Fedarko Explores the Grand Canyon Adventure in New Book

The Sedona Public Library is set to host a fundraiser, “An Evening with Kevin Fedarko,” on Saturday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Fedarko will share insights from his remarkable journey of hiking the Grand Canyon with National Geographic photographer Peter McBride over 75 days, spread across 14 months.

VIP ticket holders will gain exclusive access to a screening of McBride’s documentary “Into the Canyon” the following week at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, enhancing the event’s appeal.

Fedarko describes the expedition as an arduous trek through a wilderness lacking a connecting trail across the canyon. His reflections reveal the disparity between the canyon’s iconic status and its hidden secrets, often overlooked by the millions who visit the South Rim each year.

He recalls a critical early moment in their journey when an ill-prepared decision dashed their hopes. “We were so ill-prepared and out of shape that the canyon took less than five days to break us in half,” Fedarko explained. Their struggle highlighted the harsh reality of the terrain, culminating in an unexpected retreat from their ambitious adventure.

Upon returning to Flagstaff to recuperate, Fedarko gained invaluable perspectives on the protection of national parks. “We assume that because they’re part of the national park system, there’s nothing that needs to be done,” he noted, warning that development threats loom over these treasured landscapes.

Fedarko emphasized the juxtaposition of untouched wilderness and encroaching commercial interests. He pointed to noise disturbances from helicopter tours and the failed Grand Canyon Escalade project as exemplars of this conflict. Understanding local American Indian tribes’ relationships to the land is vital, he stressed.

His journey unveiled complex cultural narratives, long overlooked in the park’s history. Fedarko reflected on the evicted tribes and the erasure of their stories from the landscape’s identity. “The knowledge that any journey through a landscape like this is never complete” resonates as a central theme in his experiences.

“A Walk in the Park,” Fedarko’s latest book, follows his previous work “The Emerald Mile.” He conveys the magnitude and intricacies of the Grand Canyon, acknowledging that expertise in such a vast landscape remains an elusive challenge.

Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director at the Sedona Public Library, remarked on the significance of local access to such a famed natural wonder. “Many have lived their whole life without visiting the Grand Canyon,” she noted, emphasizing the event’s potential to inspire both familiar and new explorers.

A book sale and signing will follow Fedarko’s presentation. General admission tickets are priced at $45, or two for $75, while VIP access is available for $100 per person. Tickets can be purchased at sedonalibrary.org. For inquiries, contact Mackler at (928) 282-7714 ext. 8125.