The Way Out: A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies

by Devon O'Neil

A harrowing, never-before-told story of death and endurance in the Colorado mountains—thirty hours that changed lives forever and ultimately reexamines the cost of adventure, by a star Outside Magazine writer.

“You wanna ski a lap?”

Fifteen-year-old Cole Walters-Schaler didn’t hesitate. This was why they’d come to the backcountry, after all—three fathers and four teenage children together for a bonding weekend of off-track skiing outside Salida, Colorado, in January 2017.

Within minutes, Cole and Brett Beasley, a longtime Forest Service ranger and expert outdoorsman in his mid-forties, had pushed off from their cabin, expecting to be gone for a quick half hour or so. But an unforgiving blizzard transformed their quick jaunt into a thirty-hour ordeal that would end in tragedy, as the community raced to find them.

The Way Out is the story of those ensuing hours and their fallout—an almost unbelievable event that shook a tight-knit mountain community, forced a reckoning, and raised difficult questions about life and death, guilt and redemption, and the pursuit of adventure. Why, when we know that the wilderness can kill, can’t we stay away? When the unthinkable happens, how does a community forgive the survivors? And how do the survivors forgive themselves?

Drawing on firsthand interviews with those closest to the tragedy, including one of the key eyewitnesses, and written with the gripping intensity of classics such as Into Thin Air and Touching the Void, O’Neil recreates that fateful day. The Way Out is a thoughtful investigation of the allure of the wilderness and the aftermath of trauma, and an unforgettable look at life at its very edge.

The Way Out includes 12-14 black-and-white personal photos throughout.

Genres: Nonfiction, Book Club, Sports, Survival

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Kristy Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love nature and wildlife so when I saw the survival story about a short hike gone wrong, I was intrigued and quickly put my name on the waiting list for the audiobook at my library. The story follows several families that were effected by the events that take place near Salida, Colorado in 2017. Three fathers and four teenage children visit a cabin in the backcountry but when one father and a fifteen year old boy go off for a short jaunt on their skies and weather comes in, the others must kick off a search that turns into a thirty-hour ordeal with a tragic end that effects all the families in a variety of ways.

The background on the families was well researched. I settled in to listen to the audio narrated by a Roger Wayne, a first for me. I thought the narrator covered the material with a pleasant demeanor that I enjoyed, anticipating the details of the search for these adventurers. I found the details of the search to be the part of the book that I enjoyed the most.

The details of what happened to this pair are ambiguous due to the nature of the situation and the lack of first hand accounts. There was a lot of speculation and theories about what happened on that mountain, but not a lot of consensus on the details due to contradictions in the account. I found this a bit frustrating. I felt like it was supposed to be more about the way the families learned to live with what happened after and still enjoy nature and adventure in the wake of tragedy, and yet, I felt like that wasn’t fully explored either. I was a bit disappointed in the end. I think this book set out to ask questions that maybe aren’t exactly answerable to any degree of satisfaction for some.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gripping disaster story that you will have a very hard time putting down. It holds vital lessons for backcountry skiers everywhere, but it's a great read for anyone.

[Cary Piecoup · Rating 5 out of 5]

A devastating tragedy. A community changed forever. With rare access and deep empathy, the author tells their story with honesty, sensitivity, and hope.

[Erin Sulva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, I wished I could read it all in one go! I picked this up at a local bookstore’s book swap. I almost always read nonfiction, but it’s usually biographies, educational books, or books on justice and equality, or other sociological topics. A true story of survival seemed like an interesting departure from that. The author did a great job of introducing us to the lives of the people involved, before, during, and after the incident. I think the background information was important, as not all of us are from the American West and familiar with the outdoor adventure culture, which is very important in this read. I really enjoyed it, because it’s real, emotional, and just a unique story involving nature. I wish the best for everyone impacted by this in real life.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fabulous book that hit really close to home. I have rafted Pine creek mentioned in the book. Further down the Ark the same day, we flipped on one of the numbers rapids. I came up under the boat, with an air pocket, but being dragged downriver banging into rocks. I finally was able to get out from under the boat and hauled myself up on a rock in the middle of the river. Heaving in breath I realized our guides had a rescue line further down river, and we were missing a passenger. He had made it to the side of the river, and walked up to Highway 24, meanwhile we were all desperately searching for him. We all survived. Some had broken ribs. I was unscathed. The 3 friends I went with have never rafted again. I raised my kids on the river, from the time my youngest was probably just 8. What I've learned from decades of adventuring in the Colorado mountains, is that each person has to be responsible for themselves. Yes other people can and do help, but ultimately when you are thrown in a river, or crash in the snow, you have to be prepared to self rescue. You have to have the right safety gear, and you have to realize that decisions made under duress can have fatal implications. No judgement on either Cole or Brett. They were excited and forgot to be careful. A cell phone, or warm clothes could have been the difference between life and death. They were human, and humans make mistakes. Pack the gear, take the cell phone. Better yet take the Garmin in reach. Prepare and enjoy nature carefully. There is nothing better, and the author is right that nature doesn't play favorites. Also I wish I had bought real estate in Salida back then!

[Amy Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to #HarperOne and #NetGalley for the DRC of #TheWayOut. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is the story of Brett Beasley and the tight-knit community of Salida, CO. Beasley is a husband, dad and park ranger who feels most at home in the outdoors. He's built a reputation on his hard-charging abilities and in the process accumulated a posse of adventure buddies. O'Neil writes with brutal honesty about the impact a "thrill seeker" has on their family and friends and the pain left behind when something goes horribly wrong.

This is really well-written narrative non-fiction about life, death, family and community. Perfect for fans of Krakauer.

[Jpb Mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written! Super enjoyable true story that kept me turning pages to the very end. A multitude of great perspectives that O’Neil captured expertly. I really appreciate his work and definitely am glad that I read this book. It’s a hard look at a disaster in nature but at the same time it explores the joy that so many of us get from going into nature. Definitely recommend!

[MJ Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book! Hard to put down. For a “survival story” it goes deep on many levels; providing incredible emotional context leading up to the incident, the grief that followed and reckoning with the decision to lead an adventurous life in the mountains. Exceptional reporting and wonderful writing.

[Mariah Granzella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story, similar to into the wild and into thin air. This happened in my hometown, so I also knew of a lot of the people involved, which makes for a sad listen. But really an important read and a good description of trauma and survivors guilt and the importance of always being prepared.

[Ellen Hollinshead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down. An incredible true story of a backcountry ski trip gone wrong. So many intriguing characters in this book from a small mountain town in Colorado. One of the best nonfiction adventure stories I have read in awhile!

[Mamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I was irritated with the central figure for most if not all of the book, and I felt badly for everyone else involved. I wonder how those in the book feel after reading it and living it again through the narrative told. It was written well enough but was not for me.

[Torey Ivanic · Rating 4 out of 5]

All adventurous parents should read this book. The ripple effect of tragedy is wide. Balancing adventure, selfishness, joy, adrenaline, and responsibility are all touched on in this story. Thoughtful, raw, and very real.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the city of Salida and have spent a lot of time there. I had never heard about this tragedy. Well written and thought provoking. Would be good for a book club discussion.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Best book I've read this year.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story, but not enough for a whole book. There was too much backstory, used as filler, for most of the participants I found myself skimming through many of these character histories.