Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age

by Ted Kerasote

WINNER, 2004 NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD! (Outdoor Literature) Who hasnt wanted to get away from cell phones, e-mail, roads, and traffic? And what better place to escape our wired world than the far northwestern corner of Canadas Northwest Territories and a river that flows through uninhabited country, 400 miles to the Arctic Ocean. But what if your canoeing partner brings along a satellite phone to use in case of an emergency? And, struck by the novelty of anywhere-on-earth communication, he proceeds to use the phone to check in with his law office, his wife, kids, sisters, father, and friends? Noted wilderness traveler and author Ted Kerasote deals with just such a situation as he journeys along the Horton River through the largest ice-free, roadless area left on Earth, a stunning wilderness of grizzly bears, caribou, and migrating birds. Between navigating rapids, slipping around musk ox and grizzlies, and being pinned down by Arctic storms, the two friends prod each other into a finer understanding of love, marriage, parenting, and the meaning of solitude in an increasingly wired world. Contrasting his own experiences with those of the regions earliest explorers--Sir John Franklin and Vilhjalmur Stefansson--Kerasote provides a compelling and humorous take on how travelers from any age adjust to being away from their civilizations and how getting "out there" has inevitably changed but has also remained the same--especially if you shut off the phone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Nature, Wilderness, Outdoors

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2004

About the author

Ted Kerasote's writing has spanned the globe and appeared in dozens of periodicals and anthologies, including Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Salon, and The New York Times. He is also the author and editor of six books, one of which, Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age, won the National Outdoor Book Award. He lives in Wyoming.

Reviews

[Ana Marlatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live this author, so it reading this book was an easy decision. “Merle’s Door”- another title by the author-was so good... I really was excited to read more by him. What I found was the same great writing style, the same love and admiration for nature and everything wild. Ted Kerasote makes music with words, and sings of the beautiful places only a few dare to explore.

[Annette Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a good outdoor travel memoir. I found pages 121-123 very thought provoking, a discussion of how the very gear that keeps us warm and dry in the outdoors, are made of the very same things that are destroying our planet.

“…how each of us impacts the natural world while we’re out there enjoying it…” (123).

“Yet, northwest of us, on both the Canadian and US Shores of the Arctic Ocean, oil wells sprout, and a debate continues to rage over whether to drill in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We’re wearing that oil on our backs, the skin of our boat is made from it, and these petrochemicals have not only allowed us to fly to a remote place in two days, but also to travel through it in great comfort” (122).

I will definitely seek out other books by this author.

[Erin Janda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The timing of reading this book was perfect. After spending 80 days in the wilderness doing various outdoor activities, I found myself relating so closely to Ted Kerasote’s desire to disconnect from the wired world and instead connect with nature. I love Kerasote’s style of writing and the way he weaves storytelling with historical information. If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, I highly recommend this book.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted Kerasote makes a wilderness canoe trip with a good friend who carries a sat phone. I read, expecting, anticipating more discovery, more change, but Kerasote mostly observes and reports, satisfied in himself and his perspective, passing through without disturbing the landscape or his soul.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish it had been longer. Enjoyed the balance of inner and outer journey

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read, and a reflection about a trip into the wild in the modern age of technology (a.k.a., the satellite phone that the author's canoeing partner brings along and uses to make personal phone calls from their river in the Northwest Territories, close to the Artic Circle). The author manages to be meaningful in his discusses of "wildness" and the noise of civilization without taking himself too seriously or belaboring a point. His touch is light, deft, but thought-provoking.

[Pat Collins]

I just finished this book last night. I totally enjoyed the story of Ted Kerosote and his friend Len taking a canoe trip down the Horton River that spills out into the Artic Ocean. The gist of the story, besides the adventure, was that Len took a satphone, and they were basically connected to the rest of the world during this " Out There" trip. Ted, being not used to, and not wanting to, be so connected to the world while on these trips and how he felt about it. an excellent read.

[DH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading this on my trip to the Wyoming Wilderness - a non-fiction story about 2 guys who travel to the Artic area in a canoe and are disconnected from technology, except for a satphone. Got better as I read.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never really caught on to the point of this book. It seemed more like a collection of journal entries than a cohesive story. I would have liked there to be a more obvious sort of theme of the book other than Ted being frustrated by Len using the sat phone and missing his family.

[BettyBolero · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing after Merle's Door. I thought it would be funnier, using high tech gadgets in the remote wilderness of northern Canada. He's a great writer, paints a vivid picture for us but I was expecting more to the story.

[Trustno1k · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the premise of this book...getting lost in the wilderness, where no one can reach you. Getting lost from technology, all means of communication and getting in touch with enjoying nature and its beauty and the hardships it may or may not bring.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Book this spoke to inner wanderer in me couldn`t wait to step out my front door and leave it all behind, that lasted 3 days LOL

[Nancy Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of two friends' canoeing trip in the Arctic -- part memoir, part deep appreciation for the silent majesty of the outdoors.

[David Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

get to know the BC area and what it was like to live thelife of a Provincial Park manager, ranger , in the early days.
Yes, his wife said she would camp out.

[Jarhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book. Ted's words are so descriptive you don't need pictures to see the Artic north.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great account of a river adventure in the Yukon. Every page reminded me of my own canoe adventure in the Yukon and how much I yearn to return.

[Jan Krehel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical river adventure tale. Fairly good writing.

[Rick Perdomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ted Kerasote writing. Very entertaining and thought provoking.

[Rrapheal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed like a pretentious view of being in the wild and what nature means

[Karen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all need to reconnect with nature, especially without all these electronic devices. Leave your cellphone at home and pay attention to whats happening around you.