Amazon Woman

A well-paced tale of outdoor adventure. Daring readers will be inspired to overcome similar challengesand armchair travelers won't be disappointed. -- Kirkus Reviews The same courage and relentlessness that propelled Darcy Gaechter down the Amazon also powers this terrific book. Thanks to writing that is both lyrical and self-reflective, Amazon Woman manages to become at once an inspiring adventure story and a deeply intimate memoir. -- Eli Saslow, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and author of Rising out of Hatred A roller coaster thrill ride, both physically and emotionally. Yet, riding rapids pales in comparison to having to face down the darkest elements of human nature. A riveting definition of true fortitude. Readers will be inspired by her audacious sense of adventure and courage, and when combined with her vulnerability, Darcy becomes a Wonder Woman for the ages. -- Julie Moss, Ironman Hall of Fame athlete and author of Crawl of Fame Darcys trip down the Amazon serves as a reminder that the beauty of life is not in the destination, its in the journey. Darcy is a role model and an example of what you can accomplish when you follow your dreams. -- Tejay Van Garderen, professional road racing cyclist Darcy Gaetcher navigates Class V whitewater and evades armed drug cartels while uncovering the deep and complex roots of her own passion for adventure. As the first woman to paddle the Amazon River from source to sea, she leverages extreme skill and endurance against refreshing humility. Amazon Woman shares a remarkable journey that runs, like the river itself, with both turbulence and grace. -- Caroline Van Hemert, author of The Sun is a Compass

Darcy Gaechter is the first and only woman to kayak the entire length of the Amazon River. For the past fifteen years, she has been considered one of the worlds best female kayakers, leading expeditions in the continental United States, Alaska, Ecuador, Colorado, Idaho, Bhutan, Nepal and Kenya. A speaker with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and the Colorado Whitewater Association, Darcy lives in Colorado.