Summary
"Tracks" is the memoir of Robyn Davidson, an Australian woman who, in 1977, embarked on a 1,700-mile trek across the Australian Outback with four camels and her dog. The journey begins in Alice Springs, where Davidson, with just six dollars and a dog named Diggity, sets out to capture wild camels and train them for her ambitious expedition. She initially knows next to nothing about camels or desert survival, relying on her determination and a thirst for independence to guide her.
Davidson finds herself in a series of colorful yet challenging situations as she grapples with the harsh realities of the Outback. Encounters with eccentric characters, both black and white, shape her understanding of the landscape and her own capabilities. She works for a tyrannical camel owner named Kurt, learning the ropes of camel management amidst his constant berating and high expectations. She also forms close bonds with Aboriginal people, whose profound knowledge of the land and connection to it offer her new perspectives on life and the world around her.
As Davidson prepares for the journey, she faces a series of setbacks and hardships. She struggles to secure funding, build the necessary gear, and train the camels. She grapples with loneliness, fear, and self-doubt. Yet, she perseveres, driven by a deep-seated desire to test her limits and escape the constraints of modern society. A chance meeting with photographer Rick Smolan leads to a deal with National Geographic, providing her with the financial support she needs but also introducing a layer of complexity to her journey as she struggles to reconcile her desire for solitude with the demands of publicity.
The trek itself is a grueling test of endurance and resilience. Davidson faces scorching heat, limited water, and treacherous terrain. She battles with stubborn camels, dodges aggressive bulls, and contends with the constant threat of wild animals and poisonous snakes. Along the way, she confronts her own inner demons, shedding burdens of the past and forging a new sense of self. She learns to rely on her instincts, trust her animals, and find solace in the vast emptiness of the desert.
Davidson's relationship with Diggity deepens as the loyal dog becomes her constant companion and protector. The loss of Diggity to a poison bait is a devastating blow, forcing Davidson to confront her own mortality and vulnerability. Despite her grief, she finds the strength to continue, pushing onward towards the Indian Ocean.
As Davidson nears the end of her journey, she wrestles with fame, culture shock, and the realization that her life has been irrevocably changed. Encounters with tourists and the media force her to confront the romanticized image of the "camel lady" that has been created around her. Ultimately, she reaches the coast, finding solace in the beauty of the landscape and the knowledge that she has accomplished something extraordinary. However, she realizes that the true reward of her journey lies not in reaching a destination but in the transformative process she underwent along the way.