One of my heroes, and a great loss. I met him once briefly, no more, really, than shaking hands, exchanging names, and saying I had enjoyed the 3 of his books I had read (1000-mile Summer, Walk through Time, Complete Walker early edition). Unfortunately, I didn't have any of them in hand to get autographed (this was on the trail in a place to meet him that had been pre-announced).

Great writer. Influenced this guy for sure. During my reading of The Compleat Walker, I went straight thru his other works. He could light the fires of a reader's imagination.

Colon Fletcher had a style of writing that expressed his feelings about being in the wilderness so most everyone could understand. For all the details of gear minutely reported on in his books, he never lost sight of the wonder and enjoyment self sufficiency simple nature could provide him. I too read those three books, and also "The man in the Cave" (Colon's favorite, I'm told). We will miss him. Times have changed for me now. Also the spirit of backpacking is no longer so new and the gear technology has exploded to the point of overwhelming. The time was right when he wrote of his independence in the wilderness. He was appreciated my many.

Aside from my Dad––who wouldn't let me go on any solo-trips––which only encouraged me more––there was Mr. Fletcher, who's book I idolized, along with Jean craighead goerge's MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN . . . these two books made me dream of mountain adventures and many years later, with six john muir trails under my feet and other holy moments in the sierra, I'll be thinking of you, Colin, when I reach that next pass.

Mr.Fletcher's Complete Walker served as my backpacking bible during my high school years in the early 70's. The principles and practices of lightweight backcountry travel that he expounded gave a new beginning to low-impact camping. Colin upheld and advocated very important and needed ethics to sustain our wild landscapes.
I later read his Walk through Time and loved it.
I believe that Colin's ideas were very consistent with the early explorers Tilman and Shipton. I would also guess that his writing of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau influenced Edward Abbey.
I am truly saddened to hear that his passing was precipitated by the automobile, how terrible for someone who made walking as appealing as great poetry!

Colin Fletcher was my "Moses"! With scant intro
from Cub Scouts and Marine Corps, upon reading his "Compleat" led me to my complete "gear-up" and
subsequent 20+ yrs. of blissful camping and hiking. Every one should know this great man's wilderness philosophy, and I recommend all his work as great reads! He is missed!