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

Kevin Fedarko

4.3(5405 readers)
A deeply moving account ever of walking the Grand Canyon, a highly dangerous, life-changing 750-mile trek.

The Grand Canyon is an American treasure, visited by more than 6 million people a year, many of whom are rendered speechless by its vast beauty, mystery, and complexity. Now, in A Walk in the Park , author Kevin Fedarko chronicles his year-long effort to find a 750-mile path along the length of the Grand Canyon, through a vertical wilderness suspended between the caprock along the rims of the abyss and the Colorado River, which flows along its bottom.

Consisting of countless cliffs and steep drops, plus immense stretches with almost no access to water, and the fact that not a single trail links its eastern doorway to its western terminus, this jewel of national parks is so challenging that when Fedarko departed fewer people had completed the journey in one single hike than had walked on the moon. The intensity of the effort required him to break his trip into several legs, each of which held staggering dangers and unexpected discoveries.

Accompanying Fedarko through this sublime yet perilous terrain is the award-winning photographer Peter McBride, who captures the stunning landscape in breathtaking photos. Together, they encounter long-lost Native American ruins, the remains of Old West prospectors’ camps, present day tribal activists, and signs that commercial tourism is impinging on the park’s remote wildness.

An epic adventure, action-packed survival tale, and a deep spiritual journey, A Walk in the Park gives us an unprecedented glimpse of the crown jewel of America’s National an iconic landscape framed by ancient rock whose contours are recognized by all, but whose secrets and treasures are known to almost no one, and whose topography encompasses some of the harshest, least explored, most awe-inspiring terrain in the world.

Publisher

Scribner

Publication Date

5/28/2024

ISBN

9781501183058

Pages

512

Categories

Life & Leisure

About the Author

Kevin Fedarko

Kevin Fedarko

Kevin Fedarko lives in northern New Mexico and works as a part-time river guide in Grand Canyon National Park. In addition to his travel narratives in Outside, where he worked as a senior editor, Fedarko’s work has appeared in Esquire, National Geographic Adventure, and other publications, and has been anthologized in The Best American Travel Writing in 2004 and 2006. Fedarko was a staff writer at Time magazine from 1991 to 1997, where his work helped garner an Overseas Press Club Award for a story on the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Fedarko earned a Masters of Philosophy in Russian history at Oxford in 1990. His 2013 release, The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon, won a NOBA- a National Outdoor Book Award.

Questions & Answers

The journey through the Grand Canyon, both literal and metaphorical, serves as a transformative experience for the authors and readers by revealing the profound impact of nature on human perspective and identity. The authors, through their own perilous hike, confront their limitations and vulnerabilities, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. They witness the canyon's vastness and grandeur, which humbles them and makes them feel insignificant yet part of a larger, timeless landscape. This journey also highlights the fragility of the natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations. For readers, the narrative offers a window into the transformative power of nature, inspiring reflection on one's place in the universe and the value of exploration and self-discovery.

The Grand Canyon's unique ecosystem and geological history reflect a complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Its ancient rock formations, diverse flora and fauna, and dramatic landscapes showcase the Earth's dynamic processes over billions of years. Human impact on this landscape ranges from the Ancestral Puebloans' sustainable use of resources to modern challenges like tourism, development, and environmental degradation.

Preservation efforts, such as the establishment of the National Park Service and recent land protections, demonstrate the importance of balancing human activities with ecological preservation. The Grand Canyon's history also teaches valuable lessons: the need for sustainable practices, the importance of respecting indigenous knowledge and rights, and the potential consequences of ignoring environmental limits. It underscores the responsibility of humans to protect and cherish the natural world for future generations.

Extreme exploration carries significant risks, including injury, death, and the potential loss of personal belongings. The authors navigate these challenges by meticulous preparation, including thorough research, gear selection, and training. They emphasize the importance of teamwork, resilience, and a deep respect for the landscape. Rewards include personal growth, a deeper understanding of the environment, and the thrill of overcoming adversity. The authors also highlight the importance of storytelling, using their experiences to educate and inspire others. Their journey through the Grand Canyon, a challenging landscape, serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for exploration and discovery.

The history of the Grand Canyon, from its earliest inhabitants to the present, profoundly influences the authors' understanding of the landscape and their place within it. The canyon's deep geological history, shaped over millions of years, is a testament to the passage of time and the ebb and flow of life. The authors are struck by the interlocked series of strata that represent the human history of the canyon, reflecting diverse cultures, technologies, and perspectives. The indigenous tribes' deep connection to the land, their traditional knowledge, and their struggle for recognition and rights resonate with the authors, highlighting the canyon's complex and layered story. This history underscores the authors' realization that the canyon is not just a natural wonder but a living, evolving landscape with a rich tapestry of human experiences and legacies. Their journey through the canyon becomes a quest to understand and appreciate this multifaceted history, and in doing so, they gain a deeper understanding of their own place within this vast and ancient landscape.

Preserving the Grand Canyon's natural beauty and cultural heritage faces challenges and opportunities. Challenges include climate change, tourism overuse, and development threats like the Escalade tramway. Opportunities lie in sustainable tourism, education, and policy changes. Individuals can contribute by reducing their carbon footprint, supporting conservation efforts, and visiting responsibly. Society's role is crucial in advocating for protected areas, funding research, and ensuring that policies prioritize long-term preservation over short-term gains. The National Park Service's recent efforts to recognize and apologize for past injustices to Native American tribes and incorporate their perspectives into park management are steps in the right direction.

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