The author of "The Man Who Walked Through Time" and "The Complete Walker" reveals the many mountains, valleys, lakes, forests, and trails he has discovered that can provide a sense of inner peace as one walks them
Colin Fletcher was a pioneering backpacker and writer.
In 1963, Fletcher became the first to walk the length of Grand Canyon entirely within the rim of the canyon "in one go" — only second to complete the entire journey — as chronicled in his bestselling 1967 memoir The Man Who Walked Through Time. Through his influential hiker's guide, The Complete Walker, published the same year, he became a kind of "spiritual godfather" of the wilderness backpacking movement. Through successive editions, this book became the definitive work on the topic, and was christened "the Hiker's Bible" by Field and Stream magazine.
A mature Colin Fletcher collects a series of short stories. The last being my favorite. This is Colin's secret trail. My friend Steve J. knew Colin better. My attempt to write him fan mail decades ago while I was in high school to his publisher was wasted. Years later when Steve and I had a news group rapport, via email, Steve let me know that Colin "did not do fan mail". An audio version exists and I've listened to it, since I was familiar with the paper book to get a sense of the technology. I think for me and my generation, ink on paper lasted better, but I have serious sympathy with the vision impaired. How will I be when I get to that age?
Fortunately, Colin did not disappoint. This was not his last book (I have not picked up Winds for some reason; maybe I'm just not that into Africa). River: One Man's Journey Down the Colorado, Source to Sea would come out after a few years. Solid 4 stars.