seemingly implausible tale of a wild super-athlete aging more slowly than the rest of us, he was determined to meet the apocryphal white-haired man who was pushing the boundaries of the human mind and body beyond what anyone could dream was possible.
What Popplewell witnessed on a secluded mountain perch led him on a six-year odyssey to uncover the true story of the 81-year-old man.
Outsider takes readers on a remarkable journey from Nazi-occupied Norway to Argentina and British Columbia. The book chronicles how a child born under mysterious circumstances during World War II finds his way onto the big screen in Goldfinger, is heralded as the world’s first extreme skier, and is later driven into the wilderness. Both joyful and tragic, Outsider presents a bold challenge to our notions of aging, belonging and human accomplishment.
When journalist Brett Popplewell first heard about an aging former stuntman who lived alone inside a school bus on a mountain, running day and night through blizzards and heat waves, he was intrigued and bewildered. Captivated by the seemingly implausible tale of a wild super-athlete aging more slowly than the rest of us, he was determined to meet the apocryphal white-haired man who was pushing the boundaries of the human mind and body beyond what anyone could dream was possible.
What Popplewell witnessed on a secluded mountain perch led him on a six-year odyssey to uncover the true story of the 81-year-old man.
Outsider takes readers on a remarkable journey from Nazi-occupied Norway to Argentina and British Columbia. The book chronicles how a child born under mysterious circumstances during World War II finds his way onto the big screen in Goldfinger, is heralded as the world’s first extreme skier, and is later driven into the wilderness. Both joyful and tragic, Outsider presents a bold challenge to our notions of aging, belonging and human accomplishment.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
June 23, 2023
In August 2012, I had the good fortune to cross paths with Dag. At the time, he was a complete stranger to me. Although I knew nothing about him, he instantly caught my attention. I was running leg 2 of the Death Race and was struggling physically and mentally, having just descended Flood Mountain, and starting the climb up Grande Mountain. I felt like I had no business being there. And when I saw Dag, I wondered what business he had being there - he was an anomaly to say the least.
He appeared from behind me and we stayed together for about 30 mins, chatting as we pressed forward. I was lamenting my poor performance, my state of mind, and my aching legs and feet. I wish I had made some notes afterward (a journal?) to remember exactly what Dag said to me during our time together. I don't remember what words he used, but I do remember what a profound impact he had on my state of mind. Our perspectives were polar opposites and he somehow made me see what a gift this day and this activity was. He made me feel more connected to the mountain and somehow put my mind and body at ease. After our discussion, he wished me well, picked up his pace, and slowly disappeared on the trail ahead of me.
I never forgot Dag, and when I heard about this book, I was curious how an entire book could be written about him. It turns out Dag's story was so incredible that it captivated my attention from page one and left me wanting even more by the end. Brett Popplewell might know Dag better than anyone else. He eloquently tells the story of the mysterious man I met on the mountainside all those years ago. Brett's devotion to uncovering details of Dag's past is nothing short of amazing and gives the reader a true appreciation for how he wound up exactly where he is. His story is long and complex, but presented masterfully.
This book is highly recommended for everyone. You don't have to be a runner or a skier to find Dag's tale engrossing. It's a history lesson and a mystery. It's heartbreaking and it's uplifting. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. But most of all, it gives you a chance to meet an incredible human being without the sugar coating. Brett Popplewell reveals Dag with all his many faults and peels back the layers to expose his virtues and his undeniable charm. Once you meet Dag, you will never forget him.
He appeared from behind me and we stayed together for about 30 mins, chatting as we pressed forward. I was lamenting my poor performance, my state of mind, and my aching legs and feet. I wish I had made some notes afterward (a journal?) to remember exactly what Dag said to me during our time together. I don't remember what words he used, but I do remember what a profound impact he had on my state of mind. Our perspectives were polar opposites and he somehow made me see what a gift this day and this activity was. He made me feel more connected to the mountain and somehow put my mind and body at ease. After our discussion, he wished me well, picked up his pace, and slowly disappeared on the trail ahead of me.
I never forgot Dag, and when I heard about this book, I was curious how an entire book could be written about him. It turns out Dag's story was so incredible that it captivated my attention from page one and left me wanting even more by the end. Brett Popplewell might know Dag better than anyone else. He eloquently tells the story of the mysterious man I met on the mountainside all those years ago. Brett's devotion to uncovering details of Dag's past is nothing short of amazing and gives the reader a true appreciation for how he wound up exactly where he is. His story is long and complex, but presented masterfully.
This book is highly recommended for everyone. You don't have to be a runner or a skier to find Dag's tale engrossing. It's a history lesson and a mystery. It's heartbreaking and it's uplifting. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. But most of all, it gives you a chance to meet an incredible human being without the sugar coating. Brett Popplewell reveals Dag with all his many faults and peels back the layers to expose his virtues and his undeniable charm. Once you meet Dag, you will never forget him.
June 15, 2023
Dag was my neighbour for many years so I was not sure a journalist from back east could capture his personality. He did so in spades and added interesting stories about the emerging sport of skiing and sad nazi invasion of Norway. Well written and true to an independent and tough character
November 17, 2025
Recommended by a drunk hermit, watching ice hockey in a bar on a snowy night
Sometimes it sounds appealing to live like Dag, though of course it's easier said than done. It's a well-written book, and I enjoyed certain parts. But more than anything, it brought back memories.
Sometimes it sounds appealing to live like Dag, though of course it's easier said than done. It's a well-written book, and I enjoyed certain parts. But more than anything, it brought back memories.
January 19, 2024
This is thought-provoking non-fiction that will make you re-think your self-imposed limits!
Author Brett Popplewell first heard of the 72-year-old legendary marathon runner who lives on the fringes of society in 2015. He arranged to meet this dynamic recluse when he discovered Dag Aabye was participating in the grueling 125km Canadian Death Race. The next few years Popplewell met with Aabye, who lives off grid, halfway up Silver Star Mountain near Vernon, B.C., Canada, and with Dag’s permission, he wrote a story telling of “the founding father of freestyle skiing” and his instrumental role in bringing attention to Whistler, the Lions, and Mt. Seymour.
For those not interested in local connections to Aabye or his extreme sports connections, you might be intrigued by his life story. He was born in Nazi-occupied Norway under mysterious circumstances and adopted during the war. He never knew his birth parents, his name, or his birthdate. Popplewell takes a journey with Aabye to uncover the story surrounding his birth.
How did this man, heralded as the world’s first extreme skier, find his way onto the big screen in several movies (Goldfinger being one of them), achieve fame as an ultra-marathoner even into his 70s, only to live in a broken, run-down bus in the middle of a mountain? Why does he choose to live without electricity, running water, telephone, or internet?
Aabye may live a simple life (yes, he’s still living alone in a school bus parked in a forest), but his history is extremely complicated. Popplewell does an amazing job of leading us to WHY Aabye did what he did and lived the way that he lived. He starts with uncovering where Aabye came from and takes us to the present day - an 82-year-old enigma who has retreated into the wilderness.
You’ll love Popplewell’s writing style. He’s “one of Canada’s most award-winning and prolific long-form writers.” As you close the book, you’ll no doubt comment, as I did, that his dedication to journalism shines through his work. I loved the author’s transparency and being part of the process of discovering the real Aabye.
I knew within minutes of reading that this was a 5-star book. I honestly struggled to put it down. My copy is heavily annotated and highlighted - the sign of a fantastic read! There are too many quotes to share with you - you need to read this one for yourself. It’s one I’ll be reaching for again and again as I crave his optimism and outlook.
I read this book as part of North Shore Reads and enjoyed the book talk with Popplewell and Marsha Lederman.
Author Brett Popplewell first heard of the 72-year-old legendary marathon runner who lives on the fringes of society in 2015. He arranged to meet this dynamic recluse when he discovered Dag Aabye was participating in the grueling 125km Canadian Death Race. The next few years Popplewell met with Aabye, who lives off grid, halfway up Silver Star Mountain near Vernon, B.C., Canada, and with Dag’s permission, he wrote a story telling of “the founding father of freestyle skiing” and his instrumental role in bringing attention to Whistler, the Lions, and Mt. Seymour.
For those not interested in local connections to Aabye or his extreme sports connections, you might be intrigued by his life story. He was born in Nazi-occupied Norway under mysterious circumstances and adopted during the war. He never knew his birth parents, his name, or his birthdate. Popplewell takes a journey with Aabye to uncover the story surrounding his birth.
How did this man, heralded as the world’s first extreme skier, find his way onto the big screen in several movies (Goldfinger being one of them), achieve fame as an ultra-marathoner even into his 70s, only to live in a broken, run-down bus in the middle of a mountain? Why does he choose to live without electricity, running water, telephone, or internet?
Aabye may live a simple life (yes, he’s still living alone in a school bus parked in a forest), but his history is extremely complicated. Popplewell does an amazing job of leading us to WHY Aabye did what he did and lived the way that he lived. He starts with uncovering where Aabye came from and takes us to the present day - an 82-year-old enigma who has retreated into the wilderness.
You’ll love Popplewell’s writing style. He’s “one of Canada’s most award-winning and prolific long-form writers.” As you close the book, you’ll no doubt comment, as I did, that his dedication to journalism shines through his work. I loved the author’s transparency and being part of the process of discovering the real Aabye.
I knew within minutes of reading that this was a 5-star book. I honestly struggled to put it down. My copy is heavily annotated and highlighted - the sign of a fantastic read! There are too many quotes to share with you - you need to read this one for yourself. It’s one I’ll be reaching for again and again as I crave his optimism and outlook.
I read this book as part of North Shore Reads and enjoyed the book talk with Popplewell and Marsha Lederman.
January 19, 2023
Described as the fascinating true story of Dag Aabye - a marathon-running hermit and a journalist’s quest to solve the mystery at the core of Dag's existence, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading Outsider. What I found was a book so gripping I knew I'd be giving it 5 stars within the first 50 pages.
Dag lives a simple, yet hard life. Spending much of his time and energy running around between his lair - a converted and dilapidated bus in the deep woods of British Columbia - and the outside world. And the "running around" is quite literal here, with Dag consistently doing more steps daily than anyone I know in often very challenging conditions. His need for extreme activity seems ingrained deep in his person. He loves the quiet of the woods and the shelter it provides from the oddities of modern life. He especially loves early mornings, often putting on his shoes and heading out for a run before the sun comes up. He wants for little, seems to leave a mark wherever he goes and has touched lives from many walks of life and many parts of the world.
Dag is unlike anyone I have ever read about. Reading his story felt very much like peeling an onion with never ending layers. I gasped, I sat in awe, I cried, but mostly, I felt compelled to action or purpose in reading about Dag. Even though I do not understand some of Dag's choices, his life is inspiring. He presents as a wild mountain man who may be partially dissociative, but he is well read and intentional in ways that make him profound.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book and Dag's journal are simple AF but also profoundly deep:
"Time matters most when it is running out."
"Consciousness shapes reality."
"My wealth is not in what I have, but how I feel."
"Of all the ways you can limit yourself, self-definition is the most powerful."
Overall, I freaking loved this book. It felt part Into the Wild, part Stranger in the Woods, but also very much like a mountain man version of Forest Gump. Dag has lived an incredible life filled with unbelievable experiences that are almost too much for one lifetime. He seems more enigmatic, mysterious and intriguing than many of the fictional characters I've read about and I questioned more than once "how can the details of Dag's journey be real?"
I am grateful to Dag for sharing an insight into his life and some of the philosophies that kept him going when it seems like 99.9% of people would have given up. I am also grateful to Brett Popplewell, for capturing such an unputdownable story. I started this book on my lunch break and kept thinking about it every time I had to put it down. I did not intend to read it in one day, but I was too curious not to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish reading. I admit to going down a rabbit hole on the internet once I finished this book to search for video clips of Dag and proof that I wasn't duped into reading a faux memoir. However, Dag is definitely real and this book will definitely stay with me for a while.
I recommend the Outsider to people who enjoy non-fiction, non-fiction that reads like fiction, epic life stories, thinking about perspective, learning about resilience, finding the beauty in simple things, living with purpose, unexpected connections, thinking about where we come from and how that shapes us, and thinking about the meaning of it all. What a read!
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for sending me a digital advanced reader copy of Outsider in exchange for an honest review.
Dag lives a simple, yet hard life. Spending much of his time and energy running around between his lair - a converted and dilapidated bus in the deep woods of British Columbia - and the outside world. And the "running around" is quite literal here, with Dag consistently doing more steps daily than anyone I know in often very challenging conditions. His need for extreme activity seems ingrained deep in his person. He loves the quiet of the woods and the shelter it provides from the oddities of modern life. He especially loves early mornings, often putting on his shoes and heading out for a run before the sun comes up. He wants for little, seems to leave a mark wherever he goes and has touched lives from many walks of life and many parts of the world.
Dag is unlike anyone I have ever read about. Reading his story felt very much like peeling an onion with never ending layers. I gasped, I sat in awe, I cried, but mostly, I felt compelled to action or purpose in reading about Dag. Even though I do not understand some of Dag's choices, his life is inspiring. He presents as a wild mountain man who may be partially dissociative, but he is well read and intentional in ways that make him profound.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book and Dag's journal are simple AF but also profoundly deep:
"Time matters most when it is running out."
"Consciousness shapes reality."
"My wealth is not in what I have, but how I feel."
"Of all the ways you can limit yourself, self-definition is the most powerful."
Overall, I freaking loved this book. It felt part Into the Wild, part Stranger in the Woods, but also very much like a mountain man version of Forest Gump. Dag has lived an incredible life filled with unbelievable experiences that are almost too much for one lifetime. He seems more enigmatic, mysterious and intriguing than many of the fictional characters I've read about and I questioned more than once "how can the details of Dag's journey be real?"
I am grateful to Dag for sharing an insight into his life and some of the philosophies that kept him going when it seems like 99.9% of people would have given up. I am also grateful to Brett Popplewell, for capturing such an unputdownable story. I started this book on my lunch break and kept thinking about it every time I had to put it down. I did not intend to read it in one day, but I was too curious not to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish reading. I admit to going down a rabbit hole on the internet once I finished this book to search for video clips of Dag and proof that I wasn't duped into reading a faux memoir. However, Dag is definitely real and this book will definitely stay with me for a while.
I recommend the Outsider to people who enjoy non-fiction, non-fiction that reads like fiction, epic life stories, thinking about perspective, learning about resilience, finding the beauty in simple things, living with purpose, unexpected connections, thinking about where we come from and how that shapes us, and thinking about the meaning of it all. What a read!
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for sending me a digital advanced reader copy of Outsider in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2023
Easily the best part of this biography is the extent to which the author injects himself into the narrative (the aspiring journalist in me = inspired). I have a harder time with the subject… At some point, Popplewell says that Dag’s unique neuroplasticity means he has a remarkable ability to never experience negative emotions like anger or worry. But amongst other things, he also never experiences worry about, or connection with, his children — which was personally difficult to digest. Admittedly, the author does point out Dag’s flaws, particularly as a product of a traumatic childhood, but I don’t believe Dag’s philosophy, which is placed on a pedestal, should be idolized. Great book from a journalist perspective though 10/10
February 7, 2023
There are stories among the locals of Vernon, British Columbia of an elderly, weather-beaten man that inhabits the isolated mountains of the Okanagan valley. The man has survived years of freezing winters and scorching summers in a ramshackle yellow school bus surrounded by what appears to be an endless stretch of wilderness. Why would anyone want to live like this? Brett Popplewell was plagued by this question when his former colleague shared the story of Dag Aabye, a former stunt man, logger, long-distance runner, and extreme skier that chose to leave society and live his life in extreme isolation. Intent on learning Dag’s story, Brett departed to British Columbia in search of the man whose lifestyle challenges our perception of aging.
This novel was a very great read! It’s not the type of book that I usually pick up, but I‘m glad I did! Dag’s story is absolutely mind blowing, and I’m very impressed by all that he’s accomplished and continues to accomplish. He goes on early morning runs before the sun is up, has stood up to a bear, and survived everything nature has thrown at him. He can run for 24 hours straight which is very impressive for a man of his age! Brett included images of Dag throughout the book which provided me with a great visual while reading. I didn’t fully understand how old and frail looking Dag was until I turned a page and saw the image of him.
Brett Popplewell has done an exceptional job at incorporating historical elements into the book. These chapters that were skillfully woven into Dag’s story allowed me to understand and appreciate what shaped Dag into the man he is today. This biography is perfect for fans of Into the Wild and anyone who is passionate about the outdoors and extreme sports.
This novel was a very great read! It’s not the type of book that I usually pick up, but I‘m glad I did! Dag’s story is absolutely mind blowing, and I’m very impressed by all that he’s accomplished and continues to accomplish. He goes on early morning runs before the sun is up, has stood up to a bear, and survived everything nature has thrown at him. He can run for 24 hours straight which is very impressive for a man of his age! Brett included images of Dag throughout the book which provided me with a great visual while reading. I didn’t fully understand how old and frail looking Dag was until I turned a page and saw the image of him.
Brett Popplewell has done an exceptional job at incorporating historical elements into the book. These chapters that were skillfully woven into Dag’s story allowed me to understand and appreciate what shaped Dag into the man he is today. This biography is perfect for fans of Into the Wild and anyone who is passionate about the outdoors and extreme sports.
November 3, 2023
5 stars! Heard about this book on a CBC radio interview with the author. Knew this was a book. I wanted to read on my next holiday. It was a fast read and truly interesting. Our small town in the interior of BC also had a similar recluse, local personality person “Gary.”
As I read the book, it made me think of him often and what his backstory may have been that pushed him to the edges of society. He lived outside with the elements for a few decades, and could be seen coming into town getting the basic supplies. The Community chipped in to help him have a warm place to sleep in the winter, but he chose not to. He succumbed to the cold (and prolonged health issues— one of them going blind) only a few years ago in his mid-60s. He like Dag lived life on his terms.
This was a very interesting storyline with the connections of World War II and the Nazi regime. I loved how the book wrapped up and he was able to get the answers that haunted him throughout his life. The author Brett Popplewell did an excellent job in narrating Dag Aabye’s life story and I am glad that it was able to be shared with others, making it a best-selling book in Canada upon its release in 2023.
As I read the book, it made me think of him often and what his backstory may have been that pushed him to the edges of society. He lived outside with the elements for a few decades, and could be seen coming into town getting the basic supplies. The Community chipped in to help him have a warm place to sleep in the winter, but he chose not to. He succumbed to the cold (and prolonged health issues— one of them going blind) only a few years ago in his mid-60s. He like Dag lived life on his terms.
This was a very interesting storyline with the connections of World War II and the Nazi regime. I loved how the book wrapped up and he was able to get the answers that haunted him throughout his life. The author Brett Popplewell did an excellent job in narrating Dag Aabye’s life story and I am glad that it was able to be shared with others, making it a best-selling book in Canada upon its release in 2023.
June 18, 2023
I don’t often give 5 star reviews, but The Outsider is an exceptional book! It is a fascinating story about a reclusive septuagenarian of Norwegian birth who is an ultra marathon runner, the first extreme skier, a stunt double, lumberjack and philosopher.
Brett Popplewell weaves together the story of Dag Aabye over several years through multiple visits to his school bus home in the woods near Silverstar Mountain in British Columbia. He also interviews family and friends of Dag in an attempt to understand the journey that has prompted this man to adopt such an unorthodox lifestyle. In the process Brett and Dag become fast friends and the author helps Dag to unravel the mystery of his origins.
A fantastic tale told with all the heart and excitement of an author enthralled with his subject!
Brett Popplewell weaves together the story of Dag Aabye over several years through multiple visits to his school bus home in the woods near Silverstar Mountain in British Columbia. He also interviews family and friends of Dag in an attempt to understand the journey that has prompted this man to adopt such an unorthodox lifestyle. In the process Brett and Dag become fast friends and the author helps Dag to unravel the mystery of his origins.
A fantastic tale told with all the heart and excitement of an author enthralled with his subject!
February 26, 2025
Better than I thought it was going to be. Initially this seemed to be a sort of wellness/survival story centered around a septuagenarian named Dag Aabye who's regularly completing ultramarathons and living an unorthodox life in a battered old school bus in the woods of British Columbia, but it soon transforms into an excavation of Aabye's origins that takes us into the world of Nazi eugenic policies, extreme skiing, and James Bond.
Yeah, that James Bond.
Given his incredible dedication to long-distance running, his decision to eschew the trappings of even the most basic comforts of modern life, and his penchant for spouting aphorisms that sound like they could have come from the Dalai Lama (or a really good fortune cookie), Aabye makes for fascinating subject matter.
Yeah, that James Bond.
Given his incredible dedication to long-distance running, his decision to eschew the trappings of even the most basic comforts of modern life, and his penchant for spouting aphorisms that sound like they could have come from the Dalai Lama (or a really good fortune cookie), Aabye makes for fascinating subject matter.
September 13, 2025
About an old man that likes living alone deep in the forest and running all the time. He abandoned his kids and wife, rarely contacting them. Grew up in Norway/ Argentina adopted by Nazis. Became an extreme skier and lived in Whistler and the Okanagan.
March 31, 2024
“a line of retreat is a snare… you should burn your boats behind you so there is no choice but to go forward.”
maybe it’s because I once watched 13 seasons of alaskan bush people in a haze or because prof popplewell taught two jschool classes I regularly reference to this day, but I enjoyed this read much more than anticipated
maybe it’s because I once watched 13 seasons of alaskan bush people in a haze or because prof popplewell taught two jschool classes I regularly reference to this day, but I enjoyed this read much more than anticipated
April 20, 2025
“If you set your life up so that everything is comfortable, then you never have to work for anything. If you never have to work for anything, then you start to grow old”
This book started off feeling like a testament to human resilience and that aging doesn’t have to mean becoming fragile and sitting life out. A sedentary life will do more harm to our bodies than aging ever will. A message that I hope to carry with me in the future.
While I admire Dag’s physical and mental tenacity, it’s clear that his drive for independence and his desire to be isolated in the mountains comes from a place of childhood trauma and at the expense of spending time with his own children. It was interesting reading about how important it was for Dag to learn about his birth parents (who he never met) and the solace it brought him all while Dag had a child somewhere, who he also never met, and children that he did raise that he was now estranged from. The author made it clear that there was some denial on Dag’s part about the mistakes he made with his own family and you get a sense that Dag is dissociating from parts of his past rather than face them head on. But, it’s hard not to admire a human approaching 80 who is living a simple life in a bus on mountainside and racking up more miles in a week than most who are a fraction of his age will run all year.
This book started off feeling like a testament to human resilience and that aging doesn’t have to mean becoming fragile and sitting life out. A sedentary life will do more harm to our bodies than aging ever will. A message that I hope to carry with me in the future.
While I admire Dag’s physical and mental tenacity, it’s clear that his drive for independence and his desire to be isolated in the mountains comes from a place of childhood trauma and at the expense of spending time with his own children. It was interesting reading about how important it was for Dag to learn about his birth parents (who he never met) and the solace it brought him all while Dag had a child somewhere, who he also never met, and children that he did raise that he was now estranged from. The author made it clear that there was some denial on Dag’s part about the mistakes he made with his own family and you get a sense that Dag is dissociating from parts of his past rather than face them head on. But, it’s hard not to admire a human approaching 80 who is living a simple life in a bus on mountainside and racking up more miles in a week than most who are a fraction of his age will run all year.
May 18, 2025
One of the most incredible biographies I have ever read. The storytelling was superb and Dag was such an inspiring human. The author did an amazing job of tying in his own story without overpowering Dag's, and I think that is just such a beautiful and natural part of human connection. I honestly think everyone should read this book!
I found myself jotting down little notes while I listened.
"My wealth is not in what I have, but in how I feel."
"I'm perfectly imperfect. Tomorrow, I want to be a better person than today. You can always work on yourself, and if you work on yourself, you don't have time to talk about other people or worry about other people. I don't try to understand other people. The only person you want to understand, really, is yourself."
"If you set up your life so that everything is comfortable then you never have to work for anything. If you never have to work for anything, then you start to grow old. I think most people don't understand that."
I found myself jotting down little notes while I listened.
"My wealth is not in what I have, but in how I feel."
"I'm perfectly imperfect. Tomorrow, I want to be a better person than today. You can always work on yourself, and if you work on yourself, you don't have time to talk about other people or worry about other people. I don't try to understand other people. The only person you want to understand, really, is yourself."
"If you set up your life so that everything is comfortable then you never have to work for anything. If you never have to work for anything, then you start to grow old. I think most people don't understand that."
July 24, 2025
4.5/5
I picked this up at a random Canadian bookstore and am glad I did. It had me hooked from start to finish
I picked this up at a random Canadian bookstore and am glad I did. It had me hooked from start to finish
October 2, 2023
When journalist, Brett Popplewell first heard about a Norwegian septuagenerian, trail running hours every day, living alone in a dilapidated school bus on the side of a mountain near Vernon, BC, he got curious. What followed was his 6 year odyssey into the life of a truly unique person.
P177 Dag had become my friend. He had gone from being someone I longed to explain to someone I wanted to understand
Dag Aaybe has lived many lives in one lifetime but none of them are what would be considered ‘normal’. But what is a normal life? A fascinating read but in the end, Dag Aaybe is not a mystery to be solved, or a psychological profile to diagnose. He truly lives his life on his own terms.
P341 “I will always be okay,” he said. Then he stepped out into the night and leaned down before he shut the door. “I’m just going to keep pushing as hard as I can until the end.”
P215 “Solitary trees, if they grow at all, they grow strong.”
P177 Dag had become my friend. He had gone from being someone I longed to explain to someone I wanted to understand
Dag Aaybe has lived many lives in one lifetime but none of them are what would be considered ‘normal’. But what is a normal life? A fascinating read but in the end, Dag Aaybe is not a mystery to be solved, or a psychological profile to diagnose. He truly lives his life on his own terms.
P341 “I will always be okay,” he said. Then he stepped out into the night and leaned down before he shut the door. “I’m just going to keep pushing as hard as I can until the end.”
P215 “Solitary trees, if they grow at all, they grow strong.”
September 10, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, it started out good and I was intrigued. However, in an attempt to create depth to the story and explain the history around certain dates, it felt like he got off track at some points, going down a rabbit hole for longer than necessary. I wasn’t reading it for a history lesson on the Nazis or how skiing became a sport. All in all it felt a little choppy and like there was a lot of filler to make up for the fact that the author didn’t get as deep a story or a complete ending from Dag like he was hoping for. I’ve read similar books to this in the past and this just wasn’t it for me.
May 22, 2023
Brett takes us on a captivating adventure with Dag that spans continents and decades. I loved this book and I loved how Brett felt compelled to add his own narrative to this adventure as his life became entwined with Dag's. I was with Dag and Brett till the last page as Brett tried to unravel the mystery of Dag's fascinating life.
July 15, 2023
I found this fascinating and engaging! I like that the writer is open about questioning Dag's story, and yet doesn't push too hard on "why" Dag has lived this life. I felt it was a very respectful balance that allowed me to learn about this unique man without him being hurt in the process. It was also a great story for a sleepless night since I was so into it I wasn't mad to be up!
August 14, 2023
I dunno, I just really enjoyed it
June 13, 2025
Fascinating story about Dag Aabye - living in an old school bus near Vernon BC, and running. Uncovering where he came from and the truth about his lineage became as much the author's quest as his. He is an unusual man, and the story certainly highlights his eccentricities. But a good lesson about aging, and staying moving.
November 16, 2024
It is difficult to know whether this is the story of the tumultouous life of Dag Aabye or of the search for his life story by Brett Popplewell.
Perhaps it is the story of a journalist who won't let go of a fascinating subject and an old man who won't let go of life.
Either way, it is an interesting read.
Popplewell admires the tenacity of Dag without making him heroic although at times he does come close to making him a role model for us seniors.
Having spent many years in the forest and around campfires I know the challenges faced by Dag. I also know the challenges faced by those who would have dealt with him. Living for long periods with primitive sanitation is a choice, but not one many want to experience.
Perhaps it is the story of a journalist who won't let go of a fascinating subject and an old man who won't let go of life.
Either way, it is an interesting read.
Popplewell admires the tenacity of Dag without making him heroic although at times he does come close to making him a role model for us seniors.
Having spent many years in the forest and around campfires I know the challenges faced by Dag. I also know the challenges faced by those who would have dealt with him. Living for long periods with primitive sanitation is a choice, but not one many want to experience.
October 3, 2024
Reasonably well written but I’m not sure what it was that bothered me about this book. The character of Dag was interesting enough.
Perhaps it’s just the well trodden path of intergenerational trauma pushing a person to the fringe of society
Maybe it was the constant theme of “pushing the limits of aging” when in fact he actually was a careless person who didn’t treat himself very well. I mean my father in law ran every day till he was 80. Theres nothing special here.
Maybe it was too much time spent on the search for parents and personal history without a solid context for it. So many of us come from broken families. My partner was adopted.
Maybe it was my failure to understand why the author felt a need to help this person when he didn’t even help himself.
I didn’t get what the personal connection was.
For me I just found it sad. A broken man in a broken life.
He wasn’t just running .. he was running from … everything
If you’re looking for inspiration here, there are more inspiring stories out there.
I just wanted to shake some sense into this guy. So frustrating.
Perhaps it’s just the well trodden path of intergenerational trauma pushing a person to the fringe of society
Maybe it was the constant theme of “pushing the limits of aging” when in fact he actually was a careless person who didn’t treat himself very well. I mean my father in law ran every day till he was 80. Theres nothing special here.
Maybe it was too much time spent on the search for parents and personal history without a solid context for it. So many of us come from broken families. My partner was adopted.
Maybe it was my failure to understand why the author felt a need to help this person when he didn’t even help himself.
I didn’t get what the personal connection was.
For me I just found it sad. A broken man in a broken life.
He wasn’t just running .. he was running from … everything
If you’re looking for inspiration here, there are more inspiring stories out there.
I just wanted to shake some sense into this guy. So frustrating.
May 27, 2025
An interesting story, but I found myself being increasingly frustrated with Dag. While the author seems to want to portray Dag as guru who can teach us life lessons, I saw him more as example of how not to waste your life. While Dag had a turbulent childhood, he had many advantages in life. Dag is cast as a strong individual who lives life on his own terms and shuns the modern world and modern conveniences. In reality, he lives irresponsibly, depending on the generosity of others later in life to provide him with a home and medical assistance. We are supposed to sympathize with Dag’s struggles with his adoptive parents, but his own treatment and neglect of his immediate family is probably worse. Dag has lived a remarkable life but I am struck more by the waste than the achievements.
October 21, 2023
An interesting story that might appeal more to other like minded extreme live-on-the edge kind of adventurists. Not me.
Dag followed his own very challenging, nomadic life style without regard for anyone else. Good for him, not so much for anyone else who cared for him.
Too many words given to his looking for his birth parents. The only thing I liked about his story was his positive outlook on everything that happened to him.
I can't recommend it.
Dag followed his own very challenging, nomadic life style without regard for anyone else. Good for him, not so much for anyone else who cared for him.
Too many words given to his looking for his birth parents. The only thing I liked about his story was his positive outlook on everything that happened to him.
I can't recommend it.
August 13, 2023
Amazing story! Hoping to see Dag running near Vernon one of these days.
Read
November 26, 2023Dag Aabye has had an interesting life. I was curious about lebensborn (annoyed that we were led to believe he was but then he wasn’t but Anna-Fried from ABBA is), Nazis in Argentina, the beginnings of Whistler (and how it was named), ski movies, freeskiing and ski design, Brian James and Nancy Greene.
P. 83
“Every day, we get to make a choice between trying to do something for what might be the last time or not trying at all. That’s what it is to age. I might never be able to do again what I did yesterday, but I’m going to keep trying” he (Dag) said.
“Time matters most when time is running out.”
P. 83
“Every day, we get to make a choice between trying to do something for what might be the last time or not trying at all. That’s what it is to age. I might never be able to do again what I did yesterday, but I’m going to keep trying” he (Dag) said.
“Time matters most when time is running out.”
July 10, 2024
I wasn’t sure how interested I was in this story, but I was taken from page 1 and found it completely fascinating. The story of Dag’s unconventional lifestyle in the bus was interesting on its own, but the truly fascinating parts for me were the backstory in Norway. I had no idea about the Lebensborn plan as it related to Norway, and the weird dynamic of Dag’s adoptive mother was really stunning to read. I’m guessing from the internet that Dag is still out there running, although maybe not in British Columbia anymore, if recent news reports are correct. Regardless of what he’s up to these days, his life has been remarkable.
November 30, 2023
When reading the description of this book something grabbed me, telling me I needed to read it!
At times it was slow but these were times where they were speaking of the main characters accomplishments in skiing and running, 2 of the sports he excelled in. I really wanted them to get on with finding out why he chose to live like he did…I guess that’s what suspense is all about!!
The ending was rushed, left me thinking there needed to be much more!!
At times it was slow but these were times where they were speaking of the main characters accomplishments in skiing and running, 2 of the sports he excelled in. I really wanted them to get on with finding out why he chose to live like he did…I guess that’s what suspense is all about!!
The ending was rushed, left me thinking there needed to be much more!!
August 27, 2024
4.5 rounded up - Outsider is a captivating biography that chronicles the life of Dag, an enigmatic ultrarunner who pushed the boundaries of human endurance while remaining on the fringes of the athletic community. Through rich storytelling, Popplewell explores Dag’s intense personal struggles and his relentless pursuit of meaning through running, offering readers a profound reflection on the nature of obsession and isolation.
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