The High Sierra

A Love Story

By: Kim Stanley Robinson

Narrated by: Kim Stanley Robinson

A “sublime” and “radically original” exploration of the Sierra Nevadas, the best mountains on Earth for hiking and camping, from New York Times bestselling novelist Kim Stanley Robinson (—Bill McKibben, Gary Snyder).

Kim Stanley Robinson first ventured into the Sierra Nevada mountains during the summer of 1973. He returned from that encounter a changed man, awed by a landscape that made him feel as if he were simultaneously strolling through an art museum and scrambling on a jungle gym like an energized child. He has returned to the mountains throughout his life—more than a hundred trips—and has gathered a vast store of knowledge about them. The High Sierra is his lavish celebration of this exceptional place and an exploration of what makes this span of mountains one of the most compelling places on Earth.

Over the course of a vivid and dramatic narrative, Robinson describes the geological forces that shaped the Sierras and the history of its exploration, going back to the indigenous peoples who made it home and whose traces can still be found today. He celebrates the people whose ideas and actions protected the High Sierra for future generations. He describes uniquely beautiful hikes and the trails to be avoided. Robinson’s own life-altering events, defining relationships, and unforgettable adventures form the narrative’s spine. And he illuminates the human communion with the wild and with the sublime, including the personal growth that only seems to come from time spent outdoors.

The High Sierra is a gorgeous, absorbing immersion in a place, born out of a desire to understand and share one of the greatest rapture-inducing experiences our planet offers. Packed with maps, gear advice, more than 100 breathtaking photos, and much more, it will inspire veteran hikers, casual walkers, and travel readers to prepare for a magnificent adventure.

Critic reviews

“A titan of science fiction masters a new form in this winsome love letter to California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Constructed from an impassioned blend of memoir, history, and science writing, The High Sierra chronicles Robinson’s 100-plus trips to his beloved mountains… From descriptions of the region’s multitudinous flora and fauna to practical advice about when and where to hike, this is as comprehensive a guidebook as any, complete with all the lucid ecstasy of nature writing greats like John Muir and Annie Dillard.”—Adrienne Westenfeld, Esquire

“[A] loose-limbed quality is what makes The High Sierra so appealing. But it’s also something more. Robinson clearly accepts the limits of what nature writing can do, in his hands at least. After a stunning solo hike, he tries to describe it to a friend. But he discovers that 'a day like that can’t be shared; that must not be what they are for...' Rationality is a word with a dry, ascetic feel to it. Perhaps reasonableness comes a little closer to the animating spirit of The High Sierra. That sounds strange, I know, for a book whose purpose is analyzing Robinson’s “crazy love” of the mountains. But it’s a way of getting at the wholeness of his complex approach to the natural world: inquisitive and emotional, thoughtful and immediate, long-range and short-range, drawing on all the variables in the human spirit.”—Verlyn Klinkenborg, The Atlantic

“The High Sierra is as sprawling and full of ups and downs as the Sierra Nevada itself, those majestic mountains… the memoir offers fast-paced and highly readable explorations of Sierra history, people, geography, geology and how the range’s rocks can shift your mind… the book is most powerful for demonstrating how a mountain range, and its history, can inspire visions of the future.”—Joe Mathews, San Francisco Chronicle

"In passionate paragraphs and stunning photographs, The High Sierra details the mountains [Robinson has] known for nearly 50 years, into which he’s made more than 100 trips in hopes of protecting the glorious range for future generations."—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times

“[A] multiplicity of perspectives makes The High Sierra an engaging read even if you've never been to California.”—Christian Holub, Entertainment Weekly

“An invitation to an astonishing journey… Robinson is the reigning high priest of speculative science fiction, a master builder of alternative futures in his many novels… It’s hard to think of another writer who can touch upon climatology, geology, Gary Snyder, LSD, Aristotle, botany, zoology and Spinal Tap in a book about a mountain range… Robinson is a passionate and eloquent companion.”—Marc Weingarten, Wall Street Journal

Makes me want to go backpacking again

I loved the mix of personal story, geology, botany, and stories about Sierra people and history. I would love to sit down and share a beer with the author and listen to his many wonderful stories in person.

Crept up on me

Even though I had read the description and several reviews before choosing this audiobook, when I started listening, it wasn’t what I expected. In fact, I almost returned it. But somehow after a few chapters, it started growing on me. It gradually drew me in and I ended up loving it. The author was able to convey his passion and love for hiking in this region of our country in a way that captured my imagination and gave me an appreciation for the beauty and challenge of this area. I was sad to come to the end.

Nature

Liked that his love of nature has influenced his sci fi writing. Beautiful depiction of the mountains in California

Fantastic Sierra story

This is a great book to find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Sierras. The author has spent all of his adult life hiking these mountains and had learned the history, geology, and landscape. Very entertaining and informative. Loved every chapter.

Must-read for fans of Robinson... or backpacking

This is a passionate and extensive look into one man's adventures in the High Sierra. It's all the more special because this man is one of my favorite authors. He talks about what backpacking is like, what the Sierra mountain range is like, etc. He also dedicates a good bit of the book to his backpacking mentor and late friend. As a fan of his books, I enjoyed reading about how various backpacking trips influenced his writing. Especially the Mars trilogy, and Shaman.

One chapter is just a bibliography. I didn't get much out of it. Another chapter is about naming mountains and other land formations. It includes his opinions about what should be renamed. That was also not interesting to me. In terms of backpacking gear, he's kind of an ultra-light chauvinist which I found strange. He also recommends against carrying adequate water which I find dangerous.

Read this book is you're a Robinson fan and want what's as close to an autobiography as we're likely to get. Also read if you're an aspirational, occasional, or expert backpacker.