Finding Misery Mountain

One part short memoir, and another part sarcastic guide and poetic meditation on Mount Rainier. Philip Watkins documents his journey of moving to Washington State, building new friendships, and training himself to do things he never thought possible. It’s a journey mixed with humor, awe, and vulnerability as Philip reshapes his sense of self through exploring the mountains of his new home. At the core is a glimpse into a man wrestling with fear, self-doubt, and where to draw the line between responsibility and the ambition to reach his dreams. Most of all readers are invited to struggle with Philip as he questions if the misery he experiences along his journey is worth the uncertain result of summiting Mount Rainier. The book is composed of three unique sections: 1: Memoir - The story of Philip's journey broken up by chapters that highlight lessons learned. 2: Poems - A small collection of poems that reflect on the Philip's journey and Mount Rainier. 3: (Non) Guide Posts - Advice and tips on climbing Rainier all wrapped up in humor, charts, and infographics.