Darkness Descending

An astonishing true story of mountaineering survival

On 5 January 2003, former Special Forces soldier Ken Jones was caught in a devastating avalanche as he climbed in the frozen wilderness of Romania's Transylvanian Alps. Flung from a cliff, he regained consciousness to find himself shrouded in darkness, separated from his supplies, suffering from overexposure in the sub zero-temperatures and in horrendous pain from a broken leg and shattered pelvis. Heavily frostbitten and bleeding internally, Ken dragged himself to safety over three agonizing days only to discover that his true ordeal had yet to begin.

His account of life saving surgery and his battle to walk again is a classic tale of triumph over adversity and what it means to never give up. Heart stopping and inspiring to the very last page, Ken Jones's story of endurance and survival is an unforgettable testament to the strength of the human spirit.

“'Gripping' Daily Telegraph .”

'Gripping' Daily Telegraph. Daily Telegraph
'Battered by two avalanches, lost and suffering injuries that should have killed him, it became the defining challenge of his life. Ten years on, still haunted by the experience, he has written a gripping new book about his terrifying fight for survival' Mail on Sunday. Mail on Sunday
'Riveting. Knife-edge suspenseful. Uplifting beyond measure. Takes the spirit of Special Forces soldiering to new levels - showing how those who dare can survive the seemingly unsurvivable in one of the toughest environments on earth' Damien Lewis. Damien Lewis

Ken Jones is from Shropshire. He is a former soldier who served with the Parachute Regiment and various elements of UK Special Forces. Ken is the founder of Avalanche Endurance Events and Race Director of The Fan Dance Race Series Special Forces challenge. He is also a motivational speaker, an avid outdoorsman, mountaineer, competitive road cycle racer and keen chess player. Ken lives between Lucca, Italy, San Diego California and the Elan Valley, Wales.

On 5 January 2003, former Special Forces soldier Ken Jones was caught in a devastating avalanche as he climbed in the frozen wilderness of Romania's Transylvanian Alps. Flung from a cliff, he regained consciousness to find himself shrouded in darkness, separated from his supplies, suffering from overexposure in the sub-zero temperatures and in horrific pain from a broken leg and shattered pelvis. Heavily frostbitten and bleeding internally, Ken dragged himself to safety over three agonizing days only to discover that his true ordeal had yet to begin. His account of life-saving surgery and his battle to walk again is a classic tale of triumph over adversity and what it means to never give up. Heart-stopping and inspiring to the very last page, Ken Jones's story of endurance and survival is an unforgettable testament to the strength of the human spirit.

An astonishing true story of mountaineering survival On 5 January 2003, former Special Forces soldier Ken Jones was caught in a devastating avalanche as he climbed in the frozen wilderness of Romania's Transylvanian Alps. Flung from a cliff, he regained consciousness to find himself shrouded in darkness, separated from his supplies, suffering from overexposure in the sub zero-temperatures and in horrendous pain from a broken leg and shattered pelvis. Heavily frostbitten and bleeding internally, Ken dragged himself to safety over three agonizing days only to discover that his true ordeal had yet to begin. His account of life saving surgery and his battle to walk again is a classic tale of triumph over adversity and what it means to never give up. Heart stopping and inspiring to the very last page, Ken Jones's story of endurance and survival is an unforgettable testament to the strength of the human spirit.

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