Each year, over six million people visit Grand Canyon National Park, but most people’s visits are brief and they only see a small part of this national wonder, mostly from the vantage point of one of the rims. There is a small group of individuals who hike more in depth parts of the canyon, but since it can be a grueling experience it is not for everyone. If one were to attempt a traverse of the entire canyon, it would total more than 750 miles, and typically require years of preparation and training. 

In 2014, Kevin Fedarko’s best friend, National Geographic photographer Peter McBride, proposed they hike the entire length of the Grand Canyon, as a sectional traverse.  The one hundredth anniversary of the Grand Canyon was coming up, in 2016, and McBride billed the project as a way of creating the capstone story of the Grand Canyon, in which they would help National Geographic make others aware of the beauty of this public land and the threats to it. They would need time to chronicle and document, with Fedarko writing and McBride photographing; hence doing it in sections.

Fedarko had previous experience with the canyon, but it was in the form of rafting on the Colorado River, not hiking. Neither man knew anything about hiking, but McBride assured him they could simply do the hike “off the couch.” He said they would build up their stamina on the trail and there would be no need to train in advance. From Fedarko’s past experience working with McBride on National Geographic assignments he knew things did not normally go as planned, but McBride has a way of convincing people of things, and in the end Fedarko agreed to go.

Soon the pair find themselves tagging along on the first segment of another group’s epic continuous hike through the canyon. Misadventure ensues and very quickly the pair begin to understand they are in over their heads, but instead of admitting defeat, what develops is a slow motion collapse, where each is soon fighting for survival.   

From the perspective of someone who has never seen the Grand Canyon, I thought this book did an excellent job describing the canyon and its landscape. I enjoyed reading about the adventure of the two friends and especially enjoyed the many elements covered by the book –  various branches of science as it relates to the Grand Canyon (geology, archaeology, biology, botany, etc.); the history of the canyon; how and why the Grand Canyon National Park was created; information about the area’s indigenous people; Fedarko’s experience with the Colorado River; the slot canyons; what the Grand Canyon National Park is like today; and what the Canyon means to Fedarko. 

In fact, the author is so comprehensive in his coverage, it can be hard to describe the book and its premise to others. However, all the detail creates a beautiful portrait of a special place. It seems wild to me that the two men thought they would be able to hike, even a section, of the Grand Canyon without properly preparing, but it makes for a fun, entertaining read. 

Review written by: Jeana Gockley, Joplin Public Library Director

Find the book in the catalog.