Pacific Crest Trail Books
The Pacific Crest Trail runs from the Mexican border to Canada via three states - California, Oregon, and Washington. It's about five hundred miles longer than its eastern cousin, the Appalachian Trail. That, along with the existence or threat of snow along some portions of the trail during much of the year make big mileage days a necessity for those who want to complete a "thru hike" - an end-to-end journey within a single year. Fortunately, the trail is flatter than the AT, though much of it is at far higher elevations. Despite the jaw dropping scenery, the lack of shelters, company, and long distances between water and supply points make the PCT a challenge few surmount. As a consequence, there are many fewer books about the PCT than the AT. I'll use the space below to review a few of them.
 
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Eleanor Guilford hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and it took her more than twenty years to complete the trail. She typically spent about a week to ten days hiking each summer, though once she retired she devoted substantially more time to finishing up her trek. She began with sections in the High Sierra, and jumped around from southern California to the northwest as opportunity and interest dictated. Her piecemeal approach (beginning in 1966 and concluding in 1989) means that One Hundred Mile Summers (2005) lacks some of the forward propulsion of the typical thru-hiker saga, but this book has other rewards. She is unfailingly enthusiastic about and appreciative of her journeys, and seems to rejoice in nearly every turn of the trail. As an aside, I also admire the fact that she got to and from most of the trailheads using public transportation. Overall, an enjoyable read. |
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Alfred Wohlpart and childhood friend Joseph Piller thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 1999. Wohlpart - with help from his son James - is the narrator, and The Trail Home [2003] is liberally sprinkled with bits of his past - memories of a childhood in war-torn Germany, family, academia, and most of all of being dismissed from his last job. There are also a few helpings of his personal views on a variety of subjects, but most mesh well with the story and all help explain his motivations and actions. Otherwise, the story is told in chronological fashion, with plenty of detail about the places they passed through and the challenges they faced, along with the occasional triumph and epiphany. The writing is certainly vivid - almost to the point of distraction - but definitely enjoyable. |
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