UNSURPASSED WONDERS OF THE RAINFOREST

If you like one-off stories about unusual people doing unusual things in the mud, here you go. This story recounts a trek led by an eccentric Costa Rican who, living in New York, managed to recruit a band of willing followers to fulfill his life-long dream of locating a remote tribe reputed to live wholly apart from civilization in the pristine mountains of untouched rainforest.

By definition, no one knows what to expect on an expedition-it's easy to screw up on the planning or mis-cast a few of the players. The result, personality clashes and ridiculous uncertainty out on the trail. But along with the woe, the outing served up a heap of glory. Though no one knew what would happen next, in the end the not knowing was where the emotion and depth came from. Outdoing oneself daily is an unparalleled high, and the little band of hikers was forever bonded over this rare adventure.

This journal-by one of three females in a group of more than twenty-somehow survived the rain, river-crossings, mold, sweat, and tears. The book was written during the actual journey, usually beside a campfire in the rain. And when the group walked out of the jungle, the completed manuscript was in the author's backpack.