Book I, Part I - Desolation in Solitude: Chapters 1 - 3 Summary

The main character, Jack Duluoz, talks about his first encounter atop Desolation Peak. The author spends lazy afternoons observing hundreds of miles of snow covered rock all around. The mountains are all mentioned by name. Mount Hozomeen lies to the north, Mount Baker lies to the west, snowy Jack lies to the south, and the Cascade Ridge lies to the east. There is also a picturesque lake and Starvation Ridge, which are given no location or other significance.

Kerouac speaks of realizations regarding the inner blackness he refers to as the "Void". The Void is not what causes the author to complain, hurt, feel joy or yell, it is his own humanity. The realization hits the man while staring at the looming Mount Hozomeen. Therefore...