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Outside mag editor, award-winning author to speak at Tahoe

Special to the Sun
“The Emerald Mile,” won the National Outdoor Book Award in 2013.
Courtesy image |

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — A chronicler of the outdoors, an award-winning travel writer, and a part-time Grand Canyon river guide will speak at Sierra Nevada College at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, as the next guest for the Writers in the Woods Literary Series.

Kevin Fedarko’s work has appeared in Esquire, National Geographic Adventure and has been anthologized in The Best American Travel Writing of 2004 and 2006.

His first book, “The Emerald Mile,” won the National Outdoor Book Award in 2013.



“The Emerald Mile” tells the story of three guides who attempt to propel their boat down the Colorado River, which is swollen from a massive snowmelt that even threatens the safety of the Glen Canyon Dam.

Their mission: to be the fastest boat to ever navigate Colorado River as it goes through the Grand Canyon.



The National Outdoor Book Award website says “Author Kevin Fedarko focuses on the three guides, but at the same time, he adeptly weaves into his narrative the broader story of the river itself, and the clash of two opposites: those who love the wild untouched river — and those who desire to use the river for economic benefit. Like the small wooden boat flung down the river, Emerald Mile is a riveting ride through history, politics and big dreams.”

The talented writer and journalist is a contributing editor at Outside magazine and known for his travel narratives.

He was a staff writer at Time magazine from 1991-97, where he helped cover the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, according to Simon & Schuster’s biography on Fedarko.

“We’re excited to host an adventure writer who is so clearly aligned with what is characteristically SNC: someone who cares passionately about the environment, an entrepreneurial thrill-seeker who values the power of language and is committed to sustainable practices,” said English Program Chair June Saraceno.

The literary speaker series, Writers in the Woods, brings acclaimed authors, poets and screenwriters to Incline Village’s four-year, private university for readings and workshops throughout the academic year.

Fedarko will speak on the campus at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences building, Room 139, and will follow with a morning workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The Friday reading is free, while the workshop will cost $50 for nonstudents. More information and sign-ups can be found at sierranevada.edu.

“I am currently reading ‘The Emerald Mile’ and it resounds with everything I love about the world of rafting and rivers in general,” said Junior Sage Sauerbrey, a New Media Journalism major who guides rafting trips in Idaho during the summers. “His writing really captures the soul of the river and I am excited to get a look at the process that went into writing such a powerful book.”

Writers in the Woods features a year-long line-up of well-known writers. Upcoming authors include Saeed Jones, Mark Maynard, Gailmarie Pahmeier and David Lee.

This article was submitted to the Sun by Sierra Nevada College. To learn more about is Writers in the Woods series, visit sierranevada.edu/.


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