50th Anniversary of Colin Fletcher's Hike of the Length of Grand Canyon National Park

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Colin Fletcher’s 400 mile backpacking trip through Grand Canyon from Hualapai Hilltop to Point Imperial from April to June 1963. His poetic impressions and memoirs of the journey are revealed in his book - The Man Who Walked Through Time.-

Colin Fletcher was a pioneering backpacker who inspired a love of hiking, backpacking and traversing wild places like Grand Canyon and scenic rivers like the Colorado River. The books and articles he published, describing his travels, encouraged the reader to relish the spiritual aspect of the journey, to find joy and simplicity in an extended outdoor adventure.

Born in Wales and educated in England, Fletcher lived and worked in Africa, Canada, and eventually settled in California. During his life, he authored 10 books and wrote numerous magazine articles about his outdoor adventures, including a 1700 mile solo trip down the Colorado River from source to sea.

Fletcher popularized the art & science of backpacking through his influential writing and public speaking. In 1968, he published the first edition of his groundbreaking book The Complete Walker: The Joys and Techniques of Hiking and Backpacking. The book’s popularity led to 3 more updated editions being published and sold ½ million copies between 1968 and 2001 and can be credited with starting the modern backpacking industry.

Exhibit on display at Park Headquarters by Pete Peterson, Marna Bastian and Kim Besom.