If you like one-off stories about unusual people doing unusual things in the mud, here you go. This 220-page tale recounts a trek led by an eccentric Costa Rican with a life-long dream of meeting a remote tribe reputed to live wholly apart from civilization in the pristine mountains of untouched rain forest. By definition, no one knows what to expect on an expedition; it's therefore easy to screw up on the planning or mis-cast a few of the players. This outing did not go as planned, but served up a heap of glory along with substantial woe. Just think ridiculous uncertainty, personality clashes, and a soaked jungle holding it all in. Though no one knew what would happen next, in the end the not knowing was where the emotion and depth came from. Outdoing oneself daily is an unparalleled high, and the little band of hikers was forever bonded over this rare adventure. This journal--by one of three females in a group of more than twenty--somehow survived a phenomenal amount of rain, river-crossings, mold, sweat, and tears.

The book was written during the actual journey, most often beside a campfire in the rain. And when the group walked out of the jungle, the completed manuscript was in the author's backpack.