A Reader on a Journey: “Walking the Amazon” by Ed Stafford

For my 2019 writing challenge and in preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail in 2020, I am spending the entire year reading and writing about books focused on a journey. For my third book, I dove into “Walking the Amazon” by Ed Stafford.

Preparation

There are major differences between preparing to hike the entire length of the Amazon River from Peru to Brazil and hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. When Ed Stafford decided to undertake the pioneering journey of walking the Amazon River, costs, guides, customs, terrain, safety, length of the journey and much more had to be taken into account. This doesn’t mean there aren’t similarities between the two and it all comes down to the very act of preparation. Financially situating yourself, physically finding a comfort zone, struggles with food and water, and mentally finding a sweet spot are all steps that must be taken no matter if the journey last six months or 2 years.

The Odd Man Out

In order for Stafford to make this journey, he had to rely on guides who knew the countryside well and could help him make sense of what he was seeing on the maps. This often meant overcoming language barriers and periods of isolation even when he found himself in a group of people. As I think on my own journey that I will…