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. Fedarko earned a Masters of Philosophy in Russian history at Oxford in 1990. .orange-text-color {color: #FE971E;} Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration. The unprecedented weather, the inner workings of a dam, and how threatening it was to downstream USA. I could picture the landscape, the rapids, the boats and remember the feeling of being free from the outside world for just a little bit, as I read. It's that goodFedarko will have you posied on the edge of your seat like a high-sider at in Lava Falls." The story of this epic run became widely known through Kevin Fedarko's 2013 book also called The Emerald Mile, which relied heavily on interviews conducted with Petschek. No, no such dory exists, but Kenton did have plans for such a boat. Learn how your comment data is processed. To float, to drift, savoring the pulse of the river on its odyssey through the canyon, and above all, to postpone the unwelcome and . finished it and I am exhausted - what a beautifully crafted story, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2017, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2014, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2015, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2014, Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2020, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Scribner; Reprint edition (July 1, 2014). Di Bonaventura Pics adds Emerald Mile to its extensive development slate. Mountain magazine"The book is at its heart an engrossing meditation on the eternal struggle between man and nature." This book announces Fedarko as a major writing talent and at last sets forth the full story of an American legend--the legend of The Emerald Mile . One of the best I've seen lately. Fedarko is a great writer (I've enjoyed his pieces in Outside for years), and he puts the speed run in context with the Grand Canyon's history, geology and hydrology, river-running culture, and the dam-building era. So we gave up. With arguments still flying, we decided to get an expert opinion on these questions. The article was originally published on Canoe & Kayak. Enjoy!! Wasnt that like comparing apples and oranges, or, as river historian Tom Martin put it in a comment on our website, apples and pasta? 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. , 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." WOW, best book I've read this year (Of course, it is only Jan. 12th), Unlike the record-chasing canyon run recounted in. 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. Can an adventure story be as beautiful as it is heart-stopping and exciting? First, high praise for Kevin Fedarko! 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. 860 likes. Safe and Secure Mailer. Wow, this was Let me start, I am not a boating person. So fascinating, was such a great audio book! The goal was to nail the all-time record for the fastest boat ever propelledby oar, by motor, or by the grace of God himselfdown the entire length . 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. By kayaks, definitely! Also, I have issues with people taking extreme risks just to set a record but that doesnt affect the quality of the book. I only gave it four stars because the font was rather small for these old, tired eyes. Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022. We see Dorys all the time here in Flagstaff, but this one is special, it's the Emerald Mile, the boat used by Kenton Grua (who was also the first person to walk the entire length of Grand Canyon), Rudi Petschek and Steve Reynolds in 1983 to make the historic "speed run" through the Grand Canyon. In 1983, as we turned the last corner into the open Lake Mead, I remember, as I sat on the EMs stern seat, tears coming to my eyes as a lump lodged in my throat. 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. It took me a while to understand the author was painting a broad picture of the background leading up to the main event, and after my initial impatience to get to the adventure, began to really enjoy Just finished it and I am exhausted - what a beautifully crafted story. It appealed to two of my interests: engineering, with its descriptions of how the personnel at the Glen Canyon Dam dealt with the huge water inflows from the El Nino event and the damage caused to the spillways, and whitewater rafting, with its descriptions of the fastest ride and how rafting companies, their customers, and the river rangers dealt with the dang. Worthwhile. I want to rate this book higher - the subject matter is exactly what I want to be reading all the time, but I had a couple issues with the book. If you are interested in the Colorado Rive and the Grand Canyon, then I highly recommend it. That is not at all accurate. 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. Whats one of the best memories from your speed runs? The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man at the oars, who intended to use this flood as a kind of hydraulic sling-shot. The history of Crystal Rapid is detailed and very appropriate to prepare us for the ride ahead. I really enjoyed that book, especially Kevins deep dive on Glen Canyon Dam and Crystal Rapid. I purchased my copy that nightbut it has sit dormant on a shelf until a second friend told me how good it was. 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. Your non-motorized record, which lasted more than 30 years, has been broken twice in three days. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man . I argued that if he were to follow this plan it would be more realistic for him to set 30 hours as a goal, but he remained adamant about a sub-24 hour run. I didnt expect it to be so dense looking! The Emerald Mile Quotes Showing 1-30 of 34. Thats awesome. Your email address will not be published. I reread some passages just to revel in the prose. In his new book The Emerald Mile - the name of the wooden dory that made the trip - Kevin Ferdarko chronicles their record-breaking and illegal run though the canyon. That these came as a bonus and lasted a third of a century was truly unexpected. He had Rick Parsons and Henry Dhieux speak about putting up those plywood flash boards that held off the flood at Glen Canyon Dam in 1983 while the Bureau of Reclamation considered their options to contain and control the Colorado River. Do you think a team in such craft could challenge the Emerald Miles time at normal flows or on a 40,000 cfs pulse flow? We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Did he survive? The popular highlights below are some of the most common ones Kindle readers have saved. Instead of finding Kenton he found me on the Colorado River in the Redwall Cavern. Just barely. I have no doubt it will become an instant classic, a timeless chronicle of what can still be legitimately called the American spirit." Let us know whats wrong with this preview of, Published He writes so vividly that your favorite reading chair becomes a spray-soaked perch on a bucking boat hit hard by a river running high and fast." Wed love your help. Still, in this case, I remain super-skeptical. This I would come to appreciate as the novel is propelled to its crescendo. To float, to drift, savoring the pulse of the river on its odyssey through the canyon, and above all, to postpone the unwelcome and distinctly unpleasant moment when one is forced to reemerge and reenter the world beyond the rim-that is the paramount goal., But they have preserved an aspect of the American persona that is uniquely vital to the health of this republic. So much history and info! The Emerald Mile crews that set the 1980 and 1983 records were, although very experienced in Grand Canyon, just journeymen commercial river guides attempting our speed run during a break in our commercial boating schedule. Kevins book should be required reading for anyone taking a Colorado River trip. I picked up this book for my teenage son while my husband and I visited the Grand Canyon. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the . Not everyone will want to invest the time necessary to fully appreciate this exquisite work of narrative nonfiction. We could intermittently relax our bodies because we took turns rowing, but not our minds because of the extreme turbulence. 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. One of the most enthralling books I have read in a long time. 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 . The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon It would have been longer for better straight-line speed, and outfitted for a solo run. The book provided the exploration history of the Grand Canyon, and while interesting, was a struggle to read through. This is a fantastic combination of storytelling and research. So much history and info! Mens Journal has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. 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. At first it just seems like it's about some dudes trying to break a speed record for running a river, but it turns out to be a history of the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon, the Glen Canyon dam, conservation and then the adventure aspect of running the Colorado in flood stage. "if there is a point to being in the canyon, it is not to rush but to linger, suspended in a blue-and-amber haze of in-between-ness, for as long as one possibly can. But once I started reading I was enamored by the stories of the history of the canyon and those that experienced and changed it over the years. I have an ongoing admiration for the Rigg brothers, who in 1951 set their 53-hour record (scouting only Lava Falls; no Crystal then, no night rowing) with a cumulative experience of only three trips total between the two of them. I recently went on a Grand Canyon river rafting adventure. Reviving the Emerald Mile Kevin Fedarko's new book takes readers on the fastest Colorado River boat run By Stephanie Riesco - May 9, 2013 Ten years ago, right before Kevin Fedarko's first encounter with the watery force that barrels through the Grand Canyon, he found himself enraptured by the humble riverboat known as the dory. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man at the oars, who intended to use this flood as a kind of hydraulic sling-shot. At first it just intrigued me with its promise of crazy adventure, but once started, I was hooked on the whole, incredible story. It is spiritual and there is no better place to connect with God than the Grand Canyon. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Almost cancelled the trip as a result. That trip was something I will never forget. Plans were limited to the highest releases that occurred regularly each summer. What I didn't expect was the beauty and depth of the writing. And read the book first. The book provided the exploration history of the Grand Canyon, and while interesting, was a struggle to read through. Arrives by Thu, Sep 22 Buy The Emerald Mile : The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon (Hardcover) at Walmart.com There were two equally important factors that determined our attempts. 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. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the . Three days later as we approached the Redwall Cavern . Lol, just kidding (barely). There is a Kindle version on Amazon for The Emerald Mile. 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. It's that goodFedarko will have you posied on the edge of your seat like a high-sider at in Lava Falls." Experience a 3 to 7 day expedition filled with whitewater excitement, spectacular waterfalls waterfalls and starry nights. I've loaned Emerald Mile to my brother, but it's a keeper! I tried in vain, at that moment, to imagine Powells incredulity about the time we had just set, as I was overcome by a feeling of deep humility that the powerful river looked favorably upon this little boat, slapped it around a bit just to put things in their proper perspective, then allowing it through to complete its mission. Firstly, such a project would require sponsorship (which Kenton recognized) and long-term planning. For me, because I grew up in Page, Arizona and witnessed this great event, the story starts off a little slowbecause I had already lived that part. Emerald Mile : the Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon Item Length: 8.4in. I deviated from the book to look up the facts of the events of the time periods. Some of the information about the specifics of how the dam works I could've done without. Please try again. Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2022. They floated the 277 treacherous miles along the Colorado River in a blistering 36 hours and 38 minutes. Photo by Kenly Weills. On the engineering side, the rapid and uncontrolled rise of Lake Powell put the Dam at risk of catastrophic failure. I think this is his first, and only, book. This one is, and Fedarko's book is as inspiring as a dory itself, flying down a wild river. Then you spit into your palms and twirl your oar blades to confirm that theyre rotating smoothly in the locks. This book is a kind of love letter to the Colorado River and its Grand Canyon. The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon Paperback - July 1, 2014 by Kevin Fedarko (Author) 1,998 ratings 4.4 on Goodreads 9,369 ratings Editors' pick Best Nonfiction See all formats and editions Kindle $14.99 Read with Our Free App Hardcover There is also a lot of information about dams and the environmental aspect of building them. I knew almost nothing about the Grand Canyon or the Colorado River watershed when I picked up this book, now Im swimming in information and loving it! Both your 1983 descent and Ben Orkins recent run required overcoming some pretty intense swims to go on and set the record. But once I started reading I was enamored by the stories of the history of the canyon and those that experienced and changed it over the years. Please try again. 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. Last June, I went and listened as Kevin Fedarko gave us a presentation and overview of the Emerald Mile. Can an adventure story be as beautiful as it is heart-stopping and exciting? 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