Prolific Mountain Climber, age 73, Releases New Autobiography

True story describes the author's transformation from being incarcerated at age 18 to leading a successful and adventurous life.
Oct. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- MONTROSE, COLORADO USA  
Mountaineer and guidebook author Charlie Winger has just released a new title, Two Shadows - The inspirational story of one man's triumph over adversity. This autobiographical book is filled with Winger’s adventures during 35 years of mountaineering, climbing rock and ice, and world travel. People who have met Winger, attended one of his slideshows, or read his guidebooks will recognize his knack for telling stories. Some are hair-raising, some are a little crazy, and some will leave the reader laughing out loud.

Two Shadows is about more than climbing. It is the story of a boy who grew up in an atmosphere of neglect and abuse. He made numerous bad choices in life which resulted in his being sentenced to prison at age eighteen. While incarcerated, Winger turned his life around. He obtained his high school diploma, began taking college courses, and learned computer programming. Upon his release, he began a successful career in information technology.

Quoting from the book’s introduction by guidebook author and Denver Post columnist Dave Cooper:
“Although this is an autobiography, the story Charlie tells in this book could be considered as an allegory for whatever personal summits we are attempting to scale. The mental fortitude, perseverance, and bonds of friendship needed to scale the peaks described here are no different than the qualities needed to excel in life in general. It is on the mountain that a person’s true nature is laid bare. It has been said that character is revealed not by one’s successes, but by how one responds to failure. Charlie shares with us both his successes and failures, and it is apparent that neither has done anything to diminish his indomitable spirit. It is this same spirit that has allowed him to ‘bounce back’ (sorry Charlie) from the illness and fall that would have ended most other climbers’ careers.”

Cooper’s mention of a “fall” refers to Winger’s ice climbing accident in Ouray, Colorado in December 2009, where he suffered six fractures and was raised out of the canyon in a litter by Ouray Mountain Rescue Team members. Winger, 73, has resumed hiking and rock climbing, and is planning to ice climb again this winter.

The book is available in paperback or e-book (Kindle) format from Amazon.com and other online booksellers.  Autographed copies are also available if books are ordered directly from The Winger Bookstore.

ISBN  978-1453786789

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The Winger Bookstore is an online bookstore selling guidebooks and other outdoor recreation titles by Charlie & Diane Winger. These include:

Two Shadows - The inspirational story of one man's triumph over adversity
The Trad Guide to Joshua Tree - 60 Favorite Climbs from 5.5 to 5.9
The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Highpoint Adventures - The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints
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