If youre a born and bred mainer, chances are youve read the book lost on a mountain in maine the book has been a part of the maine studies curriculum since 1972, so you may have read it as fourth grade student or were lucky enough to have donn fendler himself come to your class and recount his epic tale of survival. Donn fendler died over the weekend at the age of 90. Donn fendler, who says his scout training and faith in god helped him survive nine days lost in the woods of maine at age 12, has died. Thank you, donn, for being a wonderful role model for the children of maine and the nation. The camp is supposed to be on the left but donn accidentally goes to the right. In lost trail and finding donn fendler, donn is a man in his 80s remembering his ordeal from over 70 years ago. The book wasnt based on his actual experiences, but a 12yearold donn fendler knew just what that felt like when he spent nearly two weeks. Donns book now has a national following and were proud of our own donn fendler, the boy who was lost for nine days in the katahdin wilderness.
On july 25, 2014, 75 years after fendler was found, former maine gov. After nine days alone in the wilderness, without adequate food, shelter, or clothing, he stumbled upon a hunting camp. Fendler also collaborated on another book, lost trail. Donn was with his father, brothers, and an older friend, trying to gain katahdins peak.
It didnt take long for fendler to realize he had lost his way in the fog. Feb 14, 2017 fendler, who died on october 9 at age 90, would later turn his ordeal into a book, lost on a mountain in maine. Newport, maine donn fendler has lived a full life during the 75 years that have elapsed since a state and a country rooted, prayed and prepared to mourn for the boy who had become lost on. Oct, 2016 donn fendler, a boy scout who lost his way during a mountain trek in maine in 1939, embarking on a nineday survival story that transfixed the nation and inspired generations with its themes of. Fendler died over the weekend at the age of 90, but his legacy lives on in a classic childrens book, lost on a mountain in maine. Remembering donn fendler, the boy who survived a mountain in.
It is the graphic novel adaptation of lost on a mountain in maine which is the true story of donn fendler. Donn fendler was 12 years old in july 1939, when a storm separated him from his group on top of mount katahdin. The filmmakers are hoping to turn fendler s story into a feature film. I remembered some things i had learned in scouting, he later told coauthor joseph egan.
Donn fendlers harrowing story of being lost in the maine wilderness when he was just twelve, was made famous by the perennial bestseller, lost on a mountain in maine. Donn charles fendler august 29, 1926 october 9, 2016 was an american author and public speaker from rye, new york. Students hear tale of boy lost for 9 days in wilderness. Donn fendlers legacy will live on forever in the state of maine. Fendler, who died on october 9 at age 90, would later turn his ordeal into a book, lost on a mountain in maine. Lost on a mountain in maine by donn fendler msms book. Remembering donn fendler, the boy who survived a mountain. When twelveyearold donn fendler gets tired of waiting for his father and brothers to join him on the summit of maines highest peak, he decides to find his own. Fendler later told the tale of his journey to joseph egan, who authored the book lost on a mountain in maine. Fendler was a month shy of his th birthday when he became a. A boy named donn is going on a hike to mount katahdin with his brother henry and his dad. Donn fendler, hero of classic lost on a mountain in maine.
In 1939, 12yearold donn fendler was lost for 9 days in the woods of maine near mount katahdin. His disappearance launched a manhunt which became front page news throughout the nation and involved hundreds of volunteers. Oct 11, 2016 donn fendler, who famously survived more than a week while lost on mount katahdin in 1939, died monday at age 90, a director who was making a movie about him announced on social media. Donn fendler august 29, 1926 october 9, 2016 donn fendler was 12 years old in july 1939, when a storm separated him from his group on top of mount katahdin. Donn fendler, author of lost on a mountain in maine. I was in my late teens or early twenties when i first read donns book. In july of 1939 at the age of 12, he got separated from his family and became lost on maines mount katahdin. Lost on a mountain in maine by donn fendler, joseph egan. Donn fendler lost on a mountain in maine john thurlow.
Aug 12, 2017 lost on a mountain in maine donn fendler with joseph b egan 1992 beech tree books orig. Donn fendler s harrowing story of being lost in the maine wilderness when he was just twelve, was made famous by the perennial bestseller, lost on a mountain in maine. In the usa, it is a different story and he was widely known there following an extremely dramatic experience he had when he was young. Before long, donn and a friend ran ahead of the group and what began as a sunny day quickly turned dark. Twelveyearold donn fendler steps away from his boy scout troop for only a minute, but in the foggy mountains of maine, a minute is all it takes. Donn fendler, 90, adventurer lost on a mountain in maine. At one point, he was presumed dead, and the search party shrunk from more than 300. When we made it to the trail crossroads at the end of the loop near the visitor center, we had lost the feeling of dread about a half a mile back. Jan 11, 2014 it is the graphic novel adaptation of lost on a mountain in maine which is the true story of donn fendler.
Donn fendler, who was lost in wilds of maine as a boy. Jan 01, 2011 donn fendler s harrowing story of being lost in the maine wilderness when he was just twelve, was made famous by the perennial bestseller, lost on a mountain in maine. Lost trail is a masterfully illustrated graphic novel that tells the story of a. But many americans could think only of donn fendler, a 12yearold boy lost on mount katahdin in maine, the object of a frantic search and. Make an inference about donn as a character based on this information. Being neither experienced nor prepared, the group made their way up the mountain with little idea of what lay ahead. Lost on a mountain in maine donn fendler with joseph b egan 1992 beech tree books orig. Donn fendler, who famously survived more than a week while lost on mount katahdin in 1939, died monday at age 90, a director who was making a movie about him announced on social media.
Lost on a mountain in maine 72 years later, which premiered in. A classic when donn fendler was 12, he was lost in maine for. In july of 1939, twelveyearold donn fendler started up katahdins hunt trail with his father, brother, and a few friends. By donn fendler uncle sam and you units 2930a boy scout survives alone for nine days. Long reads, cover stories, interviews and more from the new york times magazine. As a child, donn fendler was lost on maines mount katahdin for nine days. At age 12, fendler survived nine days in the woods without food, walking 48 miles and losing 16 pounds before finally. A classic when donn fendler was 12, he was lost in maine for nine days. Lost on a mountain in maine is a true story about a 12 year old boy who got lost during a hike on mt. Donn fendler tells castle rock elementary fourthgraders about the time he was lost in the maine woods for nine days in 1939.
Getting the rights back is just the beginning and something that donn, ryan, and derek will never forget. Calling actors for lost on a mountain in maine movie. At age donn fendler became lost on maines tallest mountain and then survived for days in the wild. Donn s book now has a national following and were proud of our own donn fendler, the boy who was lost for nine days in the katahdin wilderness. Oct 11, 2016 as a child, donn fendler was lost on maines mount katahdin for nine days. He later wrote a book about the ordeal titled lost on a mountain in maine. We went to the visitor center and asked the ranger there if there were any crews working in the area or any groups of people doing something that sounded like the knocking we described. In lost trail, more than 70 years after the event, donn tells the story of survival and rescue from his own perspective. But many americans could think only of donn fendler, a 12yearold boy lost on mount katahdin in maine. Lost on a mountain in maine 9780688115739 by donn fendler, joseph b. Follow donn s story through the lens of two filmmakers trying to turn the.
Donn fendlers optimism and core values have carried him to a long and interesting life, always pressing on and always grateful to those. Donn fendler, a 12yearold boy from new york, was lost on mount katahdin. Lost on a mountain in maine 72 years later illustrates what happened over the next year in the eventual lead up to acquiring the rights to donns life story. Donn fendler, a boy scout who lost his way during a mountain trek in. Donn lost his dear wife of 56 years, ree fendler, in january 2009.
We might all gain perspective from the experiences of north pond hermit christopher knight, donn fendler of lost on a. An incredible true story of courage, perseverance, and faith. Fendler became lost while hiking the katahdin hunt trail, the end section of the newly opened appalachian trail. Nine days alone in the wilderness, that was published in 2011. In 1939 when he was 12 years old donn got separated from his family and friends and lost on mount katahdin, maines tallest and probably most rugged mountain, he then had to spend nine days alone in the wilderness without any supplies. His story of survival inspired the nation and his book, lost on a mountain in maine, continues to inspire with its powerful themes of hope, faith, and the will to live. Donn fendler passed away at the age of 90 in stewart, illinois. Former boy scout receives long overdue fishing license. Donn fendler, whose scout training helped him survive.
He later wrote a book about the ordeal titled lost on a. Donn fendlers boyhood ordeal was told in lost on a mountain in maine. Donn fendler, once a boy lost on a mountain in maine. Donn served in the navy in world war ii, then went to college and was commissioned in the army. Lost on a mountain in maine ebook written by donn fendler, joseph egan. In lost on a mountain in maine, twelveyearold donn tells his story to joseph egan. Donn fendler, who was lost in the wilds of maine as a boy. Donn fendler, boy scout lost and then found in the. Jul 25, 2014 newport, maine donn fendler has lived a full life during the 75 years that have elapsed since a state and a country rooted, prayed and prepared to mourn for the boy who had become lost on. The book is written in fendlers voice, as he told it to joseph b.
Fendler frequently visited schools and libraries to talk about his experience. Donn fendler, a boy scout who lost his way during a mountain trek in maine in 1939, embarking on a nineday survival story that transfixed the nation and inspired generations with its themes of. Donn fendler, boy scout lost and then found in the mountains. Donn pushed ahead toward the summit, but turned back cold and wet in a drenching fog, assuming hed rejoin his brothers along the trail. Because of an editing error, an obituary on wednesday about donn fendler, whose disappearance in the wilds of maine when he was a boy. Based on the true account of a boys harrowing journey through the vast wilderness of the katahdin mountains, lost on a mountain in maine is a gripping survival story for all ages. We might all gain perspective from the experiences of north pond hermit christopher knight, donn. Oct 11, 2016 donn fendler donn served in the navy in world war ii, then went to college and was commissioned in the army.
After a wrong turn, donn became hopelessly lost in the wilderness for nine days. But many americans could think only of donn fendler, a 12yearold boy lost on mount katahdin in maine, the object of a frantic search and rescue operation that dragged on for nine days. Donn fendler was climbing katahdin with his father, two brothers, and two friends in july 1939 when clouds descended on the mountain and he became separated from the rest of the group. But many americans could think only of donn fendler, a. How did the younger donn fendler sound different than the older donn fendler i. The world teetered on the brink of war as hitler menaced poland. When donn fendler was 12, he endured nine days alone in the maine wilderness. Take a tip from mainers who lived in isolation long before coronavirus. Oct 12, 2016 but many americans could think only of donn fendler, a 12yearold boy lost on mount katahdin in maine, the object of a frantic search and rescue operation that dragged on for nine days. Donn fendlers epic journey began near the summit of mount katahdin, maines tallest mountain.
Take a tip from mainers who lived in isolation long before. Donn fendler was a 12yearold boy scout who, as the title says, was lost on a mountain in maine and found help 9 days later. The book is written in fendler s voice, as he told it to joseph b. Fendler remembered as true american hero, legend to. The book became a childrens classic and is still assigned in maine schools.
1169 1275 37 929 1411 919 1487 1390 183 715 616 832 959 1148 627 937 1271 1366 918 735 537 1371 689 1216 577 273 1152 786 756 847 658 965