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A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon

A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon

by Kevin Fedarko

4.6 (715 ratings)
Books on CD

Published

May 28, 2024

Pages

Not found

Language

English

Publisher

Simon & Schuster Audio

Available Formats & Prices

View on Amazon

Kindle

$5.99

Hardcover

$19.89

Audiobook

$0.00

Audio CD

Not found

About This Book

From the author of the beloved bestseller The Emerald Mile comes a rollicking and poignant account of the epic misadventure of two friends, zero preparation, and one dream: a 750-mile odyssey, on foot, through the heart of America's most magnificent national park and the grandest wilderness on earth. A few years after quitting his job to follow an ill-advised dream of becoming a guide on the Colorado River, Kevin Fedarko was approached by his best friend, the National Geographic photographer Pete McBride, with a vision as bold as it was harebrained. Together, they would embark on an end-to-end traverse of the Grand Canyon, a journey that, McBride promised, would be "a walk in the park." Against his better judgment, Fedarko agreed to the scheme, unaware that the small cluster of experts who had completed the crossing billed it as "the toughest hike in the world." The ensuing ordeal, which lasted more than a year, revealed a place that was deeper, richer, and far more complex than anything the two men had imagined--and that came within a hair's breadth of killing them both.

They struggled to make their way through the all-but-impenetrable reaches of its truest wilderness, a vertical labyrinth of thousand-foot cliffs and crumbling ledges where water is measured out by the teaspoon and every step is fraught with peril--and where, even today, there is still no trail along the length of the country's best-known and most iconic park. Along the way, veteran long-distance hikers ushered them into secret pockets, invisible to the millions of tourists gathered on the rim, where only a handful of humans have ever laid eyes. Members of the canyon's eleven Native American tribes brought them face-to-face with layers of history that forced them to reconsider myths at the center of our national parks--and exposed them to the impinging threats of commercial tourism.

Even Fedarko's dying father, who had first pointed him toward the canyon more than forty years earlier but had never set foot there himself, opened him to a new way of seeing the landscape. And always, there was the great gorge itself: austere and unforgiving but suffused with magic, drenched in wonder, and redeemed by its own transcendent beauty. A Walk in the Park is a singular portrait of a sublime place and a deeply moving plea for the preservation of America's greatest natural treasure.

Introduction

The Grand Canyon has long been a beacon for adventurers and thrill-seekers, but few tales capture the raw essence of its demanding beauty quite like 'A Walk in the Park.' This narrative unfolds a seemingly simple journey into a dizzying spectacle of challenges, self-discovery, and the sheer unpredictability of nature. While the twists of fate lead the protagonist through unexpected hurdles, the story ultimately becomes a tribute to human resilience and the eternal allure of one of the world's most magnificent landscapes.

Key Takeaways

The Grand Canyon transforms into a crucible testing the limits of courage and resilience. A mix of unexpected challenges turns a simple hike into the adventure of a lifetime. Nature's grandeur and unpredictability teach life lessons in survival and humility.

Detailed Description

The Grand Canyon with its majestic spires and deep gorges becomes the backdrop for a captivating tale where reality surpasses imagination. In 'A Walk in the Park a routine hiking trip spirals into an extraordinary odyssey. It's a story that reminds us how unpredictability often shapes our greatest adventures.

Each step taken into the Canyon reveals layers of complexity beneath its beauty. The protagonist confronts unforeseen challenges that test endurance and spirit. As the journey unfolds what began as a leisurely walk transforms into an intense battle against both nature and the self highlighting the essence of survival.

What is ostensibly a misadventure is actually a profound journey of self-discovery. Decisions made under duress become pivotal moments. 'A Walk in the Park' presents a gripping exploration of human tenacity encapsulated by the breathtaking and unforgiving terrain of the Grand Canyon.

The narrative weaves through lush valleys and steep climbs painting a vivid picture of the Canyon's splendor and ferocity. This story is not just about the thrill of exploration; it's a deep reflective study of life nature and the endurance it takes to emerge from the unknown.

Standout Features

'A Walk in the Park' captivates readers with its authentic portrayal of the Grand Canyon's multifaceted beauty and danger, offering a narrative as dynamic as the landscape itself. The story blends vivid descriptions with a profound psychological exploration, providing a unique journey not only through geography but also through the human spirit. Its gripping portrayal of resilience in the face of unexpected adversity offers an enriching reading experience, appealing both to adventure enthusiasts and those intrigued by personal growth narratives.

Book Details

ISBN-10:

1797169602

ISBN-13:

978-1797169606

Dimensions:

5.75 x 1.1 x 5.67 inches

Weight:

7.2 ounces

Specifications

Pages:Not found
Language:English
Published:May 28, 2024
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Audio
Authors:Kevin Fedarko

Rating

4.6

Based on 715 ratings

Customer Reviews

Exciting adventures

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Dangerfield
September 14, 2024

I got tired just reading about these challenging and dangerous treks through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. As contrasted with books like A Walk in the Woods, which was written mostly for laughs, this book communicates the wonder, beauty and danger of long-distance hiking with just enough humor to keep it light. Though it tends to be overwritten in places, it's a must for hikers everywhere.

Impressive, fascinating book

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Mihaela Mullin
August 19, 2024

This is an extraordinary book, captivating, beautifully written, and impossible to put down right from the start. Kevin Fedarko's journey into the grand Canyon's heart, A Walk in the Park, is an amazing, challenging adventure and an awesome read!

Awesome story. Terrible quality physical book

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Scott Kahney
June 8, 2024

I was super excited to see that Kevin Fedarko wrote a book about his Grand Canyon walk. I don’t usually buy brand new hardcover books, but I was too excited to wait for the paperback. The story, as expected, is captivating and amazing. I highly recommend it. The author tells a great story and blends adventure with natural history very well, just like in The Emerald Mile. The physical book, however, leaves much to be desired. I have never seen such a poorly constructed book in my life. The pages are very thin and many pages are miss cut. They were folded multiple times in the production process and then miss cut. When you unfold them, they stick out beyond the sides of the book. I was very disappointed with the quality of the book itself. At this point, I realize Amazon would return it, but it’s really not worth the hassle. All the words were on the pages. Unfortunately, the pages stuck out beyond the edges of the book. I’m not sure who was in charge of quality control for this. I guess I’ll place the blame on Scribner (the publisher). I added one picture as an example of the miss cut pages. This, unfortunately, occurred many times and really distracted from the quality of the book itself. I still gave the book 5 stars because most people will be looking for reviews about the story not the quality of the physical product. if this is a concern for you, however, you may want to wait for the paperback version. You’ll save money and probably get a better book.

A Grand Walk In the Park

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Winterbear
July 24, 2024

I wasn't going to write a review after finishing the book. There are many intelligently written reviews and my thoughts would've felt weak. But then I watched the National Geographic documentary Into the Grand Canyon, an excellent video guide that covers all the basic elements of the book. Maybe most importantly the people who helped Fedarko and McBride complete their trek. I recommend that this video be viewed before reading the book and watch it again afterwards. A visual picture helps capture the moments more accurately as you read the book, which is an excellent read. My experience in the canyon includes eight backpacking multi-day treks, two trips down the Colorado River and two mule rides when I was a kid. My dna is in that canyon. Fedarko captures the canyon in this book and also in his Emerald Mile book. He is an excellent writer.

Beautifully written, personal, heartfelt, entertaining and enlightening.

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M. Brandes
August 9, 2024

Who doesn't love a good story? Even better when it's a true one. The author shares the good and the bad, the exhilaration and the fear and despair of an epic journey. Along the way he recounts history and information about the original inhabitants. He is a powerful voice for the native Americans who were the first to call this magnificent place home and yet he is never preachy or at all self righteous. Quite t the opposite. My only complaint is that there weren't more of his companion's photographs. I wish I could see the footage.

A suffer fest

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Raymond M.
July 11, 2024

A story of sin and redemption. A good story if you're into the value of friends. Worth reading.

Another great book by a wonderful author!

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Rebecca Welch
August 9, 2024

This book is a laugh out loud, make you think, wonderful adventure. I loved the author's previous book. The Emerald Mile and this one is bound to win awards.

An Amazing Read and an Incredible Tale

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Pacifica movie buff
June 13, 2024

Fedarko and his hiking buddy are lucky to share their story. No better prepared than Cheryl Strayed and in many ways in worse environmental conditions. It's a testament to a generous hiking community, luck, stupidity, and perseverance. Then again, what great hiking story isn't? Very readable, well researched, and the attention to the Native American history and connection to the Canyon is admirable. You will laugh and cry. Like the author and his hiking companion, you will hate to reach the end of the journey. Good read for both serious hikers and armchair adventurers.