Colin Fletcher

[Dschur]

Colin Fletcher, 'Father of modern backpacking' dies


Colin Fletcher, author of "The Man Who Walked Through Time" and reluctant icon to thousands of Canyon hikers, died in Monterey Peninsula, Calif., last week at age 85.

The cause of death was listed as natural causes. In robust health most of his life, Fletcher suffered a physical decline after being hit by a car in 2001, never fully recovering.

Fletcher's epic solo journeys, vigorous writing and meticulous attention to technical detail earned him the title of "Father of Modern Backpacking." His how-to book, "The Complete Walker," known as the Hiker's Bible, is in its fourth edition.

Fletcher was born in Wales on March 14, 1922, was educated in England and served for six years in the Royal Marines during World War II. After time as a farmer in Africa and and prospector in Canada, he moved to the U.S. in 1956, settling in California.

His first book, "The Thousand Mile Summer," was published in 1958. It chronicled a two-month trek he made from one end of California to the other as he tried to decide if he should marry the woman he was living with. They did marry and were divorced within a year. Fletcher remained a confirmed bachelor for the rest of his life.

In 1964, he published "The Man Who Walked Through Time: The Story of the First Trip Afoot Through the Grand Canyon." While it was, indeed, about that journey, he linked it to broader themes like the soul-cleansing benefit of solitude.

As he noted in a 1997 interview with the literary blog Beatrice.com, "I'm never really writing about places ... I loathe guidebooks."

In that same interview, he commented ruefully on the irony that in celebrating wild solitude, he'd played a role in making it harder to find.

"I didn't feel bad about writing about it (Grand Canyon), because nobody went there," he said. "I didn't think I was going to be doing any 'harm.' I was wrong."

Solitude was something that Fletcher cherished in his everyday life, closely guarding his phone number and exact address. A sign outside his house said "Beware of the man." He chose to dispense his knowledge and his views through his books, particularly "The Complete Walker," an exhaustive look at all aspects of hiking that is still considered the definitive work on the sport, as much for its wit as its wisdom.

Though he's known as a great journeyer because of his epic travels that also included a mostly solo trip the entire length of the Colorado River (the subject of the book "River"), he denied that perception in the Beatrice.com interview.

"People think that this is what my life is, but the fact is that I did the "Thousand Mile Summer" walk in 1958, Grand Canyon trip in 1963, and this is the third major journey that I've done. I do smaller backpacking trips often, but not long journeys like this."

Fletcher left no survivors.

[JoelHazelton]

I'm in the process of reading "Man Who Walked Through Time". That is a very interesting book and gets you really psyched to go backpack... alone.

[azbackpackr]

I love all of Colin's books. The Thousand Mile Summer is good, and so is River: One Man's Journey Down the Colorado River, Source to Sea. But they're all good, if you can find them. Someone was asking me about The Man From the Cave. It's much harder to get ahold of, it's way out of print. The time I looked on Amazon it wasn't available, and I didn't keep watching. The Winds of Mara is another one that is less-known, but I liked that one too--it's about Africa. I have read The Man Who Walked Through Time at least 10 times, and all of the others several times each.
I got started reading his books when I was about 17 or so. My sister gave me The Complete Walker for my birthday, and I was hooked. That was almost 40 years ago, and I'm still hooked on backpacking!

RIP Colin.

[joebartels]

there's a dozen copies on abebooks
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchR ... t&x=10&y=5

[djui5]

What an inspiration! RIP

[JoelHazelton]

Actually, I have an even harder time finding his books because I do the whole library thing. If I decided I had money to spend on books, however, I would most definitely buy his books.

[joebartels]

You need to visit the Arizona Room at the Phoenix Library on McDowell

it's on the 4th floor, hours are limited
Tuesdays & Thursdays Noon - 9 p.m.
Wednesdays & Saturdays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sundays Noon - 6 p.m.

bad news is you can't check out the books
good news is the book you're looking for is almost always available

The Man From the Cave status: checked in

it's a wonderful neighborhood, park close, daylight only and keep 911 on speed dial

[JoelHazelton]

Hahaha... Actually back in high school my friends and I used to skateboard at the park directly behind the library (deck park, on top of the tunnel) and then hang out in the teen center on the 3rd floor to cool off. I always new the Arizona room existed- I even accidentally hit floor 4 on the elevator a couple times and ended up there- but never cared to look around. Now that I think about it and you mentioned it, I would have a hey-day there now! I could even reminisce with all the crackheads at deck park about my skating days back there. We actually used to skate under the bridge at the park at night. Now that's sketchy...

[SuperstitionGuy]

Fletcher published his first edition of The complete Walker about the same time that I decided to switch from long day hikes to backpacking. After reading his book I went to REI to purchase a backpack, pad and sleeping bag. While asking the store clerk about the different aspects of the equipment I was interested in, I told him that I had just finished reading Colins book. At that point he said "if thats the case you don't need me to help you and walked away"!!!!!

[azbackpackr]

Ha Ha! And some of the help at REI Tempe hasn't improved after all this time. Imagine that!

Thanks, Joe, for the heads-up on where to find The Man From the Cave. I think I will order it right away.

For used books I always hit Bookman's in Tucson or Flag. I think there might be one in the Phx. area, too. You just take in some of your old books, see if they might want them. If they do, they give you a credit slip, and you can get more used books. The books you bring them have to be in good shape, etc. I have often seen Fletcher's books at Bookman's.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Well, at least he was honest....

[JoelHazelton]

Ha Ha! And some of the help at REI Tempe hasn't improved after all this time. Imagine that!

Thanks, Joe, for the heads-up on where to find The Man From the Cave. I think I will order it right away.

For used books I always hit Bookman's in Tucson or Flag. I think there might be one in the Phx. area, too. You just take in some of your old books, see if they might want them. If they do, they give you a credit slip, and you can get more used books. The books you bring them have to be in good shape, etc. I have often seen Fletcher's books at Bookman's.

There is a Bookman's on 19th ave and Northern in Phoenix. nw corner

[azbackpackr]

I got the Man From the Cave through inter-library loan, and the copy I received came from the Mesa Library. I was not able to afford the prices to buy it online--I checked out several websites that sell books. I don't think very many copies of it were ever printed, in comparison with some of Fletcher's other books.

It's sort of an odd story, but kind of interesting. I have read it once before.