The Ultimate Journey: Canada to Mexico Down the Continental Divide

by Eric & Tim Ryback

Book by Eric Ryback, Tim Ryback

207 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Ryback. Boy wonder carries 65 pound backpack on the fledgling Continental Divide Trail. Wears blue jeans, heavy boots, external frame pack, freezes beneath a tarp, carries 16 days of food, tolerates serious depression, never mentions anything about town stops, all done in a crisp, fresh writing style way beyond his years. Thanks to my sister-in-law V8 for loaning me this long out-of-print book.

["Cyril' (David · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half was the best. With the exception of his interactions with his fascinating brother (who left half way through the hike), there is almost no human interaction recorded in his journey. Granted, there was not much available, but even the few instances in which he came across people were minimized. I would have been interested to know of how he picked up supplies at the Ranger stations, and his interactions with them, both then, at the debriefing after the hike. But the book is a fascinating detailed account of the trail and his hike, the first ever thru-hike on the CDT. And he opens up his soul, sharing his inner self, whether enthralled in amazement, or falling into the depths of depression.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, although not as well as "The High Adventure of Eric Ryback". The writing was still good, but somehow I just liked the first book the most.

[Terry Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was bed time reading aloud to my son. We are both backpackers. This was a great adventure.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just getting going on this one, but so far it is a very good travel journal. Two young men (Eric and Tim Ryback, ages 20 and 18 respectively) begin the VERY FIRST documented thru-hike of the Continental Divide... the year? 1972. They didn't have the hi-tech gear of today.

[Perry Mowbray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing, and honest, story of a very long walk .

So many pages reminded us of our walk on the Bibbulmun Track, though the Bibbulmun is a thousand times easier :)

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Eric Ryback.