River: One Man's Journey Down the Colorado, Source to Sea

Colin Fletcher was one of my early "guides" into backpacking, and many of his hiking tips still stand up well as I continue to backpack in my 50's.His trip down the Colorado provides more inspiration for what can be achieved as you get wiser and, oh yes, older, too.This isn't an "adventure" story in the trite sense, nor a river guide. It's a sharing of a person's thoughts. Fletcher is a different kind of person than most of us, but his musings cause me to think about my own life strategies and outcomes.-- P.C.

This is a book for those looking to take some quiet time to think about life, the river, and the environment. It is not a logistical book for those wishing to duplicate the experience. Fletcher's journey reveals the river from the perspective of an elderly man traveling at a slow pace (6 months) who is absorbing the spirit and feel of the Colorado and reflecting upon a lifetime of wilderness travel. It is slow, methodical, and at times a little tedious, but rich in detail and thoughtfulness.This is a book for the thoughtful and reflective, not the pump-me-up, thrill seeker. The little mistakes the author makes are usually pointed out by himself, and they mark the book as authentic in that Colin is a lot like the rest of us in his amateur knowledge of the details of wildlife. He differs, though, in his ability to tell the story, a unique story, of adventure and life.

If you're already a Fletcher fan then you should read this book. If you've never read Fletcher then read his other books first, as River not only alludes to events detailed in his other books but also ties up quite a few loose ends about the man's interesting life.I think most of the people who did not appreciate the book either had never read Fletcher before or were expecting a serious adventure tale of some kind. But the book is as much a reflection on Fletcher's life as it is a rafting/backpacking adventure. And River is decidedly not a "How To" book--don't expect details about planning, provisioning, logistics, etc., as these are purposefully glossed over. Fletcher spends just enough words describing river-running tactics to involve the reader, yet doesn't belabor the subject.I got from the book exactly what I'd come to expect from Fletcher's work: humor, insight, shared anger and (perhaps fleeting) despair. And, yes, adventure. But River also had the feeling of a farewell, and there are some very poignant moments in the book when Fletcher literally says, "Goodbye." A remarkably interesting man who has led an amazing life. But I won't have goodbyes. If you're still with us, Colin, give us at least another two or three books!

A 67 YEAR OLD MAN, THE MIGHTY COLORADO AND A SOLO JOURNEY FROM WYOMING TO MEXICO - HOW COULD ANYONE WHO HAS EVER TRAVELED BY FOOT OR RAFT NOT READ AND LOVE THIS BOOK. HATS OFF AGAIN MR.FLETCHER.

Colin Fletcher's keen eye and attention to detail makes his trip down the entire length of the Colorado River a delightful read. It put me in touch with wilderness adventures that I had enjoyed but long forgotten. This book is a must read for every nature lover