UT public radio interview with author/GC thru-hiker Kevin Fedarko

fossana

fossana

Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2018
Messages
983
RadioWest just interviewed Kevin Fedarko, author of the excellent Emerald Mile, on his recently published book, A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon, about hiking the entire 760 mile length of the Grand Canyon in bumbling style over the course of a year with National Geographic photographer, Pete McBride. I didn't care for Colin Fletcher's book on his 1963 GC National Park thru-hike, but I have higher hopes for Fedarko's with his writing style and his focus on conservation.

Context: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/grand-canyon-hike-peter-mcbride-kevin-fedarko
 
Sounds like it could be an interesting book, thanks for mentioning it
 
I just read the excerpt from Outside last week. The excerpt goes into some detail about the very start of the journey and sounds very similar to the beginning of Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. (made into a movie recently with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, which was OK - the book is a must-read for adventurers or those interested in the history of the AT IMHO) I wonder if the names are not merely coincidental in their similarities.

Ironically, I'd read about this trip from Pete's perspective a few years ago and somehow assumed he was a much better prepared and seasoned outdoorsman.
 
ImNotDedYet said:
Ironically, I'd read about this trip from Pete's perspective a few years ago and somehow assumed he was a much better prepared and seasoned outdoorsman.
Click to expand...
I listened to ~5 hours of the book on a MTB ride yesterday. Fedarko states that McBride is a bit of a huckster in pitching wild story ideas to sponsors. They were chronically underprepared and frequently had to bail. I'd be curious to hear to hear the perspective of Rich Rudow and team, who generously let Fedarko and McBride tag along for the first part of the Rudow team's self-supported journey to do a high traverse of the Grand Canyon in a single push. Rudow and Chris Atwood went on to finish it.
 
fossana said:
I listened to ~5 hours of the book on a MTB ride yesterday. Fedarko states that McBride is a bit of a huckster in pitching wild story ideas to sponsors. They were chronically underprepared and frequently had to bail. I'd be curious to hear to hear the perspective of Rich Rudow and team, who generously let Fedarko and McBride tag along for the first part of the Rudow team's self-supported journey to do a high traverse of the Grand Canyon in a single push. Rudow and Chris Atwood went on to finish it.
Click to expand...

The Outside magazine excerpt talks about the pair meeting Rich and his team, and their kind of "shock" at what they were planning on lugging, and their arrogance in thinking they could take equipment shortcuts, etc. It's kind of humorous, yet kind of sad at the same time.
 
Alot out there hiking are the same...I can do that attitude with no experience and subpar equipment and knowledge
 
Just finished listening; it was the perfect accompaniment to Sat. afternoon gardening. I really enjoyed this and thank you, @fossana, for the info. The whole thing was very interesting, and I found especially compelling the part near the end about taking Native American land to create the park. It reminded me of the Glacier NP episode of LIllian Cunningham's excellent podcast Field Trip.
 
I finished the book, and watched the accompanying NatGeo documentary, Into the Canyon, at my neighbor's. They provided complimentary takes on the undertaking.
 
fossana said:
I finished the book, and watched the accompanying NatGeo documentary, Into the Canyon, at my neighbor's. They provided complimentary takes on the undertaking.
Click to expand...
I also read the book. It was an interesting read but I don't for a minute believe they were as clueless as they make themselves out to be. There's a reason that the transect has been done so few times.
 
AWR said:
I also read the book. It was an interesting read but I don't for a minute believe they were as clueless as they make themselves out to be. There's a reason that the transect has been done so few times.
Click to expand...
On the bulk of that traverse, in particular on the navigationally challenging sections, they were guided by Rich Rudow and friends. They also relied on that same crew for their pack shakedown. In the book Fedarko describes showing up for the first leg with a giant Home Depot tarp instead of the ultralight tent footprints their sponsor provided. Not sure how you get more noob than that.
 
Last edited:
fossana said:
RadioWest just interviewed Kevin Fedarko, author of the excellent Emerald Mile, on his recently published book, A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon, about hiking the entire 760 mile length of the Grand Canyon in bumbling style over the course of a year with National Geographic photographer, Pete McBride. I didn't care for Colin Fletcher's book on his 1963 GC National Park thru-hike, but I have higher hopes for Fedarko's with his writing style and his focus on conservation.

Context: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/grand-canyon-hike-peter-mcbride-kevin-fedarko
Click to expand...
Th Nat Geo film about this showed some of th difficulties…it was well edited and an enjoyable watch.
 
fossana said:
On the bulk of that traverse, in particular on the navigationally challenging sections, they were guided by Rich Rudow and friends. They also relied on that same crew for their pack shakedown. In the book Fedarko describes showing up for the first leg with a giant Home Depot tarp instead of the ultralight tent footprints their sponsor provided. Not sure how you get more noob than that.
Click to expand...
 
fossana said:
On the bulk of that traverse, in particular on the navigationally challenging sections, they were guided by Rich Rudow and friends. They also relied on that same crew for their pack shakedown. In the book Fedarko describes showing up for the first leg with a giant Home Depot tarp instead of the ultralight tent footprints their sponsor provided. Not sure how you get more noob than that.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I read the book. Also saw the movie. I think they exaggerated their incompetence. They for sure weren't capable of doing the trek by themselves, but they weren't complete "noobs". Just my opinion.
 
Really enjoyed the scenery in the Nat Geo film........They for sure wandered through some real exposed terrain. Quite enjoyed the connection those two have. I have a couple of friends (Who are really family after 30 years of exploring together) where we have that same kind of deep connection. Great to see those kinds of friendships!
 
Just finished listening to the audiobook (free on my library's Libby app). I loved it! So many interesting components: the trek itself and all the challenges they experienced plus all the help they were generously given, their friendship, Fedarko's love and appreciation for his dad, conservation issues, and of course the canyon's remarkable geology, flora, and fauna. Perhaps most meaningful to me were the many descriptions of the Havasupai and other native peoples, including their treatment over time and the tension between maintaining sacred spaces and finding ways to earn a living. Thanks, @fossana, for bringing the book to my attention. It will stay with me for a long time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top