I purposefully avoided reading much about the trip and didn't look at videos or pictures before I went because I wanted everything to be a surprise. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. 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. Once I get my mind into that mode, I then try to make myself believe that this is only my second or third trip, and my admiration for Bob and Jim Rigg goes up another notch. First, high praise for Kevin Fedarko! Expecting a mild adventure read, I ordered this book based on some comments in the Outside book club Facebook group. 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. Most of them couldn't conceive of living anywhere else to do what they do. The book may have some highlights, notes, underlined pages. So it is a great boon of Fedarko's book that he tells the story of the dam, and of the engineers and techinicians who built it with as much respect and homage as he gives to the dorymen." ${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}. The flood caused two states of crises for two groups of people fundamentally at odds with each other - the engineers at Glen Canyon Dam and the river runners in the Grand Canyon. Firstly, such a project would require sponsorship (which Kenton recognized) and long-term planning. But as readers will discover, it's much, much more! 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. Last June, I went and listened as Kevin Fedarko gave us a presentation and overview of the Emerald Mile. And he motioned, with his head, towards the river. 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 . And sure enough hanging from the ceilingretired the Emerald Mile!. In the latest episode of "The Dirtbag Diaries," Brendan Leonard of Semi-rad.com explores the story of how 'The Emerald Mile' became a book. Well-told, deeply-researched, engaging to re. Documents the 1983 Colorado River flood that threatened the region with a catastrophic dam failure and prompted oarsman Kenton Grua's near-suicidal effort to navigate the turbulent waters of the Emerald Mile on a small wooden dory to achieve a world speed record Please try again. Let me count the ways I love this book! Hi! A superbly written, well-researched and wonderful book. One of the most enthralling books I have read in a long time. In the midst of all this chaos, three river rafting guides took a dory and . Rapid snowmelt in June of 1983 created the highest water in the Grand Canyon in 25 years, the likes of which hadn't been experienced since before Glen Canyon Dam was built. When my wife and I arrived in Flagstaff we went to Oars Grand Canyon Dories. Where did you come from? 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. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. It's not really a story just about the fastest ride, which is a small part of the book. Then in 1980 the Bureau achieved its ill-timed goal of filling both reservoirs. We were the first raft of the season on the back of high spring rains (but far less than The Emerald Mile had to cope with) and we camped out taking 10 days Holiday of a lifetime! 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 . Most of them couldn't conceive of living anywhere else to do what they do. 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. 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. I sensed he was welling up under is sunglasses. The night sky is so much better than anything I could have imagined. Di Bonaventura Pics adds Emerald Mile to its extensive development slate. Let us know whats wrong with this preview of, Published The two back-to-back speed records set in the Grand Canyon last week sparked off a series of debates across social media and in river runners living rooms: Could racing through such a beautiful place ever be justified? The fascinating characters are pretty much universally attached to this river and canyon at the hip. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included . I live in Page, Arizonaand was in High School during these eventsso I watched it all happen and took my first Whitewater rafting trip in 1985 with Western River Expeditions. Not everyone will want to invest the time necessary to fully appreciate this exquisite work of narrative nonfiction. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man at . So I re-engagedand what a story it has to tell. It's also a rare and fascinating glimpse into what could have been one of our nation's biggest environmental disasters everthe failure of the Glen Canyon Dam. My expectation based on the title, the cover and the synopsis I read was that it would be an exciting, adventure read. For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! Enjoy!! In the spring of 1983, massive flooding along the l Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022. No doubt the drama of that ride is exciting, but the book also provides a deep look into the discovery of the Grand Canyon, the origins of the Glen Canyon Dam & the Hoover Dam, the graceful wooden dory, and how the famous Colorado river silt changed the landscape of Southern California including the creation of the Salton Sea. The author personally knew most of the "characters" that appear in this well researched, beautifully written, appropriately humorous expose on all things Grand Canyon. Last June, I went and listened as Kevin Fedarko gave us a presentation and overview of the Emerald Mile. So you see, the challenges are opposite, except for overall endurance which is common to both. Once the book was talking about present day activities the pace picked up and the writing style became more casual. I also told him that I had intended to pay my respects at Grua's grave but could not find it. Boulder Weekly"Powerful and poetic passages put readers inside the adventurers' boats, even if they have only ever imagined the Grand Canyon or seen it in pictures an epic-sized true-life adventure tale that appeals to both the heart and the head." So I asked him if he knew Kenton Grua. This book was hard to put down. 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 . Kevin Fedarko lives in northern New Mexico and works as a part-time river guide in Grand Canyon National Park. Fedarko has supplied astonishing facts, lyrical, magical atmosphere, and extreme sports all woven into a witty and far-reaching history. Book has great history lessons as well. Now a resident of. The challenges faced by kayakers attempting a Grand Canyon speed run are, for the most part, entirely different from those faced by an oar-powered row boat, so much so that it becomes a stretch to compare the two (apples and oranges). Reading this book is a great escape to what feels like a simpler time with the high drama of a dam that may fail and river guides who may not survive a stunt that only those who run rivers would ever conceive of undertaking. Yet, I found myself learning details or stories that I had not heard as the flood was taking place. From one of Outside magazines Literary All-Stars comes the thrilling true tale of the fastest boat ride ever, down the entire length of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, during the legendary flood of 1983.In the spring of 1983, massive flooding along the length of the Colorado River confronted a team of engineers at the Glen Canyon Dam with an unprecedented emergency that may have resulted in the most catastrophic dam failure in history. Emerald Mile : the Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon Item Length: 8.4in. 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. The flood Let me count the ways I love this book! . .orange-text-color {color: #FE971E;} Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration. My only regret is that I didn't read this book before going. "Kevin Fedarko's new brilliant work is the story about wilderness and the American mind, albeit an American mind juiced on Class V adrenaline Perhaps because we sympathize so strongly with the characters of The Emerald Mile--thanks in no small part to Fedarko's flowing prose--you'll feel yourself lurching along with them on wooden boats, in ocher-hued canyons, beneath cobalt skies, into the frenzied thrashings of the Colorado river as the very lanscape of the West attempts to choke it." The first few chapters stumble a bit but once you get to the beginning of Powell's adventure, Fedarko has found his stride. Kevin Fedarko lives in northern New Mexico and works as a part-time river guide in Grand Canyon National Park. -- Hampton Sides , editor-at-large at Outside magazine and author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers, lives in northern New Mexico and works as a part-time river guide in Grand Canyon National Park. 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 . He juxtaposes the Glen Canyon Dam engineers' race to avoid catastrophic failures during the huge 1983 spring runoff with what was happen. Orkins Lava flip and recovery has every bit of the drama and suspense of the Emerald Miles Crystal episode in 83. 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). Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. For more information please read our. But Reality check: many (though by no means all) of Kentons hair-brained ideas turned out to be not only feasible but also practical. The Emerald Mile. 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. 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. 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. At first it just intrigued me with its promise of crazy adventure, but once started, I was hooked on the whole, incredible story. And even if your acquaintance with the two is fleeting (as is mine), you may want to read this thorough account of a speed run down the Colorado River in 1983 after one of the biggest water years in the western United State's history. C&K: Its been a wild week. Fedarko seems to be well-read in many genres, and is able to seamlessly pull up references to other literature to add dimensions to an already 3-D book. According to his obituary he is buried in Flagstaff. 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. This was a trip of a lifetime for this decidedly no camping, I need to sleep in a bed at night, no discomfort, but adventurous soul, middle-aged lady. So much history and info! Did you, Kenton and Wren realize that your time could be beaten by kayak at normal flows? I also would like to rate this higher. 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. Do yourself a favor and check out this exciting literary adventure! Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. I try to picture myself in the EM during our speed run, in the thrashing turbulence and the monstrous waves which, as the boat approached them, kept changing the direction so we wouldnt know how to point the boat to hit them straight, often requiring a major adjustment at the very last instant. . This book is built around a record human-powered speed run in a wooden boat through the Grand Canyon. He then said, "I was here for the memorial service and his cremated remains were spread here. . Perhaps even more so as this story focuses on one single individual.