Green Giveaway: Die Trying Book

An adventurer exposed. That's the quintessential theme of Bo Parfet's debut book, Die Trying, which tells the tale of his climb to the Seven Summits of each continent.

A former 26-year old Wall Street investment banker, Bo offers an inspiring tale that takes him from across the globe, to Denali in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, both Kosciuszko and Carstensz Pyramid in Australasia, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, and the tallest peak on Earth, Asia’s Mount Everest.

Intriguing and raw, highlights include both the highs and lows of life-defying travel. Think: avalanches dodged, crevasses crossed, border starvation and even the death of a fellow team mate. It's certainly not all doom and gloom, however; Bo's story revolves around the fierce determination that boils in the underbelly of the truest thrill-seeker. If anything, it's a read that will lift you off the couch and instill a renewed passion for exploration - extreme or otherwise.

We're giving away three copies of Bo's new book (MSRP: $23) to randomly chosen entrants. To enter, please fill out the form below. One entry per person, per day allowed. US residents only. Contest runs from March 18, 2009 - March 28, 2009. Winner chosen at random. Know that we will never share or use your e-mail for any reason other than to contact winning participants.

THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED.

Recently, I had the opportunity to question Bo on his personal travel philosophies. Here, some highlights:

GG: As a fellow Michigander, I can certainly admire the desire to leave home and explore. In what moment did you decide you would venture out and undertake such daring challenges?

Bo: I am an ardent Michigander; incredibly connected to the cultural, economic and geographic landscape of my home. But there has always been something that propelled me to explore outside my state’s borders. In many ways, I think the foundations of exploration mimic the nature versus nurture debate. People who love to travel seem to be born with the curiosity and desire to explore. I am actually reading a book about animals right now which talks about instinctual “seeking behavior.” Apparently, animals that are allowed to seek out new experiences live happier, healthier lives. Other than my innate “seeking behavior,” the moment I decided to venture out and undertake life’s challenges was in college at Colorado State University. Severely dyslexic, I struggled with learning disabilities all my life. In third grade, my teacher told me I would never go to college, and those words hung over me as a challenge and a taunt for years. I really struggled with school during my freshman year at CSU and, worried that the naysayers were right, I was close to dropping out when the opportunity to climb Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s “fourteeners,” came about. Some people never forget a road trip across America that they took with their parents when they were six-years-old. Well, I never had anything like that, but I experienced it on my own when I was 19, standing on top of the tallest mountain I could possibly imagine at that time. I scrapped and fought my way to the top, and when I returned I knew there was something different about me. Having acquired some sense of my potential, I suddenly wanted to aim higher in all facets of my life. That one day atop the mountain helped me complete two graduate degrees, start a company and reach the world's highest summits.

GG: Green Globetrotter is dedicated to travel that pushes boundaries, makes a difference and leaves "no footprints." What is your own philosophy on traveling with an eco conscious?

Bo: I am about to get married, and recently I've spent a lot of time pondering family and the nature of a legacy. Fundamentally, I want my children’s children’s children to be able to experience the natural wonders that I have. These include the ice caps of Antarctica, the snows of Kilimanjaro, the pristine beauty of Everest, as well as cultural wonders such as a puja in the hills above Kathmandu, the exotic foods of Iryinjaya, and even “hello” in a multitude of languages. One of the ways I have tried to realize my values is by supporting a philanthropic cause as a component of each of my “Seven Summits.” When I climbed Africa's Kilimanjaro, I helped set up a scholarship through the South African Institute of Race Relations, the same non-profit organization that paid for Nelson Mandela to go to law school. Then again, from an environmental standpoint, I try to decrease my footprint both on my climbs and back home. On mountains such as Denali in Alaska, this has required me to undertake the unpalatable task of packing every form of waste that I've produced while there. Meanwhile, in my everyday life, I run a real estate development company dedicated to environmentally friendly building practices. My basic philosophy is that an eco conscience should be like the Hippocratic oath that doctors take: “Do no harm… and try to do a little good along the way.”

GG: In your mind, what do you hope will run through a reader's head once they've turned the last page of your book.

Bo: Writing a book is such a raw experience, almost like being on a mountain for months at a time. You want so much to accomplish your goal – whether it's reaching the summit or finishing the last chapter – but you also want the process to mean something. Unfortunately, many people believe that when you stand on top of the world, you come down as some sort of shaman, imparting answers to humanity’s greatest questions. One of my favorite quotes states that “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Perspiration is what propels me forward (and fortunately everyone sweats). So, if I can do it with sweat and hard work, anyone can. My hope, when a reader turns the last page of my book is that they will truly believe in the potential within.

More info @ http://www.amacombooks.org/