The Snow Man: A True Story tells the tale of the man who lived along in the mountains for years, his only companions being a pine marten and a skunk. But his hobby of measuring snowfall led to the global understanding of climate change.
After seeing that the snow was arriving later and melting soon, he shared his records with a local scientist, who shared them on. And today his measurements are used by climate scientists worldwide.
Other ‘Happy Hermits’
The Way of the Hermit is the story of Ken, who has spent 40 years living alone in the Scottish Highlands, with no electricity or running water. He lives in a log cabin, chops his own wood and brews his own tipple.
Raised in Derbyshire, he was inspired to become the Hermit of Loch Treig, after travelling in the Yukon. Reading old diary entries, he reflects on why he turned his back on society, and lived a life in nature instead.
Deep Country is a mesmerising account of Neil, who spent 5 years living alone in a hillside cottage in Wales. Summer and winter, with no transport or phone.
Often he did not see another soul for weeks, so found hidden places to call his own. He immerses himself in the rugged British landscape, and explores the unspoilt wilderness around him.
The Story of the ‘North Pond Hermit’
In the US, Christopher Wright is known as the ‘North Pond Hermit’. He went missing in 1986 and lived as a hermit in the wilderness (stealing food from nearby cabins, and drinking melting ice to survive).
He only saw 2 people in 27 years, but returned to society, when arrested during a burglary.
Now repenting for his ways, he lives quietly in rural Maine. When asked if he had spoken to anyone during his almost-30 years of solitude, he said that he had exchanged the word ‘hi’ with a hiker once!
