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Crystal Clear: The Inspiring Story of How an Olympic Athlete Lost His Legs Due to Crystal Meth and Found a Better Life
In this gripping first-person account, former Olympian Eric LeMarque recounts a harrowing tale of survival—of eight days in the frozen wilderness, of losing his legs to frostbite, and coming face-to-face with death. But Eric’s ordeal on the mountain was only part of his struggle for survival—as he reveals, with startling candor, an even more harrowing and inspiring tale of fame and addiction, healing and triumph.
On February 6, 2004, Eric, a former professional hockey player and expert snowboarder, set off for the top of 12,000-foot Mammoth Mountain in California’s vast Sierra Nevada mountain range. Wearing only a long-sleeve shirt, a thin wool hat, ski pants, and a lightweight jacket—and with only four pieces of gum for food—he soon found himself chest-high in snow, veering off the snowboard trail, and plunging into the wilderness. By nightfall he knew he was in a fight for his life…Surviving eight days in subfreezing temperatures, he would earn the name “The Miracle Man” by stunned National Guard Black Hawk Chopper rescuers.
But Eric’s against-all-odds survival was no surprise to those who knew him. A gifted hockey player in his teens, he was later drafted by the Boston Bruins and a 1994 Olympian. But when his playing days were over, Eric felt adrift. Everything changed when he first tasted the rush of hard drugs—the highly addictive crystal meth—which filled a void left by hockey and fame. By the time Eric reached the peak of Mammoth Mountain in 2004, he was already dueling demons that had seized his soul.
A riveting adventure, a brutal confessional, here Eric tells his remarkable story—his climb to success, his long and painful fall, and his ordeal in the wilderness. In the end, a man whose life had been based on athleticism would lose both his legs, relearn to walk—even snowboard—with prosthetics, and finally confront the ultimate test of what it takes to find your way out of darkness, and—after so many lies—to tell truth… and begin to live again.
On February 6, 2004, Eric, a former professional hockey player and expert snowboarder, set off for the top of 12,000-foot Mammoth Mountain in California’s vast Sierra Nevada mountain range. Wearing only a long-sleeve shirt, a thin wool hat, ski pants, and a lightweight jacket—and with only four pieces of gum for food—he soon found himself chest-high in snow, veering off the snowboard trail, and plunging into the wilderness. By nightfall he knew he was in a fight for his life…Surviving eight days in subfreezing temperatures, he would earn the name “The Miracle Man” by stunned National Guard Black Hawk Chopper rescuers.
But Eric’s against-all-odds survival was no surprise to those who knew him. A gifted hockey player in his teens, he was later drafted by the Boston Bruins and a 1994 Olympian. But when his playing days were over, Eric felt adrift. Everything changed when he first tasted the rush of hard drugs—the highly addictive crystal meth—which filled a void left by hockey and fame. By the time Eric reached the peak of Mammoth Mountain in 2004, he was already dueling demons that had seized his soul.
A riveting adventure, a brutal confessional, here Eric tells his remarkable story—his climb to success, his long and painful fall, and his ordeal in the wilderness. In the end, a man whose life had been based on athleticism would lose both his legs, relearn to walk—even snowboard—with prosthetics, and finally confront the ultimate test of what it takes to find your way out of darkness, and—after so many lies—to tell truth… and begin to live again.
- GenresSurvivalNonfictionMemoir
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2009
6 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 26, 2009
If you are a chronic complainer about the trival things in life, give this a read and snap out of it.
October 20, 2009
I read this book three times in a row. Great story! I can't even believe what he had to go through up on that mountain top. Making bad decisions will lead to severe consequences, and so he learned. I really related to him, since I too, sometimes take other people for granted, and I have to learn not to always put my feelings first. Great story, and it's available in a kids version too. He is a wonderful person, and I hope that others will get a chance to meet him too.
October 7, 2009
Pretty good "I survived" book. He certainly evoked my sympathies! Pretty darned amazing that he survived.
I would recommend for people who love survival books!
I would recommend for people who love survival books!
January 7, 2010
amazing!!!
January 7, 2010
Hold on tight!
August 24, 2010
Eric Le Marque had been an athlete his entire life. An Olympian and former professional hockey player he was known for his footwork on the ice. His obsession when this book begins is powder in 2 forms; finding fresh tracks for snowboarding and using Crystal Meth. This gripping true story tells how after some bad decisions Eric got lost boarding on Mammoth mountain for 8 days (yes 8 days) Surviving with only minimal clothing, 4 pieces of Bazooka gum, an I-pod and his Snowboard (which he came to affectionately name “Burton”) At the end of his ordeal Eric’s feet were frozen into his boots, he’d lost 40 lbs yet ultimately found himself.
For the most part this book follows Eric’s 8 day ordeal, lost in chest deep snow and freezing conditions. He evades wolves, hunger, thirst, hypothermia and exhaustion as he climbs over a mountain range in the hopes of finding a rangers cabin and rescue. Throughout we’re also given flashbacks into his life, unfortunately there’s very little included here regarding his professional hockey career but he doesn’t shy away from his descent into drugs or character flaws.
Well written and introspective you get a complete feel for the loneliness, cold and utter frustration Eric is forced to endure and by his day 7 I couldn’t put this book down. As Eric awakes to yet another day on the frozen mountain and realizes he’s dieing. Suffering from exposure, frostbite and hunger he’s so far gone that he can no longer lace his boots and thinks he’s in a video game, searching for the reset button. Then he hears a helicopter.
There are some bittersweet moments here involving “Burton” the snowboard, which over the week has saved his life, become a tool, a weapon and his best friend. (Think Wilson in Castaway) And the sadness Eric feels gazing out the helicopter window as Burton is left behind during the rescue is heartbreaking.
Eric of course spends a long time in hospital trying save his frostbitten and dieing feet and also in rehab after he loses them. These chapters are alternately motivational and heartbreaking as Eric sinks into depression and drug addiction once more. For a man whose entire life had been based on athleticism to loose his feet his whole world is going to have to change. Eric ultimately rises to the challenge, learning to walk and even snowboard again. The ending chapters are a little vague and felt rushed to me; with Eric finding god and coming to terms with himself and his new reality. If you like adventure stories though this is a definite recommended read.
There’s also 8 pages of photographs including a couple in the Blackhawk helicopter directly after his rescue. I found these pictures particularly disturbing as you can see the “animal” Eric had to become in order to survive 8 days on the mountain.
For the most part this book follows Eric’s 8 day ordeal, lost in chest deep snow and freezing conditions. He evades wolves, hunger, thirst, hypothermia and exhaustion as he climbs over a mountain range in the hopes of finding a rangers cabin and rescue. Throughout we’re also given flashbacks into his life, unfortunately there’s very little included here regarding his professional hockey career but he doesn’t shy away from his descent into drugs or character flaws.
Well written and introspective you get a complete feel for the loneliness, cold and utter frustration Eric is forced to endure and by his day 7 I couldn’t put this book down. As Eric awakes to yet another day on the frozen mountain and realizes he’s dieing. Suffering from exposure, frostbite and hunger he’s so far gone that he can no longer lace his boots and thinks he’s in a video game, searching for the reset button. Then he hears a helicopter.
There are some bittersweet moments here involving “Burton” the snowboard, which over the week has saved his life, become a tool, a weapon and his best friend. (Think Wilson in Castaway) And the sadness Eric feels gazing out the helicopter window as Burton is left behind during the rescue is heartbreaking.
Eric of course spends a long time in hospital trying save his frostbitten and dieing feet and also in rehab after he loses them. These chapters are alternately motivational and heartbreaking as Eric sinks into depression and drug addiction once more. For a man whose entire life had been based on athleticism to loose his feet his whole world is going to have to change. Eric ultimately rises to the challenge, learning to walk and even snowboard again. The ending chapters are a little vague and felt rushed to me; with Eric finding god and coming to terms with himself and his new reality. If you like adventure stories though this is a definite recommended read.
There’s also 8 pages of photographs including a couple in the Blackhawk helicopter directly after his rescue. I found these pictures particularly disturbing as you can see the “animal” Eric had to become in order to survive 8 days on the mountain.
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January 7, 2010Probably the best true survival story I've ever read. This book is incredible! A must read for everyone! This writer has a unique way of bring you into the story; WOW!
June 16, 2023
On my goodness! I probably wouldn't have thought about this book if I hadn't watched the documentary. But watch it I did, and gasped, told him to get up, get moving, don't crawl into a tree well-- you get the picture in your mind now , don't you? And you almost want to yell, what are you thinking when you KNOW it's a frozen lake he's walking on, and then you hear it---the cracking (imagine if you will running your fingernails on the chalkboard) that's how loud the ccccrrrACK in your mind is when you actually read this story!!
I am not tell you in mere words how this young man came thru this very difficult, definitely could've( and probably in a lesser strong willed person) been tragic ending!
And then you learn how Eric not only survived, overcame a drug habit ( wake up call in the middle of alpine setting in the middle of at times complete whiteout conditions will do that to you), but became a pillar of responsibility, leadership and husband and father. He has also become an Inspiration Speaker
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm sure you will too. --P/
I am not tell you in mere words how this young man came thru this very difficult, definitely could've( and probably in a lesser strong willed person) been tragic ending!
And then you learn how Eric not only survived, overcame a drug habit ( wake up call in the middle of alpine setting in the middle of at times complete whiteout conditions will do that to you), but became a pillar of responsibility, leadership and husband and father. He has also become an Inspiration Speaker
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm sure you will too. --P/
April 28, 2023
This book is not for the faint of heart! There are some very vivid details that will make your skin crawl! Reading this book, forced me to face my inner demons all over again. I gave it such a high rating because he really breaks down what it was like to go through the withdrawals and clean himself up. For me I really liked the way he stayed in touch with his thought processes for nearly everything that went on. It is important that we stay in touch with our mind as that controls 95% of our outcome. At least that’s what studies have shown. In my opinion, a must read for any addict, no matter what phase of recovery they’re in!
September 7, 2018
I found it interesting to read the story of a former professional athlete and Olympian who was cocky and full of himself. Then to survive 8 nights on a mountain and survive. The ending was a little short and would have liked to see more about his transformation. Hard to like him before his accident with his self-centered attitude.
September 29, 2020
A great book about the power of trying your best and coming through hard times.
March 22, 2021
Cool story. Crazy story. Not just the mountain literal fight for life, but also the after math of internal battles.
April 29, 2009
In this gripping first-person account, former Olympian Eric LeMarque recounts a harrowing tale of survival—of eight days in the frozen wilderness, of losing his legs to frostbite, and coming face-to-face with death. But Eric’s ordeal on the mountain was only part of his struggle for survival—as he reveals, with startling candor, an even more harrowing and inspiring tale of fame and addiction, healing and triumph.
On February 6, 2004, Eric, a former professional hockey player and expert snowboarder, set off for the top of 12,000-foot Mammoth Mountain in California’s vast Sierra Nevada mountain range. Wearing only a long-sleeve shirt, a thin wool hat, ski pants, and a lightweight jacket—and with only four pieces of gum for food—he soon found himself chest-high in snow, veering off the snowboard trail, and plunging into the wilderness. By nightfall he knew he was in a fight for his life…Surviving eight days in subfreezing temperatures, he would earn the name “The Miracle Man” by stunned National Guard Black Hawk Chopper rescuers.
But Eric’s against-all-odds survival was no surprise to those who knew him. A gifted hockey player in his teens, he was later drafted by the Boston Bruins and a 1994 Olympian. But when his playing days were over, Eric felt adrift. Everything changed when he first tasted the rush of hard drugs—the highly addictive crystal meth—which filled a void left by hockey and fame. By the time Eric reached the peak of Mammoth Mountain in 2004, he was already dueling demons that had seized his soul.
A riveting adventure, a brutal confessional, here Eric tells his remarkable story—his climb to success, his long and painful fall, and his ordeal in the wilderness. In the end, a man whose life had been based on athleticism would lose both his legs, relearn to walk—even snowboard—with prosthetics, and finally confront the ultimate test of survival: what it takes to find your way out of darkness, and—after so many lies—to tell truth… and begin to live again.
On February 6, 2004, Eric, a former professional hockey player and expert snowboarder, set off for the top of 12,000-foot Mammoth Mountain in California’s vast Sierra Nevada mountain range. Wearing only a long-sleeve shirt, a thin wool hat, ski pants, and a lightweight jacket—and with only four pieces of gum for food—he soon found himself chest-high in snow, veering off the snowboard trail, and plunging into the wilderness. By nightfall he knew he was in a fight for his life…Surviving eight days in subfreezing temperatures, he would earn the name “The Miracle Man” by stunned National Guard Black Hawk Chopper rescuers.
But Eric’s against-all-odds survival was no surprise to those who knew him. A gifted hockey player in his teens, he was later drafted by the Boston Bruins and a 1994 Olympian. But when his playing days were over, Eric felt adrift. Everything changed when he first tasted the rush of hard drugs—the highly addictive crystal meth—which filled a void left by hockey and fame. By the time Eric reached the peak of Mammoth Mountain in 2004, he was already dueling demons that had seized his soul.
A riveting adventure, a brutal confessional, here Eric tells his remarkable story—his climb to success, his long and painful fall, and his ordeal in the wilderness. In the end, a man whose life had been based on athleticism would lose both his legs, relearn to walk—even snowboard—with prosthetics, and finally confront the ultimate test of survival: what it takes to find your way out of darkness, and—after so many lies—to tell truth… and begin to live again.
July 15, 2011
Eric Le Marque, a former Olympian and pro hockey player becomes addicted to crystal meth after his playing days are over. While snowboarding on Mammoth Mountain and high on crystal meth, he gets lost and isn't found for eight days. Due to severe frostbite, both legs are amputated at the knee.
The story covers mostly his time lost on the mountain and his physical recovery, as well as a chapter or two at the end about his emotional/drug recovery and meeting his wife Hope.
I loved the story and pictures, which included some from the actual rescue and hospital stay. The ghostwriter, Davin Seay, did a GREAT job of getting inside Le Marque's head and relating details and emotions. Very talented writer. I'd like to read more of his work.
"For the rest of that day, I never left the shelter I had dug. The sun rose, clouds rolled overhead, and the hours unwound as morning turned to midday and moved steadily on into the afternoon. It all passed me by. I may not have been dead yet, but it was hard to tell the difference. I had passed into a state of sleep so heavy and profound that nothing - not cold, not hunger, not thirst - could wake me. If I stirred during that long silent interlude, I don't remember it. If I had dreams, they drifted by unseen. If I realized that where I lay might well become my grave, I didn't care. For all I knew, I was already petrified, my blood frozen and my flesh turned to stone. There was no difference now between me and the environment against which I had fought so long and hard. The mountain had prevailed and I had become a part of it."
The story covers mostly his time lost on the mountain and his physical recovery, as well as a chapter or two at the end about his emotional/drug recovery and meeting his wife Hope.
I loved the story and pictures, which included some from the actual rescue and hospital stay. The ghostwriter, Davin Seay, did a GREAT job of getting inside Le Marque's head and relating details and emotions. Very talented writer. I'd like to read more of his work.
"For the rest of that day, I never left the shelter I had dug. The sun rose, clouds rolled overhead, and the hours unwound as morning turned to midday and moved steadily on into the afternoon. It all passed me by. I may not have been dead yet, but it was hard to tell the difference. I had passed into a state of sleep so heavy and profound that nothing - not cold, not hunger, not thirst - could wake me. If I stirred during that long silent interlude, I don't remember it. If I had dreams, they drifted by unseen. If I realized that where I lay might well become my grave, I didn't care. For all I knew, I was already petrified, my blood frozen and my flesh turned to stone. There was no difference now between me and the environment against which I had fought so long and hard. The mountain had prevailed and I had become a part of it."
July 27, 2012
I’m not sure how I stumbled across this book, but it met the criteria for one of the ten books I need for an “Olympic Book Challenge” I am participating in. I needed a biography or autobiography about an Olympic athlete. It also caught my eye because of the athlete’s use of crystal meth, a tragic part of our society, of which I am trying to understand.
Eric Le Marque has lived a risky, challenging, exciting, happy, sad, often carefree life; and he and his co-writer, Davin Seay, have written a remarkable story! I was on the edge of my seat reading about his eight days on a mountain, even knowing that he survives. (Not a spoiler, obviously.) As one reviewer wrote, “I just want to shake him.” I felt this same way about his reckless decisions and often selfish, arrogant attitude. It seemed like every other page, I wanted to say, “Don’t do that!” or “Keep going!”
As he struggles with recovery, from both drugs and his physical condition, some of the writing gets a bit saccharine, but overall, there are some beautiful lines in this book. There are many “if only” moments in his life, and he is the first to admit this. I appreciated his honesty and courage to go public with this. I do hope he is still on the right track!
Eric Le Marque has lived a risky, challenging, exciting, happy, sad, often carefree life; and he and his co-writer, Davin Seay, have written a remarkable story! I was on the edge of my seat reading about his eight days on a mountain, even knowing that he survives. (Not a spoiler, obviously.) As one reviewer wrote, “I just want to shake him.” I felt this same way about his reckless decisions and often selfish, arrogant attitude. It seemed like every other page, I wanted to say, “Don’t do that!” or “Keep going!”
As he struggles with recovery, from both drugs and his physical condition, some of the writing gets a bit saccharine, but overall, there are some beautiful lines in this book. There are many “if only” moments in his life, and he is the first to admit this. I appreciated his honesty and courage to go public with this. I do hope he is still on the right track!
June 1, 2010
A must read for everyone-this book will blow you away. it has so much you will be mezmerized...
January 11, 2011
I get that he has risen above a horrible experience but I just want to shake him because nothing but bad judgement calls and cockiness landed him in that mess to begin with.
May 30, 2012
Whoa!
May 30, 2012
Wow!
Read
May 30, 2012oppi
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews