In 1959 an earthquake in central Vancouver Island devastated the lakeside community of Pyrite Ridge. The seismic event triggered landslides that isolated the town and killed sixteen people, while a geological phenomenon known as a segue caused the lake to drop an astonishing 150 metres. Perched on the precipice of a yawning abyss and cut off from the world by tons of rubble, Pyrite Ridge became a place of myth and lore. After finding a newspaper attached to a red balloon that supposedly came from the town, Travis Sivart, an Air Force officer struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, sets out to investigate the legend of Pyrite Ridge. After an arduous journey he stumbles upon the community, now known as The Segway, which is inhabited by an eclectic group of thirty people. Travis spends a week in the town, learning of its remarkable history and interacting with the unforgettable residents. Everyone has their own compelling tale of how they came to The Segway, creating an extraordinary tapestry that causes Travis to question his own sanity. Is there a connection between his personal demons and the tragic events of 1959? Life at the Precipice seamlessly blends fact, fiction, and popular science in a unique combination of drama and humor that will have readers wondering if the mysterious town of The Segway actually exists.
In 1959 an earthquake in central Vancouver Island devastated the lakeside community of Pyrite Ridge. The seismic event triggered landslides that isolated the town and killed sixteen people, while a geological phenomenon known as a segue caused the lake to drop an astonishing 150 metres. Perched on the precipice of a yawning abyss and cut off from the world by tons of rubble, Pyrite Ridge became a place of myth and lore. After finding a newspaper attached to a red balloon that supposedly came from the town, Travis Sivart, an Air Force officer struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, sets out to investigate the legend of Pyrite Ridge. After an arduous journey he stumbles upon the community, now known as The Segway, which is inhabited by an eclectic group of thirty people. Travis spends a week in the town, learning of its remarkable history and interacting with the unforgettable residents. Everyone has their own compelling tale of how they came to The Segway, creating an extraordinary tapestry that causes Travis to question his own sanity. Is there a connection between his personal demons and the tragic events of 1959? Life at the Precipice seamlessly blends fact, fiction, and popular science in a unique combination of drama and humor that will have readers wondering if the mysterious town of The Segway actually exists.
