Cassady: Climbers share stories in books, appearances
Many Coloradans venture into the mountains for escape and challenge, but few have escaped death like local climbers Craig DeMartino and Jim Davidson.
While rock climbing Sundance Buttress in Rocky Mountain National Park, DeMartino fell 100 feet, which eventually led to him becoming an amputee. Davidson plunged 80 feet into an icy crevasse on Washington’s Mount Rainier, claiming the life of his climbing partner Mike Price. Their gripping survival tales are told in their books “After the Fall,” by Craig DeMartino and Bill Romanelli and “The Ledge,” by Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan.
Survival was the beginning of the journey for these two courageous men. One year following his accident, DeMartino was forced to re-learn how to climb, bike and walk as an amputee. Davidson worked through the loss of his close friend and climbing partner. Both authors allowed their pain to make them stronger. They share their stories individually, in book form and as public speakers, inspiring people to persevere through tragic circumstances.
“Early on, people said that my story was amazing, and that I should write it down,” said Davidson. A 10-year process of digesting his experience and putting it to paper ensued. He juggled writing with full-time career as a geological consultant and raising a family. After meeting journalist (and former Coloradoan reporter) Vaughan at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference, the two tag-teamed, chapter by chapter, until “The Ledge” was complete.
“Over 20 years, I had written countless scientific articles. I had to completely re-train myself to have emotion in my writing,” explained Davidson. “It’s like training to be a weight lifter, and now you want to be a ballerina.” But Davidson wrote on, motivated to honor Price’s life and encourage resiliency in others.
For DeMartino, it was a shorter process. Outdoor writer Romanelli approached DeMartino about writing a book. The two recapped every emotional detail.
“Working with a ghost writer was really odd at first,” said DeMartino. However, recounting his experiences became easier through weekly one-hour phone conversations. This worked well for DeMartino and his busy schedule as a professional photographer, inspirational speaker and father of two. “The book has given me opportunities that I would’ve never had.”
Davidson and DeMartino continue to strive for more. They returned to their passions despite past trauma — a choice that led to their routes crossing at local climbing gyms. They share a bond of mutual respect and similar journeys that few fully understand.
“I called him because I was new to speaking,” said DeMartino about Davidson. “There are very few people that have stories like ours. He’s just a great guy. I still use the advice he gave me.”
Their books are available at Firehouse Bookstore, Barnes and Noble, or online at Amazon.com. Visit Davidson’s website to find out where he is speaking: http://www.speakingofadventure.com. Watch DeMartino on the new Outdoor Channel series (he’s the host), “Fight to Survive,” airing Oct. 1.
Amber Cassady is a freelance writer and a full-time marketer for Group Publishing. For more information about Northern Colorado Writers visit, http://www.NorthernColoradoWriters.com.