‘A Walk in the Park’ with Bestselling Author Kevin Fedarko 

“A Walk in The Park” is an authentically personal account of Fedarko’s challenging and at times brutal 750-mile hike through the Grand Canyon with award-winning photographer, filmmaker and author Peter McBride.

Subtitled “The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon,” Fedarko’s foreword to his latest book reads, “Two friends, zero preparation, one dream: A 750-mile odyssey, on foot, through the heart of America’s most magnificent national park and the grandest wilderness on earth.”

Fedarko, a Flagstaff resident and former senior editor of Outside Magazine and writer for National Geographic, also authored the bestseller “The Emerald Mile.” His work has appeared in The New York Times, Esquire magazine and many other publications.  

“It’s always a pleasure to visit the Grand Canyon, but it’s a particular honor to come up at the invitation of the Grand Canyon Conservancy to speak about the wonders of one of the most iconic landscapes and one of the most magnificent National Parks in America,” he said.  

During the presentation, an audience member wondered who was most instrumental in enabling Fedarko and McBride to complete their journey? Fedarko’s answer: Rich Rudow. 

 “Rich is one of the most experienced hikers and modern-day explorers the Grand Canyon has ever seen. He also has a terrible and well-deserved reputation for taking people who are dumb enough to go into the wilderness with him and driving them into the ground. The pace that he sets, the distances that he covers and the amount of pain that he’s capable of enduring – and some of us think, enjoying – is enough to bring the rest of us reasonably close to suicide,” said Fedarko.

 Fedarko thanked Rudow for making the trek possible, along with the ability to share the story. “He was so committed to seeing us through our journey that he allowed us to accompany him and his companions on the first segment of our journey.”   

After completing his own hike, Rudow came back to the canyon to accompany Fedarko and McBride as they were undertaking a winter traverse. He joined them a third time when they hit the western Grand Canyon. 

“He came back to help us because he was so worried about us. That’s commitment and love for a national park,” said Fedarko.

 Grand Canyon resident Laura Drabant purchased a signed copy and read all 488 pages in a weekend. “It was hard to put the book down!” she said. “Kevin’s presentation was inspiring, and he is so adept at describing the unique topography, botany and geology of the canyon as well as the myriad of miseries and joys of that incredibly long hike.”

“Kevin’s book lights a path for readers, offering powerful lessons that inspire them to find their voice, amplify their impact and join us in ensuring that the canyon’s future is even more brilliant and awe-inspiring than its legendary past,” said GCC Chief Communications Officer Mindy Riesenberg. “At Grand Canyon Conservancy, we are deeply devoted to preserving the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking beauty, thriving ecosystems and timeless cultural heritage.” FBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Kevin Fedarko visits with Grand Canyon resident Laura Drabant after the presentation.