Off the Page Literary Talk

The Way Out: A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies by Colorado based journalist Devon O'Neil is a harrowing true story, capturing a tale of survival, tragedy, and resilience in the Colorado backcountry. This unforgettable narrative takes readers into the heart of the Salida, Colorado community, scarred by loss and the complex questions that follow in the wake of disaster.

In January 2017 three fathers and four teenage children set off on what was meant to be a memorable bonding trip in the rugged wilderness. During the trip, a fifteen-year-old young man and a legendary local Forest Service ranger, embarked on what should have been a brief ski into the alpine backcountry. Within hours, an unpredictable blizzard transformed their adventure into a thirty-hour ordeal that left the entire community reeling.

Through exclusive first hand interviews and a painstakingly researched, vivid reconstruction of events, O’Neil chronicles the life-or-death struggle while dissecting the emotional wreckage left behind. He also probes deeper questions: what drives outdoorsmen and women to seek out adventure despite the risk? When tragedy strikes, how does a community support the survivors? And most importantly, how do those touched by loss begin to find healing and forgiveness in the face of the unthinkable?

THE WAY OUT is a testament to our enduring fascination with the outdoors and a sobering reminder of its unforgiving power by examining the emotional and ethical questions raised by lives lived on the edge. O’Neil’s exploration of trauma, community, and the allure of the mountains makes for a profoundly moving and unforgettable read. Bestselling author, Hampton Sides calls the book, "a thoughtful, sorrowful page-turner about a tragedy that engulfed a Colorado town steeped in alpine sports and the ethos of risk and adrenalized adventure. It’s a tough story to tell, and O’Neil, a true mountain athlete who wisely interrogates the very things he loves, is just the right person to tell it."

Devon O’Neil is an accomplished journalist based in Breckenridge. Known for longform narratives at the intersections of adventure, psychology, and resilience. He began his career as a daily newspaperman before making his mark as a staff writer for ESPN.com and a correspondent for Outside magazine. His work has earned recognition in the Best American Travel Writing and Best American Sports Writing anthologies and has twice been a finalist for national awards in civic journalism. Raised on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, O’Neil studied psychology at Middlebury College, a background that informs his reporting about the mental and emotional challenges faced by adventurers. When he’s not writing, O’Neil spends his winters maintaining a network of backcountry ski cabins above 11,000 feet, embodying the adventurous spirit he so often writes about.