About the book

The Coldest Night by Rob Gering is a gripping memoir that recounts one of the most harrowing experiences of his life—a near-fatal snowmobile accident in the frigid wilderness of northern Wisconsin. Gering, a retired firefighter and Air Force veteran, brings readers into his world, where a fun-filled day of snowmobiling with friends takes a dramatic turn as he is left stranded, severely injured, and alone in the wilderness.

What begins as an adventure with friends quickly turns into a fight for survival after Gering is involved in a collision with a deer that leaves him gravely injured and immobile in the snow. As night falls and the temperature drops to well below zero, he faces the real possibility of freezing to death. Throughout the long, freezing night, Gering reflects on his life, his family, and the decisions that have brought him to this moment. Struggling with the intense cold, excruciating pain, and the looming threat of hypothermia, he fights to stay conscious and survive until help can find him.

The memoir is not just a tale of survival but also a profound reflection on life, love, and resilience. Gering’s vivid descriptions of the accident, the unforgiving cold, and the isolation in the wilderness draw the reader into his world, making every moment of the ordeal feel intensely real. With raw emotion and authenticity, he shares his inner dialogue, the memories that keep him going, and his desperate fight against the darkness both literal and figurative.