Reviewers and Supporters

People that have reviewed the manuscript or portions of it.

• Dr. Lee Frelich - Director for the University of Minnesota Forest Ecology Center reviewed the entire manuscript from a forest ecology & terrestrial viewpoint.

• Dr. Layne Adams - Alaskan large mammal researcher for USGS reviewed the entire manuscript and provided comments and corrections through-out. 

• Dr. David Mech - Senior Research Scientist and wolf researcher for USGS fact checked and reviewed sections on the history of wolves in Yellowstone Park.

• Dr. Peter Sorensen - Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota reviewed the aquatic science.  

• Dr. Yadvendradev Jhala -Wildlife Institute of India reviewed the chapter on wildlife and tigers in Satpura Tiger Reserve in India.

• Kevin Proescholdt - Wilderness advocate and coauthor of "Troubled Waters: The Fight for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness."

• K.J. Metcalf - The first Admiralty Island Wilderness and National Monument Ranger and Founding Member of the Friends of Admiralty Island.  

• Nancy Gibson - Naturalist and co-founder of the International Wolf Center in Northern Minnesota reviewed chapters on wolves.  

Please note that although I have consulted with many people, any remaining errors, misrepresentations, or inaccuracies are the fault of the author and I take full responsibility for them. I am thankful to all of the above for providing guidance, corrections and suggestions, as well as believing in this this project

Endorsements 

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"These are adventures that were once common in human history, but not in our time. The author brings a real and useful humility to his encounters with the larger world outside our walls; these are not macho and mindless encounters, but the opposite."

• Bill McKibben, author “The End of Nature,” Random House, 2006, and “Falter,” Holt Paperbacks, 2020

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From the boreal forest of Northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters where my home is, to the arctic tundra of the far north, and the wilds of Africa I have spent a lifetime photographing unique moments in nature including magnificent wolves, lions, and rhinos.  John Rust’s adventures encountering large predators in primeval nature takes me back into the wild and creates a feeling for place and terrain. While reading John's quite visually descriptive accounts with deep nature I felt that I would have very much liked to be at his side to photograph what he saw.  If you have never been to these places, you will feel the wonder, electricity, and awe of being in the wild and in presence of some of earth’s greatest predators.

• Jim Brandenburg, Award winning photographer having worked with the National Geographic Society for 30 years and author of “Brother Wolf: A Forgotten Promise” 

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"John Rust's journeys among America's most magnificent predators will leave you breathless. His observations are vivid and his insights penetrating. I'd rather go hiking with him in wild country, myself, but these pages are the next best thing."

• Sy Mongomery, author of “The Soul of an Octopus,” and “Spell of the Tiger: The Man-Eaters of Sundarbans”

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“Reading about John’s adventures in nature re-kindle our desire to stay connected with wild lands and their inhabitants. He writes in an infectious way. John’s words remind us of the need to act if we’ve been captive too long in our urban shackles. The adventures recounted by the author fill the need to find, to feel, to taste, to be exhausted by wild country,  and in the process feel fragile and small.”

• Dave Zentner, Past National President Izaak Walton League of America

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“This is a contemporary remake of the meaning of wilderness in an urbanized world. It portrays life on the landscape with large predators, of time in tranquil nature punctuated by suspense and danger. Woven throughout is a grand story about the ecology and value to humanity of primeval landscapes.“

• Lee E. Frelich,  Director, The University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology and author of “Forest Dynamics and Disturbance Regimes: Studies from Temperate Evergreen-Deciduous Forests,” Cambridge University Press, 2002

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“John Rust’s account of time spent living in the company of apex predators on magnificent public lands in North America and India is the perfect antidote to a misguided ideology that says economic utility is the sole measure of the value of wild places.  Rust is an exemplar of those who understand that spiritual sustenance is the ultimate prize to be gained from the wonder and mystery of life in the wilderness. We can only hope that his view will ultimately prevail.  Human survival depends on it. “

• Becky Rom, National Chair, Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters
  Past National Chair, Governing Council, The Wilderness Society (2002-2006)
  Governing Council Member, The Wilderness Society (1996-present)

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"Fueled by an unquenchable desire to experience nature as intimately as possible, John Rust has sought out the remotest, wildest corners of North America and the world, with often only pen and paper as his traveling companions. The result is these vignettes: a beautiful articulation of the elation, peace, and trepidation we feel when fully within nature’s grasp. Written with honesty, self-awareness, and a careful eye for detail, this was an engaging read."

• Jonathan C. Slaght, [Wildlife Biologist, Northeast Asia Coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society and] author of “Owls of the Eastern Ice: The Quest to Find and Save the World’s Largest Owl"

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Though I spent the best part of my scientific career as a biological chemist, over 55 years, investigating natural products from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes as sources of drugs for use in humans, I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the larger role of Nature as a source of inspiration in many biological and chemical areas, not just as a source of medicaments. This is a book for non-biologists/chemists as an example of what can be observed by an interested party (as mentioned below) who asks the question “Why does “X” occur?”, and then proceeds to investigate.

 The book consists of a very interesting series of vignettes and longer chapters describing in detail, the observations of a “modern day explorer” in areas of the globe where observation of Nature in all of its manifold glories leads one to ask the question “why did these organisms occur and evolve/survive?”

 Yes, Darwin did this in the Galapagos over 150 years ago, but these are the observations of a self-taught naturalist, asking questions from his observations, and then trying to determine the answers. One very interesting story, of a number, is the role of chemical agents from observation of Nature specifically from “Wings of Butterflies” where these compounds, building on other discoveries in the 1940-1950s time frame, led to a currently used series of both antibiotics and antitumor agents.

• Dr. David Newman,  [Former Director of the Natural Products Branch at the National Cancer Institute. Co-editor of “Chemical Biology of Natural Products” CRC Press, 2017]

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“Portraying a wild and wondrous world, John Rust’s essays will inspire readers to take up their own wilderness adventures. His tales of marvelous encounters with wolves and grizzlies convey a deep respect that overcomes the uninformed prejudice that these persecuted predators too often face.”

• Collette Adkins, Carnivore Conservation Director, Center for Biological Diversity

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“A book highlighting encounters with top predators on wilderness treks might seem like a fix for adrenaline junkies. But these contemplative essays read more like a Buddhist monk's pursuit of enlightenment. Writing with an engaging ‘in the moment’ style, John richly illuminates his day-by-day trail experiences with a feast of reflections, both deep dives into the natural and human history of the regions he visits and the greater Cosmos, putting our life here on earth into perspective.  As though answering William Blake's challenge "to see a world in a grain sand," John finds deep meaning and provocative insights along each step of the trail.”

• Paul Schurke, Arctic Explorer and co-author with Will Steger of “North to the Pole”

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It took me back. Watching a seemingly lifeless snowy rock start to move. Head raised to assess its surroundings followed by an arched back and then a turbulent shake of the body. Mystery solved - a wolf. Patience paid off for John as readers shivered along with his eloquent discovery. After watching wolves for 25 years in Yellowstone National Park, I just magically returned for the 26th time. Wilderness is an American endowment to use with great care and John has invested and won with each word. We need new wolf tales for our times to peel back the truth and inspire our future. John succeeded. 

• Nancy Gibson, Co-founder of the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota, and author of “Wolves,” Voyager Press, 1996.

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John Rust explores the basic properties of wilderness seeking – he is addressing an audience that is facing new social challenges, social media, and games that were not part of the world that I experienced when I first found wilderness.  Since my birth the population has expanded 3 ½ times.  The message is more difficult and thus more necessary.  John shows what is still possible, and he creates adventures that are both challenging and obtainable.  It is both example and challenge. If there is one great lesson above all others, it is the need to find the adventure that meets your personal goals and do it.  In these stories John shares the experience, but also the reward and that is the real promise of wilderness – a reward in the unexpected, the beautiful, the inspiring.

• Mike Link, Executive Director of the Audubon Center for the Northwoods – 1971 - 2010.
  Coauthor of “Going Full Circle: A 1,555 mile Walk Around the World’s Largest Lake,” Lake Superior Port Cities, 2012, and coauthor of “The Sky Islands of Southeast Arizona,” Voyager Wilderness Books, 1989

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John Rust has a zest for wild places, wilderness, and wildlife.  And not just any wildlife.  John has a fascination with predators, like grizzlies, wolves, and wild cats.  These kinds of predators put us humans in a unique position in the wild ecosystems in which they live today.  In such wild places, we humans are no longer the apex predator, but in a lower, subordinate position to those magnificent wild creatures.  This collection of essays takes the reader along with John on his journeys to experience the wild places and wild predators that inhabit them. 

• Kevin Proescholdt, Conservation Director for Wilderness Watch. Author of Glimpses of Wilderness and coauthor of Troubled Waters: The Fight for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

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In Exploring Wilderness, John Rust shows how even in the 21st century urban dwellers can have deeply meaningful wilderness experiences in terrains with large predators and survive on a small budget.  This book details some of the author’s greatest adventures while touching on fascinating accounts of the human history of early exploration and wildlife science.

• Peter Sorensen - Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota.  Founder and former director of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.

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John’s account of his nine-day Seymour Canal kayak paddle on Admiralty Island is a great introduction to learning and exploring in one of the richest ecosystems on earth. Seymour Canal can test the most experienced paddler with high seas, winds and 25 foot tides. When the paddler becomes the camper in the dense old growth rainforest with salmon runs in most every stream, the challenge becomes the  brown bears. Many have found this wilderness travel and wilderness education life changing. The true power of wilderness.

• K.J. Metcalf – The first Admiralty Island Wilderness and National Monument Ranger and Founding Member of Friends of Admiralty – promoting the Island’s scientific, educational and wilderness values. 

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Thank you so much John, for this narrated glimpse into wild places I may never personally see - places that are the “essence of 'wild,' where predators roam the landscape as freely today as they have in the ancient past.” I am envious! And very grateful for your wonderful eyewitness stories. I too love our wild spaces - and know it is crucial to protect our apex predators for these amazing places to remain vibrant and healthy.

• Lois Norrgard - National Field Organizer at Alaska Wilderness League

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On wilderness adventures ranging from Yellowstone to Alaska and beyond, John Rust has dealt with drenching rainstorms, frigid glaciers, whitecapped lakes and bays, and thick brush and timber where who knows what awaits. All of this for one central purpose: to experience North America’s greatest predators, from wolves and mountain lions to grizzly and brown bears, up close. Sometimes really close. Rust’s spare, unassuming prose eschews the heroic narrative to show how an unarmed human remains subordinate to these apex predators. As he ventures into some of the wildest reaches of the continent, we are treated to skin-tingling glimpses of nature at its most sublime and magnificent, and are reminded that our world is not complete without the keystone species at the top of the food chain.

• Frederick H. Swanson - author of “Where Roads Will Never Reach: Wilderness and Its Visionaries in the Northern Rockies,” and “Wonders of Sand and Stone: A History of Utah’s National Parks and Monuments”

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Amy and I have undertaken many extended backcountry adventures over the years including paddling the lush jungles of Amazon’s rainforests, circumnavigating Lake Superior by kayak, and dogsledding across North America. John Rust’s descriptions exploring the wild and encountering predators captures the very essence of wild nature. They bring to mind feeling cold water splash across one’s face while paddling in a storm, feeling bitter cold on ones fingertips when starting a fire when the air temperature is 20 below, and the awesomeness of being in nature and appreciating the solitude of wilderness and all that it has to offer. Time spent nourishing one’s soul in the Boundary Waters or any wilderness is priceless.

• Dave and Amy Freeman – National Geographic Adventurers of the Year 2014 and authors of “A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters”

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Acknowledgments/Supporters 

We are all shaped and influenced by the people around us.  This is also true with this manuscript. Thank you to the multitude of people, family, friends, and associates that have contributed directly, indirectly, or supported this endeavor.  No person lives in complete isolation, and so it is with this publication, which has been influenced by a multitude of other works and authors.  

 I am very grateful for my family. They have put up with my lifelong obsession with wilderness travel and my never-ending quest to observe predators in the wilderness. They have also gently suggested that I be prudent and cautious at times when my judgment was lacking. Without them I would not be here. I am thankful they decided to send a rescue boat when I was off track, overdue, low on food, and losing weight while kayaking in Katmai National Park. In particular, I am thankful for my wise daughter's foresight when she suggested I take an extra paddle while kayaking in Katmai. I am thankful for my resourceful, patient, and unflappable son who has unfailingly participated in many adventures that I have concocted and never has had a critical word despite the difficult conditions we experienced together. Without him, some of these adventures would not have been possible.

In addition to the people that have reviewed the manuscript for accuracy, below are the people that have contributed either directly or indirectly:

• Lyle Bradley - Anoka Senior High School biology teacher.  Lyle introduced me to the Teton Wilderness and the wilds of the American West. His leadership exposed dozens of high school students to the outdoors doing things that, without him, we could only dream about. Among them: rafting the Snake River, rock climbing the Black Hills, backpacking the Tetons, gaining confidence and experience on survival excursions, sleeping in a winter bivouac at a temperature of ‑20°, and searching for and excavating fossils in Wyoming. Lyle Bradley's western biology fieldtrips prepared many of us to go on to further challenges not only in the outdoors but in life.

• Dick Brown - Your tireless and lifelong effort to protect wildlife and all of nature.

• John Hickman - Initial edit and polished the prose.   

• Leroy Pomraning - Good friend that ignited in my spirit a love for winter trekking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Northern Minnesota. During our first winter trip into the Boundary Waters temperatures plummeted to ‑40 degrees (all temperatures referenced are Fahrenheit).  His experience and steady manner demonstrated that extreme winter conditions can be successfully navigated and enjoyed.

• Darby and Gerri Nelson - Lifelong teachers and conservationists.  For encouragement and believing that these experiences and observations while in nature were worth sharing with others.

• Collette Adkins - Carnivore Conservation Director for the Center for Biological Diversity. 

•  Fred Swanson- Author - Encouragement and advice .

•  Kevin Proescholdt - Lifelong advocacy and passion for protecting the Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesota and all wilderness areas around the country. 

• Swanand Deshpande  - Wilderness guide and naturalist in Satpura National Park. Swanand went out of his way to bring us to interesting areas of Satpura. His knowledge of Satpura's flora and fauna was crucial in providing background information and in our understanding what we were seeing.

Please note that although I have consulted with many people, any remaining errors, misrepresentations, or inaccuracies are the fault of the author and I take full responsibility for them. I am thankful to all of the above for providing guidance, corrections and suggestions, as well as believing in this this project.