Adventures in the Wilderness

Murray’s book was published in the spring of 1869, and to the Adirondacks that summer streamed thousands of tourists in what was immediately known as “Murray’s Rush.” Unfortunately, most of them had not read the book carefully. Unfortunately too, of all summers that one was unusually cold and wet. The result was an enormous outcry against Murray and his “lies.” Murray responded with vigor in his “Reply to His Calumniators,” published in the New-York Daily Tribune on October 23, 1869.

Murray wrote his celebrated book to introduce city-dwellers, ladies included, to the rewards of camping in the wilderness. But his book is not all balmy nights and campfire tales and invigorating air and beautiful views and physical delight. There are also storms and bugs and impenetrable tangle and moments of exhaustion. He offered practical advice on what to take in the way of clothing and equipment ( with equally practical advice on what to leave behind), the selection of guides, best months to go, how to get there, and a careful estimate of costs for a month in the woods.

This volume includes a reproduction of Adventures in the Wilderness, the complete text of Murray’s “Reply,” all the original and eighteen additional illustrations, an Editor’s Foreword that demonstrates the continuing relevance of Murray’s book for the present day camper and conservationist, and an Introduction that places Murray in historical perspective both as an individual and as a pioneer guide to the joys of the out-of-doors.