John has spent most of his life challenging himself and exploring the wild places on our planet. His love of the Earth, understanding of the rhythms of the outdoors, and his ability to tune into the people he meets along the way might act as guidance to others of us who seek to seize life by the horns and live it to the fullest. It is too easy to be swept away from what is important by the powerful currents of our day-to-day lives. Reading John’s stories and anecdotes allows me to eddy out and regain my focus and clarity. My trips with John have been among the best adventures of my life, and I have regaled many around campfires with crazy and interesting stories that have been formed by those adventures. Enjoy this book, and be ready to take a great trip from the comfort of your armchair!
Scott Young; World renowned kayaker, and founder of L’eau Vive Paddlesports
Tip your cap to one of the great “everyman’s” adventurers that you’ve never heard of– until now. John Mattson’s life has been one grand, non-stop adventure. From his early, self-taught climbing exploits on rock, snow and ice to trying his hand at buckin’ bronco riding and downhill ski racing, to paddling plenty of broiling uncharted creeks and rivers across the globe, John has been Living the Dream. His understated, sitting-around-the-campfire storytelling demeanor lets us join in as if we were one of the gang–even though we would probably drown trying to keep up…John’s zeal and respect for our planet and its inhabitants pervades the tales and reassures us that low budget, easy on the environment, down-to-earth curiosity and exploration can fulfill us with so much life and enduring experiences.
Neal Beidleman; World renowned Himalayan climber, ultra-marathoner and extreme skier
John started his education in a one room schoolhouse on the lonesome prairies of North Dakota, but he has always believed in following his dreams. These dreams have taken him on a wild range of extreme adventures, and his stories and photos take the reader on a very exciting, humorous, and inspirational journey. His new book is testament to the wonders of Outdoor Sport, and richness of life to be found in pursuing those opportunities and experiences as an essential thread of life. His approach through this has always been wide-eyed and committed and it’s wonderful to comprehend the layering of experience this created for him and those lucky enough to share in his adventures. John took good advantage of the time he was living in. Gas was cheap. The freewheeling 70s, 80s and 90s were the long echoes of the cultural shift that affected even his “farm boy” Dakota upbringing. Under those open skies the opportunities for vagabonding coupled with the athletic joys to be found in fitness of his youth. Starting with skiing and rock climbing, then soon after taking to kayaking in places like the Grand Canyon, and expansively through the Western U S, West Virginia, and British Columbia. Interspersed throughout, John did not hesitate to make multiple trips to South America and Nepal, building teams, and structuring his life around the get it done attitude that drove him also through Engineering School in his late 30’s. John is a contemporary Explorer of the first class. In another era he might have been a mountain man. These enthusiastic tales connect us to wonderful places and the activities that brought him there.
Landis Arnold; Olympic ski jumper, avid kayaking explorer, and owner of Wildwasser Sport USA