​ ​ R. Bryan Simon was born and raised in West Virginia and lives a stone's throw from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. He spends all his free time hiking or climbing in the national park. Bryan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, a former U.S. Army infantry officer, and a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. After an injury in 2003, he left the service. He is the former managing editor for the American Alpine Club's yearly guide,  Accidents in North American Climbing and his writing can be found in numerous popular trade magazines as well as professional journals and textbooks focused on climbing, hiking, and wilderness medicine. He has written numerous books on the New River Gorge including: Adventure! A Kids' Guide to the New River Gorge and Animals of the New River Gorge: Color and Learn .