Canyon Solitude: A Woman's Solo River Journey Through the Grand Canyon

This is a wonderful read. It gracefully mixes adventure with honest self-revelation as it explores the potentials and pains of a woman at midlife. Especially meaningful to me were McCairen's meditations on solitude versus loneliness and her wrestling with fear of intimacy. Going alone into the wilderness is a radical act for a woman, and McCairen engages it with consciousness and skill. I was sorry when the book ended, I had grown to so look forward to curling up with it at the end of the day. I would welcome a sequel.

I read this book practically cover to cover...Patricia McCairen captures the spirit of all adventure women. Whether running rivers, living in a Tipi, or climbing a massive rocky ledge, I was spellbound buy the journey into self and the discovery of her own strengths. The real topper for me was Patricia's realization that the wilderness, the river, was her place in the world, contrary to what her family and friends told her. She is my hero for being courageous enough to be lead by something other than popular opinion about who she is!

This book conveyed the spirit of a solo journey without pop style sound-bites or excruciating detail. Its a relief to read a book about a technical adventure that isn't filled with second-by-second accounts of every action, re-action, and re-re-action. "Patch"s style is easy to read and draws the reader in. If you have ever done a real solo adventure, you will likely relate to her. If you haven't, this is a nice book to let you feel like you have.

Having rafted the Colorado with a tour group not long ago, and I am in awe of what this woman did. The book is wonderfully written, and a page-turner for anyone, women in particular, who is a Grand Canyon/Colorado River enthusiast. I felt like I was right back there with every page...