I'm not a skier. I'm also not a 34;product reviewer34;. This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I had such an incredible emotional reaction to it, I had to write a note. The authors ability to tell the story of who Doug Coombs was as a person, the passion he had for life, and the inspiration he was to so many people - was incredible. That mixed in with the authors own personal journey as he pulled together this story, and the ability for him to convey how, years after his tragic accident, Coombs was literally changing the way he himself saw the world, left me wanting more every time I put the book down. Just an incredible read start to finish, highly suggest it, even for the non skier.

Tracking the Wild Coomba is a wonderful story of the life of free skiing legend Doug Coombs. As an alpine enthusiast, understanding Doug's path from a small recreational resort in Massachusetts to the winter landscapes of of Wyoming, Alaska, and La Grave, France was lively and enriching and stands as a testament to all those who have sought adventure and camaraderie in the mountains. Equally compelling is Rob's own personal journey which is tightly woven into the fabric of the narrative as he follows is heart to the connect with the people and places that Coomb's touched throughout his vivid life. A 5 star book that should be a positive addition to any skier or mountaineer's library.

A truly inspiring read about the man who pioneered ski mountaineering. I highly recommend this book to anyone who had a passion for skiing, mountains, or even just a lover of a life well lived. Amazing book!!!

Really loved this book! Cocuzzo did a wonderful job of capturing Doug's spirit and sharing his exciting life story with the reader. I also enjoyed learning about the history of extreme skiing and the interesting people who are involved in this exciting lifestyle. A great book to get you excited about the upcoming ski season. Highly recommended!

34;Tracking the Wild Coomba34; was recommended to me even though I am not a ski fanatic. I quickly learned that you don't have to be! Not only was I introduced to the world of extreme skiing unlike anything I could imagine, I was left inspired by David Coombs as well as by the author, Robert. Robert does a nice job at quietly intertwining himself throughout the book, while allowing the reader to become mesmerized at the passion of David Coombs. I was not familiar with him before reading this, but am grateful for the opportunity to have 34;met34; him through these pages.

Unwittingly, I stitched together a course in choosing my skiing destinations over the years that mimicked those of Dough Coombs through his career. Somewhat ignorant to his legacy, I skied in Chamonix with Miles and Liz Smart for their Steep Skiing Camp in 2010 and then followed Miles to La Grave in 2011 as if captured by certain force field. Reading Rob Cocuzzo's wonderful chronicle of the life of Doug Coombs, I feel like the choices in my skiing endeavors had been validated. Having (much less effortlessly and certainly more cautiously) followed in Doug's footsteps , I felt personally attached to this story as it brought back some of my happiest memories and most cherished accomplishments. The people and places described by Rob in 34;Tracking the Wild Coomba34; are so vivid and true that, while sitting on the beach in Asbury Park, I found myself smirking under my sunglasses thinking about riding the telepherique in La Grave or traversing the ridgeline at Bridger Bowl. Anybody who has been inspired by Doug Coomb's legacy, or may be inspired by it, would greatly enjoy this read, either heading into or deep within a ski season!

As someone who casually followed Doug Coombs' career in ski movies and magazines it was incredibly sad when I read about his death in 2006, and how he left a wife and 2 year old son behind. Reading this book filled me in on the many things I never knew regarding Coombs and his life and death. If you know of Doug Coombs, or if you're even a casual skier, you will probably enjoy this book. It's very well written, and you feel, along with the author, that in some way you get to know the man behind the legend.

I read only one book a year. Tracking the Wild Coomba was my pick for 2016. It did not disappoint. Cocuzzo takes you on a journey with him to remote areas of the world known only to extreme skiers and ski enthusiasts. We get to known the life of legendary skier, Doug Coombs. And get to witness the strong connection these two men shared... having never met one another. I'd recommend this book to any outdoor enthusiast or anyone who's shares a strong connection to someone who has past into the afterlife.

Well written and well researched, this book really lives up to its title. Cocuzzo takes us along as he Tracks the Wild Coomba, with compelling scenes of Coombs's life, travels, and adventures. Along the way, he provides the reader with interesting insights as well as glimpses into his own life and love of the outdoors. Well done.

I loved this book! Once I picked it up I could not put it down. The writing is poetic and emotionally provocative. It's not only an incredible account of an impressive existence of a truly outstanding mountaineer skier, but is also the story of the coming of age, so to speak, of the writer as he follows in Coombs' footsteps, seeking truth. It's a profound look into humanity and what each of us leaves behind in the world. I recommend this book not only to all alpine enthusiasts but to anyone who enjoys reading inspiring adventures.

Since I grew up with Doug Coombs, I was really looking forward to this book. But the book is very amateurishly written.

As someone who, prior to reading this book, was not well-versed in the world of extreme skiing or familiar with the legacy of Doug Coombs, I can say that I wholeheartedly enjoyed every page. Cocuzzo sucks you right in and takes you along on a thrilling, and yet profoundly human, adventure. I found myself visualizing Coombs' lines and feeling the snow crunching under my feet -- all while reading from the comfort of a beach in early August! Superbly written and well-researched, this book was clearly a labor of love and I would recommend it highly to anyone and everyone.

I absolutely loved this book. It was captivating and poignant.

I am not going to say the same things that everyone has said so far, which is s masterpiece. The book is awesome describing who Doug truly is. I am a skier who spent my first seven winters skiing everyday at Alta/Snowbird until 2009, I knew of Doug, but never met him. Then I moved up to Jackson Hole in the 09-10 ski season (still ski here eight winters later getting 125 days every winter) for new mountains. There in my new home, I met Robbie Cocuzzo he soon was my ski buddy who I also worked with at a restaurant at night. The chapters where he is following Doug's tales are awesome because I personally know his mindset. Those to me are as good as Doug's stories. This is one of the best biographies I have read in quite some time Robbie never even met Doug. However, the diligent guy that he is, he found out the adventures of Coombs that only few people know. This comes from someone that recently got a patch pin for just having fun in the mountains day after day. The journey is as thrilling as the destination. This book is never leaving my personal book collection.

While Sitting on a hot cape cod beach on my summer vacation reading 34;Tracking the Wild Comba34; I was transported to the Mountains of the world . What a thrilling adventure. The author had me holding my breath, laughing and crying- all the ingredients for a great summer read!

Realy good book I loved the way he told coombs story and he related it with his own journey to understand him

Great read!! Cocuzzo guides you thru his own personal journey as well as reveals the true man not just the legend that was Doug Coombs. The writing makes you feel as though you are there every step of the way...a real page turner. This is a wonderful tribute to Doug, his family values, his love for skiing and his attention to safe practices on the slopes. Rob shows you to believe in serendipity and the true power of human connections.

Awesome. Cocuzzo documents the legendary skier Doug Coombs in a style only possible from an author who went out into the mountains to get a taste of the savagery that was Doug Coombs, which he reproduces in masterful detail. Tracking The Wild Coomba, is simply a must-read..

A very well crafted book. Author, Rob Cocuzzo takes you on a page turner adventure exploring the life and death journey of extreme mountaineer skier Doug Coombs. Cocuzzo uses beautiful language and metaphor to describe his own experiences as he navigates the places and mind-set of this superb athlete. The book left me questioning why some seek these out-of-bounds life styles, while others are content staying within the markers that society sets up for us as acceptable. Highly recommend this book.

I lived in Teton Village Wyoming in the late 90's and Wilson for ten years. Doug Coombs was an event within himself. Big mountain skiing is filled huge egos, and even bigger personalities. Doug would have them all eating out his hands with his amazing vision of the possibilities in the mountains. He was able to envision the boundless potentials, but also inspire other adventurers that they were a part of his world. This book was able to evoke some serious emotions from me. The skiing community is a pretty tight as well as sensitive to outsiders. Rob has done a fantastic job of being respectful to this underpinning of the ski culture. This book is more than an account of a tragic accident, but a celebration of an inspiring individual. Doug was my hero. The day he died truly broke my heart. This book made me smile with the energy of the community, the love of his wife, and the respectful tribute to his son 34;David34;. You really have covered all the bases with this book. It's pretty funny how in his absence Doug Coombs was able to inspire from the great unknown and take someone else on a life changing adventure.