A Walk in the Park

By: Kevin Fedarko

Narrated by: Kevin Fedarko

Two friends, zero preparation, one dream. From the author of the beloved bestseller The Emerald Mile, a rollicking and poignant account of an epic 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 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.

©2024 Kevin Fedarko (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Beautiful Presentation

The author does an amazing job explaining his journey with its ups and downs but also includes great history, art, culture, geology, stories and more from a variety of sources and honors the legacy, history and heritage of the Indigenous Peoples whose land it is.

Thorougly appreciated and enjoyed the book

A rotating mix of backcountry descriptions, stories of challenges encountered and historical perspectives kept the book engaging and fresh. Mr. Fedarko's humility kept the book grounded in reality. I wish I was hiking in the Grand Canyon right now.

I also very much appreciated hearing the author read his own work. He is an excellent and skilled narrator. Dialogue is a very small portion of the book. His attempts to sound like the other people is his book didn't always work out so well. His best friend sounded like a 20-year-old skateboarder/pothead--which I am sure he wasn't.

I'm definitely recommending this book to a few friends.

Fantastic piece of writing on multiple levels.

Possibly the best piece of full length outdoor writing I’ve ever read. The author spends a great deal of time on the history and impact of the original inhabitants of the canyon and how the modern tourism industry has impacted them as well as the geological and other wonders of the area. Keven Fedarko writes beautifully. I’ll be reading anything I can get my hands on by him from now on.

Why was this so amazing?!

I had been told this book was good, but it was amazing. Maybe it hit home bc I love the Grand Canyon. He covers main character growth, history, side stories, geology, humor, stories of loss and stories of hope.

Learned so much about the Grand Canyon!

Really appreciated the attention the author gave to the tribes who call this land home.

Personal narrative + history of canyon & populations past & present

As a teacher (retired) working in the Four Corners region, I’d assign this book to all my students.

Such a beautiful description of the most amazing place on earth

Perfect visceral description of the most magical creation on earth. The Grand Canyon is that perfect place. This book is as close as most people can get.

While written and inspiring

I listened to this book in preparation for my own hike on the John Muir Trail, which I believe will pale in comparison with respect to the difficulty faced by thru-hikers in the Grand Canyon. I picked up a few tips, the most important of which was lighten your load. And also, learning the difference between want and need. I will take these lessons to heart as I pack my gear and food for my own trip. Thanks Kevin, for sharing this journey.

Perfect

The author drew me in, slowly and thoroughly, until the end, where I actually teared up. Amazing story, well written and well narrated. I was sorry to finish it, even though I missed a lot of sleep to get through it.

A Walk in the Park

Well done, Kevin Fedarko. A vivid and intimate account of your Grand Canyon trek. I felt like I was walking beside you. A treasure of a book. Thanks for this gem.