A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon

Kevin Fedarko and photographer Pete McBride attempted a 750-mile thru-hike along the length of the Grand Canyon, navigating a landscape without a continuous trail. This account details their struggle against extreme dehydration, 120-degree heat, and the physical toll of traversing the Redwall limestone and Bright Angel Shale layers. Beyond the physical ordeal, Fedarko documents the ecological stress caused by increased helicopter traffic and commercial development proposals. He examines the history of the eleven Indigenous tribes connected to the canyon and the environmental impact of dam operations on the Colorado River’s silt levels.

Outdoorsmen and conservationists read this book to understand the logistical realities of high-stakes wilderness navigation and the specific geological challenges of the American Southwest. It appeals to those interested in the tension between national park tourism and environmental preservation. Readers finish the book with a technical perspective on the canyon’s interior topography and a clearer view of the political conflicts surrounding land management and Indigenous territory rights in Arizona's backcountry.