Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: BWCA.com Book Club :: A Walk in the Park
 
Author Message Text
Canoedad89
09/17/2024 08:31AM
  
Thanks for the review and recommendation. I just got done reading this one, author Kevin Fedarko's second book. I figured that if it was even half as good as The Emerald Mile then it wouldn't disappoint.


"Half as good" seems about right. It was a high bar. The reader definitely gains a feeling and appreciation for what it is like to attempt a hike through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. Spoiler alert: Hiking in the canyon can be both difficult and dangerous. The narrative is chalk full of the author's tales of woe that leave him and his hiking partner physically spent, mentally defeated, and just plain miserable.


Alas, the book is about more than just blisters, dehydration, and near death experiences. As expected, the pages abound with beautiful descriptions of the landscape. There are ample explanations of the geology and science of the place. Fedarko dives into the history of those who explored the canyon before, with a special emphasis on the Native American tribes who continue to make the area their home. He is able to meet with some members of the tribes and learn about their concerns of the effects of commercial development on the park. His new found appreciation for the history of the canyon combined with his visceral connection to the land allow the author to undergo some sort of profound personal transformation whereby he is able to obtain a deeper understanding of both himself and the world at large. It can seem a bit sanctimonious and self-serving.


For me, the highlights of the book are the exploits of the expert canyoneers who guided Fidarko along on his adventure and enabled him to survive to tell his story. That community of die hard risk takers are cut from a different cloth and could serve as the subject for a whole separate book. They bring the story to life and make it a worthwhile read.
 
chessie
08/12/2024 02:48PM
  
OT (not BW), but I am midway through the book "A Walk in the Park" by Kevin Fedarko (author of The Emerald Mile). While it is about traversing the Grand Canyon, it is very instructive as to the importance of planning and taking seriously the advice from experienced others, as well as doing homework to be aware of conditions and plan accordingly. He also highlights natural wonders, the biotic community, and an awareness of and respect for the early inhabitants, pre-settlement/pre-historic. He writes well, it is a good read (albeit somewhat painful initially, because he and his travel-mate really were pretty arrogantly stupid). It's also a testament to the generous helpfulness of our fellow travelers, something that this site is all about!
 
deerfoot
12/15/2024 08:08PM
  
A Walk in the Park , finished it this summer. Very good read.
 
WapsiBanks00
12/15/2024 04:41PM
  
Thanks for turning me on to this book which I just finished a few days ago. I don't know how much I have to add to the 2 reviews above - both capture my feelings.


One thing, and this is applies to so many other books in this vein; I'm just tired of starting off the book with a do or die episode from somewhere well into the book. I know it's a hook for readers and probably editors are pretty much requiring authors to get that hook in there, deep. I hope this goes away some day.


I think many BWCA/Quetico trippers will appreciate the time Fedarko spends on petroglyphs. It gave me a new way to think about their meanings and origins - it's been several years since I've seen one and I'm inspired to plan a route next year to be sure to respectfully seek a couple out.


Gotta get a copy of Emerald Mile now. Long winter ahead.