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13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 I wouldn't do it, but someone has to. Dec 01, 2000
By Alexander Stroup
Experienced river-runner Patricia McCairen was suddenly faced with a choice when she found herself without companions for a trip through Grand Canyon. She could give up her permit and hope to get another at some point or she could go it alone. Certain she would be saved from her bravado she called the National Park Service to get special permission for a solo trip and was both surprised and terrified when permisssion was granted.Thus did McCairen enter into a trip that would allow her to delve into the differences between solitude and loneliness and eventually come to grips with her course in life. Canyon Solitude is more about a personal journey of the mind than a journey through Grand Canyon. Reading as she struggles with her history (with men, with her mother, with her professional goals) provides insight into how we all allow our direction to be shaped by others, only convincing ourselves that we are truly independent. As we find McCairen actually achieving independence it is easy to understand as she swings from exhileration to terror and back to exhileration, finally achieving contentment. The book is a bit slow at times, but as with the actual river, it has periods of intense excitement that more than make up for the lulls. Perhaps without the calms between the rapids, it wouldn't be possible to really understand what has been accomplished.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 A book to savor Apr 10, 2002
By Aspen Leaf
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.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Couldn't Put It Down... Aug 04, 1999
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...
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Attention all adventure woman..... Aug 30, 2000
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!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Thoughtful writing - hope she writes more May 12, 2000
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.
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