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And I Alone Survived
An account of the author's ordeal and endurance as the only survivor of a small-plane crash in the High Sierra and of her descent to safety
188 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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786 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 3, 2014
Amazing survival story of a young woman who was the sole survivor of a small plane crash high in the mountains. With no food, a broken arm, and still in her party clothes, she climbed and hiked for three days to find help.
For a non-professional author, the prose is not bad at all, and the descriptions are clean and vivid. Very well worth reading if you like survival stories.
For a non-professional author, the prose is not bad at all, and the descriptions are clean and vivid. Very well worth reading if you like survival stories.
October 19, 2010
The true survival story of a remarkable escape from an aeroplane crash high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the US. Lauren Elder was determined to survive and despite the insanity of hallucinations she made it. The other two people in the plane were not so lucky, one dying of head injuries and the other of internal bleeding. I was surprised though that Lauren did not suspect Jay had internal bleeding – abdominal pain – cold limbs. Although even if she had she could have done nothing to help. She walked out of the mountains into the small desert town of Independence, after clambering down almost vertical cliffs, through snow, over rocks, down a dry waterfall. Then she had to try and convince a suspicious community she needed help.
The writing is fast moving, it’s a page turner.
The writing is fast moving, it’s a page turner.
January 29, 2024
This was much better written than I had expected. It's extremely readable and easy to picture, while still having a sense of style. I have to be impressed by Elder's resourcefulness and fortitude. Her description of the shock after the crash and the death of her companions was emotionally affecting and unlike what I had imagined or read before.
June 26, 2024
THIS woman. Lauren Elder. THIS woman is the epitome of badass bitches.
More people should read this book because it's an absolutely wild ride. and a true story to boot!
It's 1976. Lauren finds herself on a small plane with her husband's boss and his girlfriend on a quick trip over California's Sierra Nevada to pickup the guys lost cat. (I swear to God, that's true.) Unfortunately, instead of cruising over the mountain into Death Valley, the pilot miscalculates, and they faceplant right into the top of it. Death was found then, I suppose, but fate forgot the valley part.
We know this from the title, but Lauren is the only one to survive. The pilot makes it for a while, but his last hours on earth, which we watch through Lauren's eyes, are harrowing, traumatic, and uncomfortable to witness.
So proceed with caution.
But I promise it's worth it if you can make it through. Lauren survives the incredibly harrowing night, despite a broken arm, broken teeth, and a gash to the bone on her leg.
Daylight comes and she decides to hike down the mountain to save her life.
And she does.
20 miles. Lauren hikes something like 20 miles, traveling from a height so tall she's feeling the lack of oxygen and her #1 enemy is the freezing cold, to the literal desert.
In a skirt.
In 2 inch heeled hiking boots.
While, at a certain point, hallucinating.
And I just cannot even imagine. The descriptions of the people and buildings she saw towards the end of her journey, and her attempts to interact with them before realizing they weren't really there, are both heartbreaking and fascinating.
Lauren comments on how desperate she was to see any sign of humanity. And how, when previously in nature, she would get angry seeing evidence of humans. But on that day, even the sight of a cigarette butt would have brought her joy and comfort.
Needless to say, this slim little book is quite heavy.
But Lauren's story is incredible and more people should read about it.
5 out of 5 stars
More people should read this book because it's an absolutely wild ride. and a true story to boot!
It's 1976. Lauren finds herself on a small plane with her husband's boss and his girlfriend on a quick trip over California's Sierra Nevada to pickup the guys lost cat. (I swear to God, that's true.) Unfortunately, instead of cruising over the mountain into Death Valley, the pilot miscalculates, and they faceplant right into the top of it. Death was found then, I suppose, but fate forgot the valley part.
We know this from the title, but Lauren is the only one to survive. The pilot makes it for a while, but his last hours on earth, which we watch through Lauren's eyes, are harrowing, traumatic, and uncomfortable to witness.
So proceed with caution.
But I promise it's worth it if you can make it through. Lauren survives the incredibly harrowing night, despite a broken arm, broken teeth, and a gash to the bone on her leg.
Daylight comes and she decides to hike down the mountain to save her life.
And she does.
20 miles. Lauren hikes something like 20 miles, traveling from a height so tall she's feeling the lack of oxygen and her #1 enemy is the freezing cold, to the literal desert.
In a skirt.
In 2 inch heeled hiking boots.
While, at a certain point, hallucinating.
And I just cannot even imagine. The descriptions of the people and buildings she saw towards the end of her journey, and her attempts to interact with them before realizing they weren't really there, are both heartbreaking and fascinating.
Lauren comments on how desperate she was to see any sign of humanity. And how, when previously in nature, she would get angry seeing evidence of humans. But on that day, even the sight of a cigarette butt would have brought her joy and comfort.
Needless to say, this slim little book is quite heavy.
But Lauren's story is incredible and more people should read about it.
5 out of 5 stars
July 15, 2010
Wow! What a story!
We know the ending - from the title - but along the way the reader can only gasp at the fortitude of this woman, clad in light clothing, heels and no underpants, making a journey that experienced hikers and climbers would think twice about.
While shocked, injured, freezing cold and disoriented. She had a broken arm and a deep leg wound, among other injuries, but still she managed to make it out alive from one of the highest, most inaccessible of California's mountains, where the light plane in which she was a passenger crashed in turbulence.
Cleverly told, with "cutaways" to relatives and searchers, the story is incredible, and inspirational. How many of us, i wonder, would react in exactly the right way to survive such a calamity? She made the most of her limited resources, used common sense to make decisions, and endured what had to be endured, going from a comfortable Oakland home to a howling wilderness in an hour or two - and then out again on foot in a far longer time. Bleeding, shredded, aching and frostbitten feet.
How little separates us from disaster. In this case, a mere five metres higher and the plane would have crossed the ridgeline unharmed, those inside whooping with the thrill and the view. And then, life was on a razor's edge, with death from exposure or falling moments or millimetres away.
Until she found help, in one of the more surreal moments of the book.
I was glued to the pages.
Not a great literary effort, to be sure, but what a story! The crafting of the narrative echoes the practical, level-headed qualities of the woman who tells it. This is deathless prose, in a different and more literal sense.
We know the ending - from the title - but along the way the reader can only gasp at the fortitude of this woman, clad in light clothing, heels and no underpants, making a journey that experienced hikers and climbers would think twice about.
While shocked, injured, freezing cold and disoriented. She had a broken arm and a deep leg wound, among other injuries, but still she managed to make it out alive from one of the highest, most inaccessible of California's mountains, where the light plane in which she was a passenger crashed in turbulence.
Cleverly told, with "cutaways" to relatives and searchers, the story is incredible, and inspirational. How many of us, i wonder, would react in exactly the right way to survive such a calamity? She made the most of her limited resources, used common sense to make decisions, and endured what had to be endured, going from a comfortable Oakland home to a howling wilderness in an hour or two - and then out again on foot in a far longer time. Bleeding, shredded, aching and frostbitten feet.
How little separates us from disaster. In this case, a mere five metres higher and the plane would have crossed the ridgeline unharmed, those inside whooping with the thrill and the view. And then, life was on a razor's edge, with death from exposure or falling moments or millimetres away.
Until she found help, in one of the more surreal moments of the book.
I was glued to the pages.
Not a great literary effort, to be sure, but what a story! The crafting of the narrative echoes the practical, level-headed qualities of the woman who tells it. This is deathless prose, in a different and more literal sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2016
This is the true story of Lauren Elder who went for an afternoon plane ride with friends...a pilot and his girlfriend...to enjoy Death Valley National Monument. When Jay, the pilot , mistakes his navigation of clearing the mountain they crash into a granite slab thousands of feet in the High Sierras. From there thing begin to happen and I must say it really kept me turning those pages! If you are a true life survivor genre fan I highly recommend this one!
June 23, 2015
It's amazing that this woman survived not only the crash that killed the others on the small plane she was on, but also the treacherous trek to safety. She was injured, was poorly dressed for the conditions, and didn't know where the closest town would be. But she just kept going.
The writing style itself isn't going to win any awards but this woman's story is certainly worth reading.
The writing style itself isn't going to win any awards but this woman's story is certainly worth reading.
January 4, 2017
I've had this on my bookshelf for 10 years. Can you imagine crashing 15 feet from the top of one of the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada. This courageous young lady climbed down the other side of this mountain and survived. riveting and un-nerving at the same time. Word to the wise, don't go on plane rides with amateur pilots. They screw up...
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February 8, 2017I remember this cover from when the book was 'the' book that everyone was reading.... I had no interest then, but wouldn't mind reading it now... if only to compare it to The Martian....
March 12, 2021
I just finished this book last night. It was an easy read and the writing and detailed descriptions enabled the reader to be in the moment, feeling *as close as possible* the potential feelings being felt by the main characters. I was reading Lauren's recounting of the series of events as they happened. There are few books that interest me so much that once I start reading them, I actually look forward to reading more and prioritize doing so. This was one of those books. I told myself I needed to stop reading after a climatic moment so I could go to bed, but I wanted to finish this book as quickly as possible and find out how it all ended (and happened). I read it in a couple days and had multiple emotions once I finished the last page.
If you enjoy non-fiction, stories of survival and the human will, and are interested in wilderness skills this book is for you. The person who survived, Lauren Elder, is still alive too!
If you enjoy non-fiction, stories of survival and the human will, and are interested in wilderness skills this book is for you. The person who survived, Lauren Elder, is still alive too!
July 13, 2019
I read this book years ago and it has always stuck with me. It's an amazing story of one woman's survival after being in a three person plane crash at the top of a mountain. Not only is she injured, dressed inappropriately for such extreme weather, and at the top of a mountain, she also has no idea how to get down or where she is. Her tale is engrossing and intense, a true marvel of strength and courage.
March 10, 2018
Amazing story of survival after a plane crash in a very remote area.
September 1, 2022
When I pulled it off the shelf at my local library, I did not expect this book to be as wild of a ride as it turned out to be. Holy smokes, this woman survived a plane crash on top of the mountain, didn't freeze to death, then climbed down the dang mountain to safety. Near the end of the book, she says that in total, she walked like twenty miles.
And she did it while wearing a skit, leather boots with heels, a WWI era flying cap, and as she notes several times, no underwear.
Lauren Elder makes Rambo look like a wuss.
And she did it while wearing a skit, leather boots with heels, a WWI era flying cap, and as she notes several times, no underwear.
Lauren Elder makes Rambo look like a wuss.
October 12, 2024
Voor haar doorzettingsvermogen en overlevingszin verdient Lauren Elder zeker 5 sterren.
Het boek zelf was goed, maar ook weer niet fantastisch, soms zelfs een beetje saai.
Nochtans wel interessant om te lezen over wat een tekort aan slaap, voeding en warmte met je lichaam en vooral ook je geest doen. En om je te realiseren hoe sterk een menselijk lichaam in nood kan zijn. Waar bleef Lauren de energie (zowel fysisch als mentaal) halen voor haar 36 uren durende tocht?
Het boek zelf was goed, maar ook weer niet fantastisch, soms zelfs een beetje saai.
Nochtans wel interessant om te lezen over wat een tekort aan slaap, voeding en warmte met je lichaam en vooral ook je geest doen. En om je te realiseren hoe sterk een menselijk lichaam in nood kan zijn. Waar bleef Lauren de energie (zowel fysisch als mentaal) halen voor haar 36 uren durende tocht?
June 15, 2021
Lauren Elder joins two others on a flight from San Francisco to Death Valley. Flying over the High Sierra mountains. Pilot, Jay Fuller and his girlfriend, Jean Noller, intend on crossing at Kearsarge Pass in the Cessna 182. They came 15 feet short of clearing the pass.
The three survived the impact, each sustaining injuries. In late April, 1976, were equipped for the cold temperatures at nearly 12,000 feet. Jean suffered the worst injuries and did not last very long. Jay had the worst injuries which caused internal bleeding
Lauren had a broken arm among other injuries. She and Jay struggled to survive the freezing temperatures during the night. He managed to make it through the night before he passed away.
Lauren was faced with the task of getting from the heights of the Sierra mountains to Death Valley. Her first challenge was climbing down a near vertical ice cliff using just hands and feet, no ice axes or other climbing gear. From there she faced climbing down rocks to the valley floor.
She eventually made her way to Lone Pine and rescue.
Lauren survived a tremendous ordeal, both physically and mentally. Her story is one of determination and perseverance. It is well worth reading.
The three survived the impact, each sustaining injuries. In late April, 1976, were equipped for the cold temperatures at nearly 12,000 feet. Jean suffered the worst injuries and did not last very long. Jay had the worst injuries which caused internal bleeding
Lauren had a broken arm among other injuries. She and Jay struggled to survive the freezing temperatures during the night. He managed to make it through the night before he passed away.
Lauren was faced with the task of getting from the heights of the Sierra mountains to Death Valley. Her first challenge was climbing down a near vertical ice cliff using just hands and feet, no ice axes or other climbing gear. From there she faced climbing down rocks to the valley floor.
She eventually made her way to Lone Pine and rescue.
Lauren survived a tremendous ordeal, both physically and mentally. Her story is one of determination and perseverance. It is well worth reading.
November 19, 2023
Lauren Elder was the sole-survivor of a small plane crash on the crest of the Eastern Sierra escarpment in April, 1976. The mountains were all snowed over yet she was dressed for lunch in Death Valley, wearing a skirt and a blouse. After enduring a treacherous night huddled in what was left of the plane, she descended 9,000 vertical feet and covered over 30 miles in a single push, walking into Independence, California completely out of her mind. She did the second half of the descent barefoot, shredding her feet like mozzarella. She had a broken arm the whole time yet somehow managed to climb down multiple vertical cliffs. Overwhelmed with shock and adrenaline, she regularly hallucinated people, animals, and buildings and sometimes they seduced her with false hope of shelter and lured her astray.
Incredible story and she tells it well. Lauren Elder is a badass and the canyon she descended (Symmes Canyon) should be renamed Lauren Elder Canyon in her honor.
Incredible story and she tells it well. Lauren Elder is a badass and the canyon she descended (Symmes Canyon) should be renamed Lauren Elder Canyon in her honor.
April 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this one and it was a very quick read. The text was clear, moved fast, and kept up the feeling of suspense all the way through. When she was hiking down the mountain the novel reminded me of the adventure-in-nature type books I like to read now and then. Then her hallucinations, from shock and lack of sleep, reminded me heavily of a spiritual journey through the rigors of nature, another book type I like to read on occasion. I would recommend this. It is a compelling tale of survival which also captures the tragedy of her two co-fliers who didn't survive as well.
Want to read
January 7, 2022-----
1/7/22—Recommended by Bjorn: "I read a book that kept reminding me of you/made me think you would write a similar book if you were in a plane crash. I have read a lot of mountain books. But this one is different. Not written by a mountain-person. She is hiking out to survive and hallucinating and writing very whimsically about it." So of course I am intrigued. The Sierra setting also tugs at me.
1/7/22—Recommended by Bjorn: "I read a book that kept reminding me of you/made me think you would write a similar book if you were in a plane crash. I have read a lot of mountain books. But this one is different. Not written by a mountain-person. She is hiking out to survive and hallucinating and writing very whimsically about it." So of course I am intrigued. The Sierra setting also tugs at me.
December 25, 2024
It's very rare that I give a five star review. Non fiction books can, at times, drone on. And I Alone Survived was enthralling from start to finish.
This was one of those books that puts the reader into hiding while tagging along live, during the adventure, unbeknownst to the subjects.
I found my copy in a roadside free library. You too should find a way to get a copy of this vintage 1970's book, and follow along Lauren's quest for survival.
This was one of those books that puts the reader into hiding while tagging along live, during the adventure, unbeknownst to the subjects.
I found my copy in a roadside free library. You too should find a way to get a copy of this vintage 1970's book, and follow along Lauren's quest for survival.
February 4, 2019
A fascinating, remarkable read about a true miracle!
February 8, 2023
Fascinating survival tale, well written with feeling and strength, the book has survived many decades and is still a compelling, amazing read.
What a amazing woman!!!
What a amazing woman!!!
February 21, 2023
Survive a plane crash in the high Sierra and descend, battered and bruised, from 12000 feet to safety far below. Intense.
February 5, 2024
Gripping
March 14, 2024
Quick read survival through a lens of hallucinations and crazy determination
May 1, 2024
I read this book in middle school. This story has stuck with me all these years. I think about it every once in a while, finally found the title.
March 1, 2025
Wow, just wow!
May 25, 2025
Fascinating story of survival.
February 13, 2016
This was short but sweet! There's little mystery to this book as the title explains the outcome - it was a fast-paced, epic recounting of how Lauren Elder walked to safety after an aeroplane crash in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.
Clad in only fashionable clothes, with nothing in the way of outdoor gear to aid her, this is a heroic tale of how, using only her wits and her stamina, this young woman manages to survive. As an outdoor enthusiast and woman, this story was inspiring and will stick with me for a very long time to come.
If you have a couple of hours to spare then I urge you to give this a go - the story may be set many years ago but there is so much to take away from it, even today.
Clad in only fashionable clothes, with nothing in the way of outdoor gear to aid her, this is a heroic tale of how, using only her wits and her stamina, this young woman manages to survive. As an outdoor enthusiast and woman, this story was inspiring and will stick with me for a very long time to come.
If you have a couple of hours to spare then I urge you to give this a go - the story may be set many years ago but there is so much to take away from it, even today.
March 12, 2008
Non-fiction about a woman who survived a plane crash in the Sierras.
Read
February 28, 2009A true story and very interesting book of survival and the will to live. The plane crach occurred near Mount Whitney where we love to go camping.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews