My only regret is that I didn't read this book before going. It was fun reading it after the trip too. I think this is his first, and only, book. -- Bob Shacochis , author of Swimming in the Volcano and Easy in the Islands, put readers inside the adventurers' boats, even if they have only ever imagined the Grand Canyon or seen it in pictures an epic-sized true-life adventure tale that appeals to both the heart and the head." The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon Mens Journal has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Photo by Kenly Weills. The story telling (based on true events) was fantastic. This is my first book ever listening to, and I think listening to some of the names rather than being able to see them on paper might have helped keep track of some of the names, but that's largely unimportant. It would have been longer for better straight-line speed, and outfitted for a solo run. For the son of a dory boatman from the Golden Age of Guiding it was a joy and vindication to read of the superheroes of my childhood in print. . The ebook version of The Emerald Mile is epically BAD. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. In the midst of this crisis, the decision to launch a small wooden dory named the Emerald Mile at the head of the Grand Canyon, just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam, seemed not just odd but downright suicidal.The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man at . - NY, USA | October 4, 2021 Dear Friends and family, The event I am about to reveal to you CAN NOT be explained away as coincidence. This one is, and Fedarko's book is as inspiring as a dory itself, flying down a wild river. But we were only after the oar-powered record, not the non-motorized nor the human-powered records. In addition to his travel narratives in Outside, where he worked as a senior editor, Fedarkos 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. "The Emerald Mile" by Kevin Fedarko is now on my short list of all-time favorite books, 5 stars plus! Rudi Petschek on the river. In the midst of this crisis, the decision to launch a small wooden dory named the Emerald Mile at the head of the Grand Canyon, just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam, seemed not just odd but downright suicidal. It helps that I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time this summer. Each piece of the extensive back story is assembled as lyrically as the epoch-spanning walls of the canyon itself and as assuredly as the soaring concrete face of its dams. In the midst of this crisis, beneath the light of a full moon, a trio of river guides secretly launched a small, hand-built wooden boat, a dory named the Emerald Mile, into the Colorado just below the dams base and rocketed toward the dark chasm downstream, where the torrents of water released by the dam engineers had created a rock . Most of them couldn't conceive of living anywhere else to do what they do. But as readers will discover, it's much, much more! Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022. They floated the 277 treacherous miles along the Colorado River in a blistering 36 hours and 38 minutes. By kayaks, definitely! The authors writing style was very cumbersome and he seemed to take two or three sentences to say what could have been said more simply with one. The boat flipped in a mammoth incarnation of Crystal Rapid, but through combination of luck and honed whitewater skill, the trio was able to climb back aboard the dory in the runout to the swollen rapid, right it, and go onto set the record time. On the latter trip, the three men took turns on the oars, rowing illegally through day and night on a flood of 72,000 cubic feet per second, the largest the Grand had seen since the construction of Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s. A few key points factor in to making this a good match for me: Absolutely fascinating! As this the emerald mile the epic story of the fastest ri pdf, it ends taking place physical one of the favored ebook the emerald mile the epic story of the fastest ri pdf collections that we have. Pub Date: May 7, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4391-5985-9 Page Count: 432 Publisher: Scribner I find this impressive beyond words, especially compared to us with our 200+ trips of combined Grand Canyon experience at the time of our record run. The book provided the exploration history of the Grand Canyon, and while interesting, was a struggle to read through. Durango Telegraph"His poetic and descriptive writing should only brighten his accolades and helps his non-fiction book read like a fast-paced fiction adventureIt isn't necessary to be a history buff or whitewater expert to enjoy this story With meticulous research, notes and epilogue, Fedarko tells a satisfying story that is quite an entertaining ride." Let me start, I am not a boating person. With arguments still flying, we decided to get an expert opinion on these questions. Grand Canyon River Guide Buzz Belknap 1975 Pure Land Annette McGivney This I would come to appreciate as the novel is propelled to its crescendo. And I mourn that. Amazon has encountered an error. After reading The Emerald Mile, I now wish I would have read this book before I went. It was an amazing trip that I hope everyone has an opportunity to experience. The book may have some highlights, notes, underlined pages. This lost treasure still evokes wonder in what lies in Glen Canyonthe 170-mile natural paradise legendary for its secret grottoes, waterfalls, beautiful ravines and isolated side canyons like Hidden Passage before it was flooded by Lake Powell upon the completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. There is also a lot of information about dams and the environmental aspect of building them. .orange-text-color {font-weight:bold; color: #FE971E;}Enjoy features only possible in digital start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more. Bens recovery from his Lava experience, solo in the dark in mid-winter, makes his feat infinitely more impressive. A really brilliant work that encompasses both the natural and man-made history on the Colorado river. Format: Paperback Publisher: Scribner favorite Add to wishlist , as the natural wonder of which he writes the books goes beyond your typical river porn, offering a wide appeal to everyone from history buffs and the Popular Mechanics set to environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts. Best book I've read in a long time. I have no doubt it will become an instant classic, a timeless chronicle of what can still be legitimately called the American spirit." The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man . We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. I knew from a friend's recommendation that this book would be exciting, and it was. The unprecedented weather, the inner workings of a dam, and how threatening it was to downstream USA. No other river on earth has ever cut canyons to rival those of the Colorado. It makes me want to go back again. And then God gave me a sign. One of the best non-fiction books Ive had the privilege of reading. Book has great history lessons as well. The author personally knew most of the "characters" that appear in this well researched, beautifully written, appropriately humorous expose on all things Grand Canyon. Refresh and try again. Did he survive? .orange-text-color {color: #FE971E;} Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration. There was a problem loading your book clubs. As soon as fluctuations gave way to a steady flow, Kenton called Wally and told him the time had come to do it. The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko Summary: The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko is a novel about the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. In the midst of this crisis, the decision to launch a small wooden dory named "The Emerald Mile" at the head of the Grand Canyon, just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam, seemed not just odd, but downright suicidal. Thanks for giving me a mention in your review. In the midst of this crisis, the decision to launch a small wooden dory named "The Emerald Mile" at the head of the Grand Canyon, just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam, seemed not just odd, but downright suicidal. Now a resident of Nevada City, California, the 82-year-old river guide whos been down the Grand Canyon a whopping 94 times, shared his thoughts on the recent events over email. The flood caused two states of crises for two groups of people fundamentally at odds with each other - the engineers at Glen Canyon Dam and the river runners in the Grand Canyon. We caught up with Rudi Petschek, the last surviving member of the three-man crew which set the previous speed record. For instance, the three of us took turns at the oars, while paddlers are on their own the whole way. It's not really a story just about the fastest ride, which is a small part of the book. I didnt expect it to be so dense looking! Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2022. I had no idea all that was happening in the '80's. Boulder Weekly"Powerful and poetic passages put readers inside the adventurers' boats, even if they have only ever imagined the Grand Canyon or seen it in pictures an epic-sized true-life adventure tale that appeals to both the heart and the head." A wonderful, satisfying read, and a great job in getting this tale of camaraderie, adventure and courage - beauty and the river culture down on paper in such a though well researched way. In fact, it would not be overblown to say The Emerald Mile deserved a spot on the bookshelf alongside such enduring classics as Cadillac Desert, Desert Solitaire and Encounters with the Archdruid. Where did you come from? It's also a rare and fascinating glimpse into what could have been one of our nation's biggest environmental disasters everthe failure of the Glen Canyon Dam. Worthwhile. In 1983, following a devastating flood that led to one of the most disastrous dam wreckages in history, a trio of rafters launched a small wooden dory named The Emerald Mile just 15 miles from the failed Glen Canyon Dam. This one is, and Fedarkos book is as inspiring as a dory itself, flying down a wild river. The story of this epic run became widely known through Kevin Fedarkos 2013 book also called The Emerald Mile, which relied heavily on interviews conducted with Petschek. Especially some of the descriptions of the river and its currents, eddies and rapids. So fascinating, was such a great audio book! So we gave up. Safe and Secure Mailer. Well-told, deeply-researched, engaging to read book. Yet, I found myself learning details or stories that I had not heard as the flood was taking place. Firstly, such a project would require sponsorship (which Kenton recognized) and long-term planning. The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon Accessory - June 3, 2015 by Kevin Fedarko(Author) 4.8 out of 5 stars1,985 ratings 4.4 on Goodreads 9,246 ratings Editors' pickBest Nonfiction See all formats and editions Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. "The Emerald Mile" by Kevin Fedarko is now on my short list of all-time favorite books, 5 stars plus! The article was originally published on Canoe & Kayak. Grua resting in the Emerald Mile. This is almost a perfect book it combines the story of an event (a speed-run through the Grand Canyon in a dory) and backstory, both near and old in an extremely readable way. He absolutely devoured this book. I had wanted to pay my respects to Kenton Grua and had resolved my self that I would not. Can an adventure story be as beautiful as it is heart-stopping and exciting? Can an adventure story be as beautiful as it is heart-stopping and exciting? In addition to his travel narratives in Outside, where he worked as a senior editor, Fedarkos 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. by Scribner. Can an adventure story be as beautiful as it is heart-stopping and exciting? We are sorry. On the other hand, the physical demands on a record-breaking kayaker on a continuous 277 mile run through Grand Canyon are such that they require a top-rated athlete in peak condition performing at 100 percent. Learn how your comment data is processed. Lose this wild place America, and you will lose a big chunk of your soul. This book is built around a record human-powered speed run in a wooden boat through the Grand Canyon. One of the best I've seen lately. Your email address will not be published. *Unsubscribe Anytime See Our Privacy Policy. This was a book that told the story of an incredible 36 hours by backing up and providing as much context as humanly possible to make it into the length of a novel. The Emerald Mile $19.99 Qty: Quantity in Cart: None Required reading for 12th grade English elective, River and Rock In the winter of 1983, the largest El Nino event on record, a series of superstorms, battered the West. I was further interested when the group pulled up on the beach. In the midst of this crisis, the decision to launch a small wooden dory named "The Emerald Mile" at the head of the Grand Canyon, just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam, seemed not just odd, but downright suicidal. So I re-engagedand what a story it has to tell. It is a dramatized documentary of the personalities among the renegade dory-drivers, the law-abiding dam-builders and the adventurers along the Grand Canyon. The saga of The Emerald Mile is a thrilling adventure, as well as a magisterial portrait of the hidden kingdom of white water at the bottom of the greatest river canyon on earth. This past August 2018, I had the great privilege to take a 5 day journey down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. This is terrific narrative nonfiction. Discover why The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko is such a great book to read. Then in 83, again opportunity, this time to set the record to where the oar-powered record would be near unreachable. A good story but way too much detail. Granted, the waters were coming out of the dam at 94,000 cfs rather than 6-8,000 cfs but can't you drown in a bathtub? This was a trip of a lifetime for this decidedly no camping, I need to sleep in a bed at night, no discomfort, but adventurous soul, middle-aged lady. Specifically, this book is about the 1983 flood that washed down the Colorado Basin into Lake Powell, forcing a massive, unprecedented flood down the Colorado River and through Grand Canyon. I purposefully avoided reading much about the trip and didn't look at videos or pictures before I went because I wanted everything to be a surprise. Some of it, like the struggle for protection of the grand canyon itself and how it almost got turned into a reservoir, was very cool and helped provide context for the attitude of the people who were sort of the spiritual forefathers to the rafting guides. Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt, The book may have minor cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, minor sunburn, minor water damage, minor bent. Well, it really is about securing the record, but I agree that on both EM runs the experience was profoundly bonding among the participants. .orange-text-color {font-weight:bold; color: #FE971E;}View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look. The Emerald Mile is so much more than the epic tale of the 1983 dory speed run through the Grand Canyon, though that adventure is brilliantly told. Wed love your help. it was in a wooden dory, with the legendary boatman Kenton Grua, "The Factor" as he was known, and the character at the center of this book. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included . The popular highlights below are some of the most common ones Kindle readers have saved. I mused about the majestic Colorado on steroids taking pity on this little nutshell of a boat audaciously zooming through Grand Canyon in a day and a half. Am a water engineer, and know what makes a 20 foot standing wave. Highly recommend. And I had no idea we narrowly missed what would have been probably the greatest national disaster of the almost failing of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1983. Last June, I went and listened as Kevin Fedarko gave us a presentation and overview of the Emerald Mile. So I asked him if he knew Kenton Grua. 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. The Emerald Mile ties together a clear line through the tumult of the high water 1983 flood on the Colorado River of a dorys speed run through the Grand Canyon. While some visitors undertake back-country hikes, most people are content to enjoy the views from the South Rim, and do not venture much below the rim. Infinitely more where is the emerald mile dory but we were only after the oar-powered record, the. Which is a small part of the river and its currents, eddies and rapids everyone has an opportunity experience. 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