Paddling My Own Canoe: A Solo Adventure On the Coast of Molokai

by Audrey Sutherland

A Book for Connoisseurs of Wild Places of the EarthAn Epic Memoir of an Intrepid Solo Adventurer, a Woman Who Lived by the Philosophy "Go Simple, Go Solo, Go Now"

Go Simple, Go Solo, Go Now

In 1958, while flying from one island to another, Audrey Sutherland sees the remote and roadless northeast side of Molokai, with its spectacular sea cliffs and waterfalls. Always an adventurer, she decides that she must find a way to explore this then inaccessible area. After much study, she determines that the best way for her to navigate these treacherous sea walls is to swim while towing an inflatable kayak. This is the story of fulfilling her dream, of planning then implementing, of launching and advancing, of retreating and reconnoitering, of challenge and success. This is the story of the trip that convinced her that personal growth comes when one goes simple, goes solo, goes now.

Genres: Memoir, Adventure, Travel, Nonfiction, Womens, Outdoors, Nature

Audible Audio

First published September 1, 1978

Reviews

[Melissa Burovac · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an adventurer, I love to read books like this. More than that, though, this book describes a woman learning how to do what hasn't been done before; we couldn't duplicate her journey now, with the amazing technology at our disposal. Figuring out how to rig the equipment she'd need from what she could find in the late 50's and early 60's was brilliant.
The cultural, linguistic, and biological, and geographical aspects of the book made me feel as if I was there, and a little homesick as well (I live on Kauai, but am off-island).
Maybe I loved this book because adventures like this aren't possible here anymore, with so many more people, tour boats, helicopters, etc, and to find true solitude in the wilderness would be a blessing.

[Donna M. Lohrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a life-changer and caused me to go to Molokai and backpack into the same valley where this book took place. It was quite an adventure...

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book - and this author - were a delight to discover. I love stories about women who love the wild, who embrace the outdoors, and who - often quite literally - forge their own path. In Paddling My Own Canoe, Sutherland tells of first seeing the northern cost of Moloka'i while flying overhead in 1957. She is entranced by the rugged cliffs, the remote valleys, and the seemingly unreachable beaches and waterfalls. "Some inner wildness, there since childhood, surged up and answered that wild country and said very simply, 'Yes, I'll come.'" Her first attempt at visiting this coast was in 1962, when she decided to walk the narrow boulder ledges where she could, and swim around the cliffs pulling her gear when she couldn't walk. In this memoir, she captures the adventure, the misadventure, her love and respect for the natural beauty, and her awareness of both the danger and the need to not take herself too seriously. At one point, she says "In all my reading about the sea, there wasn't any guideline for this kind of expedition. It was all trial and error, mostly error." If you love books about adventure and beautiful nature writing combined with a feeling of sitting down with an old friend, this is an excellent read.

As a side note, I had ordered a used copy of this book - not only was my copy signed by the author, a previous owner must have known her. There is a note in the front of the book with her address, phone number, and a hand drawn map of where her home was. Sutherland passed away in 2015, at the age of 96 - what an amazing woman she would have been to meet. Seeing that note feels like such a connection to the author.

[M. Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you could pick any person, living or dead, to have lunch with…who would you pick?”

I always hated and loved this question. Loved because the answer truly provides a look into what a person truly values. Hated, because I never had an answer.

Well, I think I found my answer. Audrey Sutherland was truly an underrated icon and it’s a damn shame that in all my years of exploring I’d only heard of her recently.

I’d always felt drawn to forest and mountains, but after my first lackluster ocean experience I never related to the people who were drawn to saltwater. But reading this book makes me understand those people, at least. Similar to the ways I find refreshing solitude, accomplishment in my own body and drive by scaling peaks and logging long miles, Sutherland proves her worth in a mix of ocean and land.

It was also truly intriguing to witness a small glimpse into the strides we’ve made in outdoor gear, from Audrey’s first excursion swimming for miles with a makeshift pack and a weather balloon cooking on scavenged jar of kerosene, to her vastly more comfortable return trips in a nine-foot inflatable canoe and a camp stove. All in jeans. It’s easy to take for granted my DWR finish rain jackets and quick dry pants and MSR stoves that can fit in my pocket, and even more awe inspiring that she did it all with plain creativity.

So glad I have “Paddling North” waiting for me on my shelf, so I can see what feats she reached at age 60.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blind bravery of a woman who risks it all to explore the hidden bays of Hawaii's most unexplored island makes for a gripping read. She lyrically describes her accounts of facing violent waves, rocky landings on shore, and wind-ripping nights in the jungle, and methodically describes the gear she packed to keep her alive and take her to her next goal. A fun and quick read for the adventurer looking for a delicious, light-weight trail treat!

[Brent Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly unbelievable. As in, I almost don't believe it. This lady swam 20+ miles of open ocean bordered by massive cliffs with precious few flat rocky landings to rest, towing stuff in a floating foam cooler. And she did it multiple times. And she did it in jeans.

[Noel نوال · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. The nature adventures were cool to read about, and so were the solo canoeing bits. However, the parts where Sutherland talked about the colonizers, missionaries and other people who committed genocide, colonization, and other forms of violence against the indigenous Hawaiians in a way that I can only describe as awe were deeply disturbing to me and made me dislike this book. I would have thought with how much she has Hawaiian history, lore, cultural mentions, and Hawaiian words she liked to chant as she paddled dispersed throughout this memoir she would have had more of an understanding or awareness, but no, apparently not.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Daily we are on trial, to do a job, to make a marriage good, to find depth, serenity, and meaning in a complex, deteriorating world of politics, false values, and trivia. But rarely are we deeply challenged physically or alone. We rely on friends, on family, on a committee, on community agencies outside ourselves. To have actual survival, living or dying, depend on our ingenuity, skill or stamina - this is a cote question we seldom face. We rarely find out if we like having only our own mind as company for days or weeks at a time. How many people have ever been totally isolated, ten miles from the nearest other human, for even two days?”

[Smita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily a top five most inspiring and influential books I’ve ever read. How I wish I could have met Audrey in person, but after reading this, and Paddling North, I know I’ll keep her wisdom with me for a lifetime. What an incredible tribute to the history, culture, and magic of Hawaii, and she shares about the importance of cultural humility and respect to the people of Hawaii in a way that demonstrates her honor of those that were there first. So much more to say but I can and probably will read this book so many more times again.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing adventure story that tells of a woman’s determination and true grit. Audrey Sutherland had seen the rocky coast of Molokai from the air and decided she needed to see from the land and sea. The only way to do so was by water but she couldn’t afford to charter a boat so she made the trip by inflatable boats, multiple times. The edition I read was published by a Patagonia and illustrated by Yoshiko Yamamoto.

[Christy Keeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sutherland is truly an adventurous explorer who thrives in the wilderness. Her ability to swim, paddle, hike, and traverse in any other way necessary is astonishing. In addition, her vision for preparing a wilderness home and then turning that vision into a reality required skills I certainly d not have. That said, her underlying premise is that anyone can reach their goals if they're willing to fail and keep trying.

[Cody Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It's a really good story and a quick read. I liked her "Paddling North" book better, largely because it aligns more with my own interests, but either way Audrey Sutherland's writing is enjoyable and will inspire you to get out and adventure - really cool to think about what she was doing and when she was doing it, alone. Overall this was just a mildly interesting quick little read, but not remarkably insightful or affecting, the way I found her Alaska story.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose the perfect time to read this book, right before a challenging canoeing adventure. There is so much to be learned from the challenge of being in the wild. Nature can force yourself inward. Thoughts cease as you merely exist among the rest of the world’s creatures. The mind quiets and stills despite hardship, a priceless lesson and reminder.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brave, competent, strong, adventuring woman who’s also a decent writer. The narrative pace is a bit erratic, and at times repetitive, but she was really impressive and the book’s definitely worth reading.

[Amber Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read in a while. Inspiring reminder of the healing that comes with trusting yourself to take yourself on a real adventure. And a fascinating detailed look at one of the most rural and inaccessible coasts in Hawai’i.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an entertaining style of writing, at least not for me! Kept finding my mind drifting while trying to read the book.

[Gráinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Made me want to go to Hawaii even more than normal.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Insightful, knowledgeable, up front writing. She’s the heroine we all have in us. Plus she goes on a fantastic adventure that is fun to read about!

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

With my experience living in Hawaii and personal love, admiration, and experience with isolated (some thought crazy) challenges, I truly wanted to love this book.

[Clivemichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting narrative, descriptive and suspenseful adventures wrapped within emerging self discovery

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book.
She was an amazing woman who, I was glad to know, survived her solo jaunts.
The block prints by Yoshiko Yamamoto are wonderful too.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting but down to earth and practical at the same time.

[Monica]

Paddle your own canoe, sure. But swim and camp in jeans? Unimaginable.

[Anna Brandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

[Corey Grassmyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 my favorite author cemented. really enjoyed reading this after reading paddling north in that I felt I was able to see how the author became so excellent at her skills.

[Luke Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading it while in Hawaii and makes me want to go to Molokai

[Liv Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strong independent woman on ambitious adventures.

[Anne McKeirnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing what this woman did in the 1960s and 1970s with minimal equipment. Excellent listen in audiobook.

[Linda_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly independent woman. Educated alive with interest for the real world and foraging her own way to explore it.