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  • Cairngorm John

  • A Life in Mountain Rescue
  • By: John Allen
  • Narrated by: David Monteath
  • Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (32 ratings)

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Cairngorm John

By: John Allen
Narrated by: David Monteath
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Summary

The Cairngorm mountains in Scotland are a magnet for climbers and walkers. John Allen spent more than thirty years in the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team saving the lost and injured. This special anniversary edition of his story includes new chapters discussing how mountain rescue has developed over the last decade.

©2019 John Allen with Robert Davidson (P)2022 W F Howes
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Critic reviews

"The twisting mix of sadness and wit are blended together with perfection." (Mountain Rescue Magazine)

"Makes Touching the Void seem like a pretty routine day on the hill." (Iain Macwhirter, The Sunday Herald)

What listeners say about Cairngorm John

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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All of it including outstanding narration

A life less ordinary! Commitment, dedication, skill; a story of those who put themselves at risk to support those of us who put ourselves at risk (responsibly). Simply outstanding!

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  • Overall
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Fascinating story of John’s life in mountain rescue

Great book with rescue story’s being respectfully shared. Gave me a real insight into how hard these volunteers work and how we all need to be well prepared for days out especially somewhere that can be bleak and remote. Really enjoyed listening to this, good narration and the enjoyable story.

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  • Overall
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An Excellent Listen

A really enjoyable book with some fascinating story telling relating to all things mountain rescue. Well worth a read/listen.

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Respect.

This is a fascinating insight into the work carried out voluntarily by the men and women of the Cairngorm mountain rescue team. Starting with a biography of John Allen aka Cairngorm John. Then on to actual cases where the team put their own lives at risk to save climbers and ramblers who get in to trouble in one of the roughest areas of the country. It's a very enlightening listen and although never having been a climber I can understand the comment that this true story should be part of every climbers reading matter. David Monteef does a brilliant job of the narration. Highly Recommended.

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Essential reading for any mountaineer

Through his wealth of experience John Allen informs the reader vividly of his experience and describes the varied rescues he and his team were involved in in and around the cairngorms. I also learned a huge amount that I can apply to keeping myself safe in the hills. Thorough enjoyable account of a life in mountain rescue.

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Unexpectedly, good!

It starts with a bit of a biography about John Alan, but moves into documented, rescues over the years that are either tragic, funny, or a huge success. Give the reader, regardless of experience on the Mountain, or interest, an increased awareness of what can go wrong, which ultimately keep everyone that enjoys the sport of mountaineering safer. I was sad when it finished and one of the stories reduced me to furlong tears, I don’t think has ever happened before listening to real life stories.

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Interesting from start to finish.

An in depth view of how the MRT's train, work and succeed in rescuing those unfortunate enough to have found themselves lost, and/or injured.
Intelligently and thoughtfully written, I found this book completely absorbing.
Perfectly narrated by David Monteath.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing

Amazing insight into the workings of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue team.
A must listen to anyone who ventures into the UK mountains

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best

What a great few hours ! Every hill walker should have a copy ! Story’s keep you gripped

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and detailed account

Exciting rescue stories told with warmth and humour, giving a good glimpse into the minds of these extraordinary volunteers. Some sections are a bit slower (like the fund raising stuff), but I appreciate this too - it's the unseen side of things.

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