'100 Days of Solitude' released

Amy Rae Pearson’s first book of poems, “100 Days of Solitude,” documents her experience as a fire lookout on Jumbo Mountain in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, during one of the biggest fire seasons in decades.

Jumbo is one of the most remote lookouts in the Lower 48, 60 miles south of Spotted Bear Ranger Station and 22 miles west of its closest entry point at Benchmark. Pearson’s book describes a spectrum of moments, from awe over the natural beauty to alarm regarding proximity to grizzly bears.

“If you love the Bob Marshall Wilderness or any wilderness, this book is required reading,” John Fraley said.

All of the poems and photos included in the collection were created in solitude on Jumbo Mountain. Pearson noted that at its heart, the book is a testament to wilderness and connection to the natural world.

The publication of “100 Days of Solitude” was funded in part by the Flathead Kootenai Chapter of the Montana Wilderness Association.

It is available now for purchase at the Flathead Valley Community College Bookstore or by emailing Pearson directly at amy.pearson@asu.edu.