Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker

by J. Robert Harris

A gifted storyteller shares seven decades of surprising adventures - The author is a distinguished member of The Explorers Club - The author is an unexpected adventurer, disarmingly positive and companionable - Lively stories of remote treks around the world Way Out There is an account of J. Robert Harris's extraordinary exploits while backpacking in some of the world's most tantalizing places--largely alone and unsupported. And after almost fifty years of wilderness travel, "J.R.," as he's known, has plenty of tales to tell! His stories are by turns funny, tragic, and uplifting, and are all told in his down‐to‐earth, friendly storytelling style. For J.R. it all began in 1966 when, as a young New Yorker, he impulsively drives his VW Beetle across the country to the very end of the northernmost road in Alaska, searching for an answer to a simple question: What is it like to be way out there? How this happened, who he met, and what he encountered along the way became the foundation for a lifelong attraction to trekking and adventure travel. Subsequent chapters chronologically explore some of his many journeys, revealing an enduring wanderlust honed by his emerging maturity and outdoor skills. Stories of J. R.'s solo treks point to stark contrasts between his urban upbringing and his wilderness wanderings, while tales of adventure with small but diverse groups of friends are enriched by their collective experiences and varying viewpoints about exploration. Way Out There is a lively yet introspective book by a restless soul that will attract countless readers who love to travel, as well as armchair adventurers and communities looking for outdoor role models. The foreword is by the late Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots during World War II.

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

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2017

About the author

I have never been lonely when alone in the wilderness. It's a reality that motivates my backcountry voyages. As a lifelong resident of New York City, I probably don't fit the profile of a wilderness backpacker but since 1966 I've done more than fifty multi-week treks, all unsupported and most of them alone. During that time I have faced terrible weather, hair-raising river crossings and wildlife encounters, but I've also beheld the awesome majesty and pristine beauty of our incredible planet.

Now in my seventies, I am still an active and enthusiastic trekker under my Brokenbo Wilderness Expeditions banner. Elected into the prestigious Explorers Club in 1993 and included among the HistoryMakers in 2018, I am also founder and president of JRH Marketing Services, the oldest African American-owned research and consulting firm in the United States, and author of Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker.

At speaking engagements I like to encourage everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or physical fitness, to experience, in their own way and at their own pace, all the benefits that come from spending time in the great outdoors. I believe this will motivate them to support, maintain, and protect our natural environments.

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Reviews

[Erinp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never wanted to be friends with anybody more than J Robert Harris. What an enjoyable book of the trials and triumphs of backpacking. What neat trails this man does.

[Robby DeGraff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging collection of stories from the trail from across the world. JR Harris does such a great job of vividly describing his adventures backpacking in some of the most remote places. A lot of the language he fills the pages with really instills a sense of solitude!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of outdoors and specifically hiking/backpacking books. This one is unique in that it’s a series of stories about different treks over decades of hiking. Harris has hiked all over the world and seen things most people will never experience. I enjoyed reading about his experiences and reading about trails I have never even heard of.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most unique and enjoyable outdoors books I've read (and I've read a lot of them). What makes it great is that it isn't a tale of incredible achievement and struggle, it's a series of stories about long, usually solo, wilderness backpacking trips. These weren't first ascents or anything like that, but they were each uniquely challenging journeys and they were told in a genuine, observant, humble yet cocky way that felt so very familiar to me. Anyone who has spent a lot of time in strange places with a back on their back will be able to relate to so much of what is in these pages. You can't help but read and feel the itch to be on the trail. Harris covers a lot - from Alaska, to Tasmania, to the Australian Outback, to rural Montana, to the far reaches of Peru. Each story is memorable, not just for descriptions of the treks, but also bits of history and odd facts, descriptions of the local towns and cultures, and great descriptions of the people he met along the way. Fun to read, it feels like a letter from an old friend. The author is a masterful and earnest storyteller, and his voice as an african-american outdoorsman is both unique and important.

[Zach Siegert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as an avid hiker hoping to learn about some new spots to plan excursions for myself in the years to come. However, I was able to learn a little bit more about why it is I hike after reading JR’s adventures. His explanation of how some people will come to the wilderness for the solitude and to truly get away from it all while others seek out certain parameters in a trek for the sense of accomplishment gave me a new perspective on how other people I meet while on trails may be hiking themselves.

That being said, while JR’s treks are magnificent, for someone who isn’t as obsessed with the details of how each boot goes in front of the other, I can imagine the stories getting a bit repetitive. However, even though hiking may seem like a rather repetitive hobby, his descriptions of the cultures surrounding his treks and the people he has met over the years bring a diversity within the somewhat monotonous claims that can be made regarding an author describing walks through the mountains.

[Eddie Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a sense of modern day adventure and wanderlust, this book will appeal to you. - It's a very easy read by an author who probably always finds himself as a minority in a variety of circles that he occupies, (Whether it be in the corporate world in the hustle and bustle of New York, or any of the remote villages he finds himself in from Alaska to Tasmania to South America.) - He tends to build and maintain relationships everywhere he goes. - He definitely values and appreciates our differences while not compromising his own identity. - He holds a few friends close, he embraces his solitude. - He has his own ideas of adventure but he's always willing to look at a new destination through a new set of eyes. - These are his own stories from his own experiences put together from his journals and personal reflections. - J. Robert Harris is a very likable fellow. - I imagine I'd enjoy a beer or three with him.

[lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. A sampling of a few of the adventures J R had in his over 50 years of traveling around the world looking for unique places to hike and canoe and camp, for days and weeks at a time, many times all on his own. His love for adventure, discovery of other places and civilizations, the history behind much of where he visits and his amazing ability to make good out of even the worst situations is inspiring!

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. JR does a fantastic job of bringing the reader into the moment while letting his voice and perspective shine through. I highly recommend to anyone looking for inspiration to hike or backpack, or escape the indoors.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. Robert Harris will take you along for decades of trekking the globe mostly solo. His exploration of wilderness areas started out in 1966 as a trip to Alaska in a Volkswagen and has continued for five decades.

[Ariya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I loved reading this memoir! It is full of adventure, astute observations (about people, life, wilderness trekking), and so much more. I was riveted from the beginning to the end. A truly inspiring read!

[suprio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful narration !

Informative, particularly of the less known unique places
Some insights to be wise, like decision making during challenging times on the trail ...
A warm story telling style!

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were interesting and he seems like he'd be an interesting guy to meet. His hikes and attitude were rather unique. The writing was pretty good, not great, and the book lacked cohesiveness.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.R. Harris writes in an uncomplicated, personable way. He is truly an explorer and his inquisitive nature really shines through. I was engaged throughout all his stories and excited to start each new adventure, and especially enjoyed the last chapter in Peru.

[Marcia Butman]

I loved this book.

[Mark Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic stories from a guy that lives life to its fullest. I was happy to have met him and listen to him speak. Very inspirational.

[Reginald · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. Robert Harris recreates backpacking trips, often done solo, that many would consider impossible. These adventures go well beyond treks, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, accomplished by mortals.

[Sandi Rubin-Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a hiker or are thinking about long distance hikes and adventures, this book is for you.

[Peter Kinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a “good-looking New Yorker”, has had many backpacking adventures. In this book, he curates 9 of these adventures, sharing his love of the outdoors. The first adventure is an automobile trip to Alaska. The others are all backpacking trips:
2. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska, U.S.A.
3. Auyuittuq National Park, Baffin Island, Canada
4. Southwest National Park, Tasmania, Australia
5. Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana, U.S.A.
6. Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada
7. French Alps crossing into the Valais Alps, France and Switzerland
8. West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
9. Apu Ausangate, Cusco Region, Peru
These adventures appear in chronological order, spanning a total 46 years. As the book progresses, we see him learn from his mistakes, and we see him develop as a better trip planner, a more skilled survivalist, and a smarter risk-taker. In most of the trips, he backpacks solo; however, in a few, he has a small number of companions. Each of these adventures is interesting, as he explains the natural and human history of the area he has explored. The book is well written, and a nice sense of humor permeates the narrative. At times, we are concerned for his safety; but, fortunately, we have the hindsight of knowing that he lives to tell the tale. Highly recommended.

[Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love hiking memoirs (most of them are a wonderful combination of inspiring and soothing) and this is a really enjoyable one. J Robert Harris has been on a incredible variety of hikes and he writes about them well. I wish the book was twice as long!

[Emily Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I bought it, and will keep it to re-read and savor.