Colin Fletcher managed to escape civilization with a simple plan. He would walk the length of California, including the Mojave Desert. The Ranger in Death Valley worried a great deal about him, but Fletcher's knowledge and understanding of the environment kept him safe and alive. In fact he enjoyed the "walk". Colin Fletcher is an excellent writer and this book is, in my opinin, is one of his best. I think I have read them all. He notices and describes details in vivid language. The clouds, the wind, the color of the valley, the trout, even the beetles and spiders don't miss his eye or nose.
He also describes the details of his hardships and joys, equipment failures and successes. He makes you feel as if you are with him on the trip, and often you may wish you were there. Some very well composed pictures are included. The trip took exactly 6 months. In the end he says "Then I walked down through the trees toward the road that would take me back to San Francisco and everything the city now offered."

I recommend the book to anyone. It is a good story, great adventure, and written by an unusual person. (He would like being called "unusual", I think.)

This book will change your whole outlook on nature. Are you willing to spend the summer walking, alone, then come along for this journey into your thoughts.

It doesn't take long for the reader to get broken in along Fletcher's trail of adventure from the Mexican border of eastern California to the Oregon border. The author takes us along the Colorado trail following the river for a number of days until we spring for the Mohave desert. Fletcher had placed, before his hike, a number of strategic caches of water along his desert route. We are as anxious as he to get to the next cache, particularly as we approach Death Valley in early spring before the overwhelming heat sets in. His descriptions of desert flowers and rolling mounds of sand stretching to dark and spiney ridges rising from the valley floor compel us to make plans to visit Death Valley in the near future. We are relieved when we hop out of Death Valley into the Panamints and scrub forests of the lower Sierra. When we climb high into snow country, our eyes hurt in the glaring snow. But the chill of fourteen thousand feet is more than welcome after the hot Mohave sands. We walk along with Fletcher in the high Sierra to push our toe across the border and touch Oregon soil. We experience the heat, the rattlers, the desert poppies, the cool downsloping breezes from the high Sierra, and the icy waters of alpine streams by reading THE THOUSAND MILE SUMMER. Such a book is a rare treat for those of us seemingly locked into a time-pressure capsule of corporate work

My brother-in-law handed me this book one day and said it was worth reading. I had no idea who Colin Fletcher was or what the book was about. I learned a lot about Colin Fletcher, the guru of walking, but even more about a remarkable man who's life would have passed unnoticed had Mr. Fletcher not stumbled on a very remote cave south of Las Vegas Nevada in the late 1960s. This man had come to live in the cave for part of a year and Mr. Fletcher decided to find out who and why a person would choose to live there. Through tough detective work the author develops some leads about when the habitation of the cave occurred and what sort of person lived there. The man in question turns out to be a very colorful prospector and through amazing luck and perseverance Fletcher uncovers his life story. He finds this man to be much like himself. Mr. Fletcher portrays him as both saint and sinner at times, but always makes him human. Quite a good read.

In my opinion, this is one of the more fascinating of Colin Fletcher's very enjoyable writings. While pursuing an on-going project of walking the length of the Colorado River, Fletcher discovered a lonely cave in Nevada with evidence that a remarkable individual had called it home sometime in the early part of the century. Fletcher wondered who this could have been, and what had led him to this very out-of-the-way location (as Colin Fletcher himself had been led there). Years of research and discovery, aided by a not inconsequential amount of dumb luck, led Fletcher to the most probable identity of the cave dweller, and he also learned much about American history along the way. This book is a real-life mystery; it is a biography of "Chuckawalla Bill" Simmons and of Colin Fletcher himself; and like all of Colin Fletcher's books, it is also a work of philosopy. Not surprisingly, the "Man From the Cave" proves to be a man very much like Colin Fletcher himself.

Colin Fletcher had a simple solution to the tedium of civilized live. He simply decided to walk the length of California from south to north. Including the Mojave Desert and Death Valley. He doesn't miss anything. He recorded the signts, sounds, people and his successes, failures and fears in wonderful detail. He found the purpose of the walk as he went along. The desert revealed its secrets to this man who took the time to experience the place on foot. Fishing in a creek, or climbing a mountain, or sleeping under the stars, Fletcher makes you feel as if you were there with him. A great writer and explorer, Fletcher is a joy to read. I have read most if not all of his books and this is perhaps the best. Whether you wander on foot or in you mind, you will, I think, love this book.

If there were 6 stars, that is what I would give this book. I read the other reviews after I had written mine and oddly (or perhaps not oddly) they seemed similar. Oh well.

I was very interested in how this book would be revised to cover this quickly growing and changing subject. How do you take the overwhelming explosion of products and ideas about backpacking that have developed over the last decades and try to write about them? Well, Fletcher and Rawlins start by discussing that very subject. How do you keep 845 pages on gear and technique from being a long pedestrian trudge? I'm not sure, but somehow they combined personal experiences, wry humor and charming illustrations to do so. The book abounds with illustrations that are as beautiful as they are functional. Mostly though, they used their own unique writing styles to accomplish the task and completed a remarkable compilation of facts about backpacking gear and technique that reads like a novel. The two authors take turns writing about each subject, sometimes each idea. They seem to have similar philosophies (e.g., get out and do it, and gear is only a means to that end) yet the juxtaposing of ideas gives the book a fresh, and I think, healthy flavor. With many fine (and some not-fine) books available on the subject they still managed to write a remarkable, complete, and interesting book that is not just a rehash of what has already been said. Some of (the late) Vanna Price's familiar illustrations from the original edition again bring the subject to life. There is also some of the original text where appropriate. Hannah Hinchman's illustrations do a nice job of taking up where Vanna Price left off. More than just a "how to" book, the authors have managed to embrace "why to" appreciate the wilderness on foot. Reviewers often say things like "nothing comparable" or "Without a doubt a classic". This time it might be true.

i dragged my feet before buying this book. i thought "i've already read plenty of books about backpacking." i wasn't exactly satisfied with any of them, but i learned a little from each different title. i finally bought this book 5 days ago from the Lodgepole Ranger Station bookstore in Sequoia NP, on a crazy impulse.

OH MY GOSH. 800+ pages of the most useful, precise information i've ever read anywhere (and i've read a lot). these two guys know their stuff, and are eloquent, realistic, CLEAR, and mildly humourous when they talk about it. this is so far above & beyond the quality of other books on the subject - i'm blown away. i've been reading it nonstop for 5 days. it covers everything: shoes (from full-scale boots to trail runners to hiking sandals & tons in-between), socks, packs, tents, clothing, weather, food, cooking, stoves, lights, hats, animals... the authors have EXTENSIVE experience and it really shines through. there is an extensive listing of additional reading material on every subject they discuss, plus gear lists from various trips of their own. this is a treasure trove.

as a HUGE plus, the book is fun to read. witty, wry humour and their very honest accounts of their own dumb mistakes help readers not to feel like we're begging at the table for crumbs of their vast banquet of knowledge.

if you feel like you could stand to learn a little more about ANY aspect of backpacking, this book will totally exceed your expectations. it's THE MOST useful book i've read in a long, long time.

I first started reading Colin Fletcher at the dawn of my backpacking experience over 30 years ago so have a certain affection for the book. Of course, I would rather not carry a copy of this voluminous work in my own bag for leisure reading! The book is at its best in developing and sustaining an appreciation of the philosophical and truly basic aspects of backpacking. I think there are better works on any aspect of traveling with a pack, and certainly the various journals on outdoor traveling have some advantages over this book, but you are unlikely to find a single work as good. Where the book can come under serious question is the authors' opinions of various products -- given the rapid onset of technology and product changes, the equally rapid efforts to minimalize and downsize, and the sometimes rabid opinions of various gear-heads (for instance, I happen to really like the Stephenson Warmlite products which he trashes and I think anyone who doesn't share my opinion in every way is....). This is a rather large part of the volume. In addition, the authors tend to be a huge bit wordy as well (of course this makes it easy to skim, and they are enjoyable to read). Having said that, this is a classic work in a rapidly evolving and re-evolving field. It's good to see it again and may it be edited and re-edited and carried on long after we all hit the Geezer Trail.

It's a shame that one is only allowed 5 stars to rate this book. Colin Fletcher brings a sense of humor and humanity to the art and science (for lack of a better phrase) of backpacking, and is one of the most readable authors extant. I have just ordered the 4th edition of this book, and I'll be staking out the mailbox until it's arrival. This qualifys as basic equipment.

I love this book. Fletcher's writing is solid and his motives are up-front. And like no other book on the subject, this one makes you want to spend your life walking. Take the intellect and spirit of this book, and the gear sense of Ray Jardine, and you'll really be getting somewhere.

I was looking at this book in the bookstore, but I ended up buying "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Camping and Hiking." Although I knew that Fletcher's was probably the better book, I figured that the technological advances in backpacking equipment would make the 16-year old third edition less than completely useful. Well, to make a long story short, I ended up back in the bookstore to buy "Complete Walker."

Most of the information is still essentially accurate, but even for areas where time has passed this book by, the book is still useful. Fletcher doesn't just give you his conclusions about what to take; he takes you through the process of gathering information and thinking that led to the conclusions. Essentially, he teaches you how to think and make your own choices, rather than presenting you with the received gospel.

Fletcher has read all the catalogs and books and magazines, talked to a lot of backpackers, visited a lot of shops, contacted manufacturers, and heard from his readers, in addition to testing a lot of equipment himself. He passes all this information along to us, acknowledging that some of it might not be reliable, and he gives us his take on it, mixing in his real-life experiences and philosophy, making it much more than just a gear book.

Quiet Light is a large format book (12x13 inches) containing 51 duotone plates of John Sexton's photographs taken 1974-1988. The title refers to the naturally "quiet light" of dawn and sunset which provided the illumination for the photographs within. The photographs are mostly of the natural world and range in perspective from close-ups of plants to sweeping landscapes. Some of the photographs are excellent, some mediocre, but the collection really conveys a specific mood and gives the viewer a strong sense of the style and themes of John Sexton's work during this period of time.

The quality of the paper is very good. It is difficult for me to comment on the quality of the reproductions because I haven't seen the original prints of any of them. In looking at the plates closely, it seems to me that some shadow detail has probably been lost. That always seems to be the case in fine arts photography books.

I particularly appreciate the technical information that Mr. Sexton thoughtfully provides toward the back of the book. The type of camera, lens, filters, film, exposure, and development information are given for every photograph. This will answer all of those "how did he get that shot" questions that every photographer, casual or pro, will inevitably ask himself/herself.

A worthy addition to any collection of nature photography or fine arts black-and-white books. A great introduction to John Sexton's work. A nice synopsis of his work from this period.... And a fine choice of adornment for your coffee table as well.

what is unique about his work...beyond the technical expertise...is the newness of the work....most of the images avoid the cliches and thus fill a void in large format photograhpy...which has a tendency to become repetitive...many of the images are totally new to me, i think he did some work in finding unique material

John Sexton is a master--but you already knew that. His photographs show both a deep technical understanding of the medium and an eye for visualization that I envy even more. Every time I open Quiet Light I want to rush out with my 4x5. That is; after I've turned the last page of this magnificent book. If you practice the Zone System, this volume is a must. If you do not, this book will make you want to. If you enjoy looking at photographs that make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, this book is for you too.

Shortly after the American Civil War, John Muir, a 29-year-old budding naturalist, set out on an epic journey across the eastern United States. Starting in Louisville, Kentucky on September 2, 1867, he walked southward through Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia, where he was delayed in Savannah. After crossing through Florida he finally reached the Gulf, but, unfortunately, his desire to continue on toward South America was hindered by an illness. Not fully recovered, he eventually made for Cuba, but went no further. Muir returned home only to set out for California a short while later. During his journey, he kept a journal in which he recorded his experiences and observations of the flora and fauna he came across. This journal, along with an article written in 1872 and a letter that he wrote while in California, constitute A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf, which was originally published in 1916, two years following Muir's death. Although there are a few instances when the author reveals himself to be a man of his times, his observations of a natural world which in many instances have long since been destroyed, are priceless.

As the human population expands the natural world around us disappears. This is a fact we mostly ignore as we go about our daily life. One day, you wake up, and discover that within your own lifetime things have been permanently altered.

When John Muir made his "Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf" the U.S. was not as heavily populated as it is today, although much had changed from the time when European settlers first moved through the area he explored -- a path that stretched from Indianapolis Indiana to the Gulf just north of what is Tampa Florida today.

Muir moved South in the aftermath of the Civil War, so he encountered much unrest, unhappiness, and destruction along the way. He describes not only the flora and fauna he found but the condition of humans as they struggled to rebuild their lives.

He says, "My plan was to simply to push on in a general southward direction by the wildest leafiest, and least trodden way I could find, promising the greatest extent of virgin forest." To a great extent, he was able to do that, however, he could not escape some of the realities of the world around him. For example, in Georgia, he encountered the graves of the dead, whom he says lay under a "common single roof, supported on four posts as the cover of a well, as if rain and sunshine were not regarded as blessings." A bit further he says, "I wandered wearily from dune to dune sinking ankle deep in the sand, searching for a place to sleep beneath the tall flowers, free from the insects and snakes, and above all my fellow man."

Muir wonders at the teachings of those who call themselves God's emissaries, who fail to ask about God's intentions for nature. He says, "It never seems to occur to these far-seeing teachers that Natures's object in making animals and plants might possibly be first of all the happiness of each one of them, not the creation of all for the happiness of one. Why should man value himself as more that a small part of the one great unit of creation? And what creature of all that the Lord has taken the pains to make is not essential to the completeness of the unit--the cosmos?"

Partly as a result of his writing, and the writing of other Naturalists, the National Park System came into being, and today, more trees grow on the East coast than grew in the late 1700s (American Revolution). The fight is not over, however, it has only begun. Many of those trees are "harvested" every year. Sometimes, even within National Forests they are all felled at the same time through a process called clear cutting. The lovely large oaks that Muir beheld are mostly long gone and have been replaced by Pine.

This is one of John Muir's best books (the other being _First Summer in the Sierra_). It's Muir's slightly-edited diary of his 1000-mile trip through the Southern U.S. to Florida, then Cuba. He traveled on foot observing nature and the people. The book holds your interest as it's written on the spot through the enthusistic eyes of a young man. It reminds me a little of Mark Twain's book _Roughin' It_, another story through the eye's of a young man latter to become famous (about working on antebellum riverboats).

I truly enjoy Mr. Fletcher's writing - a man who can so profoundly write about "doing nothing". As he goes off on his various hikes, he offers a tremendous amount of food for thought - around issues of environment, harmony, relationship and connection - just to name a few.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the outdoors.

:-)

Mr. Fletcher's SECRET WORLDS is a revealing book centering on spirit of place without revealing the geo-specific location of place. Though we may not know the exact location of a coastal valley somewhere in northern California or southern Oregon, we can sense the joy and exaltation of the author for his secret little valley with spruce and fir and cool, dark cliffs. How does he keep the location secret? By altering ever so slightly descriptive details of a mountain pass or the direction of high, snow-capped peaks. While there might be a certain amount of frustration for the reader who intends to retrace the author's footsteps, there is no frustration whatsoever for the deconstructionist critic who is sensitive about literary mapping--a process which may lead to the destruction of the place so admired by the author. An extreme deconstructionist stance leads to the condemnation of John Muir's writings on the grounds that they ultimately inspired countless millions of people to come and unwittingly destroy that which Muir describes (like Yosemite Valley). SECRET WORLDS will certainly not duplicate such a result, but it will, nonetheless, inspire the reader to that which is true, good, and beautiful in nature

All of Colin Fletcher's works reflect the wonder of the world around us. This is simply a fantastic little collection of some of his "mucking about" stories. Anyone who knows how to stop and enjoy life's simple pleasures will relate to this amazing man and his great books. A great addition to any nature lover's library.

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.

I did a whitewater rafting trip last year through Canyonlands NP and this book brought the wonderful memories of that trip - the beauty of the scenery and excitement of the rapids - back to me full force. I LOVED this book. Colin Fletcher's descriptions really bring you to the river and its surrounding beauty. I love how he describes everything, and how he goes off on tangents back to memories of his own life. This book is well worth the read!

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.

I've been to the Grand Canyon once, and it blew my mind. :-)

Colin Fletcher's book is beautifully written. Admittedly, I found myself getting slightly lost in the geological descriptions, but his ability to turn such wonderful phrases makes for good reading. Overall, this book has stood the test of time. :-)

If you're interested in backpacking and transformation, I would highly recommend this book.

I've never seen the Grand Canyon, but after reading Fletcher's book I feel that I've already been there. Colin's trek through the canyon in the early 1960's is a wonderful example of descriptive writing and attention to detail. One can almost visualize the immense passages of time as they unfolded before his eyes during his solitary walk through the heart of the canyon. Those of you looking for adventure and action need to look elsewhere, though. This book is about reflection and introspection, one man's thoughts about his (and mankind's) place and role on this planet. As Colin himself says the book and hike is meant to be more like a pilgrimage to a strange and wonderful place than a mere journal of collected thoughts. This inspiring book has me adding 'hike the Grand Canyon' on my life's 'to do' list, and it will be on yours, too!

Preparing to hike the canyon myself I wanted to read up on what it would be like.I found "The Man Who Walked Through Time" in the bookstore on the Canyon's rim and read it right there,under a tree. This book will transport you to another world,deep below the rim and the mystery's and dangers therein. Colin Fletcher's courage and precise planning made for a successful journey and anyone planning a trip within the Grand Canyon would do well to read this book. I still have that worn copy I bought in 1972 and I re-read it once a year-just before I pull on my pack and head down the Canyon. Cheers Mr. Fletcher,Cheers.