The Pacific Crest Trail is a thin strip of land that stretches from Mexico to Canada. To keep the book small, Bodnar kept out any unnecessary fluff. An anthology of stories provided by a motley collection of PCT hikers. This book is the comprehensive Pacific Crest Trail guide book. There’s no better quick reference book for the trail. Check out the books! Despite months of research, thousands of dollars poured into their gear, and countless hours dedicated to grinding away on the StairMaster, most h. What books should I read if I liked Wild? 4 min read, March 30, 2020 It’s the variety of content, the author’s dichotomous mind, and the vibrant imagery that make this such an odd, but surprisingly enchanting coffee table book. Erin and her husband Carl sold their home and began a life of adventure, first traveling abroad and then deciding to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. As far as content, that’s the jist of it. The author begins her Pacific Crest Trail hike with the experience of previously hiking the Appalachian Trail. Reading another hiker’s story can rekindle a lost love for hiking and spark memories that haven’t been thought about in years. It’s difficult to review a memoir without giving much of the story away. 6 min read, You'll be the first to know about new styles and sales, © 2021 CloudLine Apparel. Austin lives in the Pacific Northwest where he enjoys hiking and backpacking in the Olympic and Cascade mountains. National Geographic Maps Pacific Crest Trail: [Map Pack Bundle] Sale Price: 113.96 Original Price: 129.95 sale Designated as one of the first two national scenic trails in 1968, the Pacific Crest Trail is a continuous footpath of more than 2,650 miles—from the Mexican border to the Canadian border through California, Oregon, and Washington. A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple's Trial by Trail. This tale is one of poetry in motion. The author is honest in his vulnerability and rejoices at the compassion he finds, unexpectedly, in others. It’s a simple and to the point quick reference guide that is essentially a physical alternative to the digital Guthook’s PCT app. Provides a complete elevation profile for the entire trail. Sign up to receive the latest from Better Hiker. CRAIG'S PCT PLANNER: Craig's PCT Planner is a resource that allows you to plot a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike by inputting a starting date, starting point, ending point, hiking pace, hiking day length (in hours), and how much time to add for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained. This is a fascinating read for those who have not hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, and those who have never thru-hiked any long-distance trail before. If you are a couple dreaming of a journey on the Pacific Crest Trail than this book is a must-read.Find a Copy, The Pacific Crest Trail is the classic volume on thru-hiking the PCT. $24.95 (1) 1 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. The author Tim Voors was known by the trail name Van Go on the PCT, partially due to his habit of leaving his watercolor paintings at trail registers and gifting them to his fellow hikers. Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike #1: Intro and Gear, 9 Quotes from Female Explorers You Should Know, The 20 Best Continental Divide Trail Books, John Muir’s Letters Part 3: Self-Reliance, John Muir’s Letters Part 2: Lonely in Yosemite, President Theodore Roosevelt's Speech at Yellowstone, Ralph Waldo Emerson's Argument for Nature. Each year, thousands of backpackers take to the Pacific Crest Trail with the intention of successfully thru-hiking the 2,650-mile footpath that extends from Mexico to Canada. Do PCT memoirs tell you everything you need to know about the trail? This is even more true when many years have gone by when much of a thru-hiker’s own experiences may have been lost to the sands of time. They’ll also learn from the mistakes of others, and aspiring hikers can use trail guides to properly prepare for their own upcoming PCT journey. Not for those interested in trail and hiking specifics. The best course of action is to always take the steps necessary to avoid injury or sickness in the first place. Incredible photos paired with a captivating story. Find a Copy, Dances with Marmots depicts a PCT thru-hike through the eyes of New Zealander George Spearing. The essential, cut-to-the-chase handbook for hiking and backpacking the PCT. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon. March 02, 2017 A portion of the proceeds funds the Pacific Crest Trail Association. The meat of this guide is the trail segment descriptions. There are few who can claim to know the trail better than its author. Better Hiker is reader-supported. This book spawned a Hollywood movie and is probably the reason you even know the Pacific Crest Trail exists. Spectacular historic and contemporary photography. Aspiring hikers will find inspiration and excitement in the memoirs and anecdotes of those who have already hiked the trail. Read the author’s intro here. If you are a father who has always wanted to thru-hike with a son or daughter or a child who's dreaming of sharing an epic adventure with parents this book is one to grab. One of the best parts of his book is meeting the characters he hikes with along the way. The Best Pacific Crest Trail Book to Have While Hiking. The Ballard's provide helpful information on their pre-hike planning with recommendations for gear, food, and a reading list of books to help plan a thru-hike. A relatable tale of hopelessness, reckless abandon, and truth. Carry one with you and peel the pages off as you go along. A gripping and well-written account as told by an experienced long-distance backpacker and avid writer. It is a relatable tale of a young man fed up with the corporate world who embarks upon a soul-searching journey. Our top picks standout for their professional composition, intriguing stories, and sheer beauty. Written by three-time Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker and co-creator of the Guthook’s Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail Paul Bodnar, the Pocket PCT is truly an expert’s guide. Start here for basic PCT hiking information. This official book celebrates the history, beauty, and importance of the West Coast’s most iconic hiking trail. Reads like a novel. The story and characters outshine the trail itself. Detailing the journey of a 70-year old hiker, this book provides a unique perspective that aseparates it from the other memoirs on our list. An all-around excellent read paired with numerous beautiful photos. This is not a comprehensive guide that you want to use to study and plan your thru-hike with. It is full of hilarious back stories about individual's trail names and his own blunders on the trail.Find a Copy, Journey on the Crest is another classic from the 80s. Unique woodcut illustrations give this book its characteristic look. Published in conjunction with the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is 90% mental. Angela and Duffy take turns writing chapters as they tell their story giving the reader insight into the unique experience of a PCT thru-hike as viewed by husband and wife. Rich with struggles, adversity, bad decisions, and a quirky ensemble of hikers, this is a book you will either love to hate, or hate to love. An annually updated guide that was at one time the only readily available comprehensive guide to the trail. The guide has been designed in such a way as to be useful to thru-hikers, section hikers, and ambitious day hikers. But this book is broken up into manageable bite-sized portions of text, and the images are rich and eye-catching. The lengthy introduction was written by Cheryl Strayed, the author of Wild. It’s all mixed together quite well, and makes for a fascinating read. In the opening pages, the author outlines what a hiker will likely experience on the PCT. Past hikers can relive the trail through the lens of another. Trail legends and veterans offer PCT hiking advice: “Yogi” Jackie McDonnell (Double-Triple Crowner with 20,000 miles) “BINK” Scott Williamson (Triple Crowner with 46,000 PCT miles) “Anish” Heather Anderson (Double-Triple Crowner, with fastest known times on PCT, AT, AZT) “Scrub” Christopher Burke (AT and PCT hiker) Don’t expect a comprehensive trail guide. His book, Journeys North, tells the compelling story of six hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007 as they walk from Mexico to Canada. A brilliant mix of watercolors, photographs, and philosophy. Each chapter begins and ends with popular resupply points. Pacific Crest Trail Association 1331 Garden Highway, Suite 230 Sacramento, CA 95833; 916-285-1846 main 916-285-1865 fax; PCTA is a 501(c)(3). A day-by-day trail journal of a couple’s Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike as written by yours truly and my hiking partner, who is now my wife. She soon discovers the PCT has many unique challenges to throw at her. The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail by Mark Larabee , Barney Scout Mann , et al. Although he had never done any hiking or backpacking George decided to take 5 months off from his job as a firefighter to hike from Mexico to Canada. The best books about the Pacific Crest Trail span the gamut of non-fiction genres. Broken down into 101 stages, the PCT is divided into digestible chunks that can be examined in short bursts or easily referenced when you’re actually out on the trail. As the only illustrated book officially published with the Pacific Crest Trail Association, The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America’s Wilderness Trail is backed by credentials that no other book on the subject can match. Whether you are currently prepping for a future thru-hike or just dreaming about someday checking the PCT off your bucket list, we've collected 11 books about the Pacific Crest Trail to add to your reading list. Do you need a guide book to hike the PCT? His playful watercolors are a highlight of The Great Alone. 416 pages, basically a textbook on hiking the PCT. The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America’s Wilderness Trail is the third book in the bestselling trail series by Rizzoli. It inspires creative thinkers, fuels adventurous spirits, gives hope to overworked nine-to-fivers, and exposes new souls to the breathtaking scenery of our public lands. Sure it was probably published before you were born and since 1984 the trail has changed and gear is lighter, but it is still regarded by many as a must read for prospective thru-hikers. Much of it is a history lesson. Improve your knowledge of the trail, its history, and the flora and fauna that call it home with this ultra-comprehensive guide book series. They represent immense passion and dedication toward this inspiring trail. Hundreds of contemporary trail photos and previously unreleased historic images adorn the pages with their beauty and charm. A husband and wife tackle their mid-life crises together with a five-month long trek through the woods. Compatible with Halfmail’s maps and Guthook’s PCT app. It also covers plenty of trail tips and strategies for a successful Pacific Crest thru-hike.Find a Copy, The author of Skywalker has written several books about his adventures thru-hiking not only the PCT but also the Appalachian Trail and the Camino De Santiago. A bit technical for some. Though they didn’t receive a top recommendation, they’re still great reads and come highly recommended by readers. From gear, to food, to maps and permits. This book portrays the internal struggles of undertaking a PCT thru-hike. PCT memoirs tend to give a solid representation of the mental and physical struggles of the trail, but they usually don’t offer much in the way of logistics. From hiking guides to memoirs to photo collections, they all have something unique to share. A bit of that magic is captured in each of the Pacific Crest Trail books that have been published over the decades. If you want bare-bones information about the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail without all the long, detailed descriptions, the Pacific Crest Trail Data Book is exactly what you’re looking for. After reviewing dozens of books about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail we have compiled a list of the best for your reading pleasure. We may earn a small commission when you buy products through links on our site. Cleverly designed to be carried in a backpack, the book is compact, lightweight, and has a mildly waterproof cover. Most PCT thru-hikers set off in the spring from the Mexican border northbound (NOBO) in the hope to arrive in Canada before the fall cold and snow. Has Cheryl Strayed written PCT books other than Wild? The Pocket PCT is a page by page playbook of the PCT’s elevation profile that is punctuated with the most important points of interest: such as water sources, tent sites, and towns. Karen Berger, author of the best-selling Hiking and Backpacking: A Trailside Guide, has hiked over 15,000 miles, including the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. 4501 Shilshole Ave NW #205, Seattle, WA 98107 Powered by Shopify, Dances With Marmots - A Pacific Crest Trail Adventure, A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple's Trial by Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail, Halfway Home: The Story of a Father and Son Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Skywalker: Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail, Journey On the Crest: Walking 2600 Miles from Mexico to Canada, Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart: An Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail, Hikertrash: Life on the Pacific Crest Trail, Ways to Care for the Environment on the Trail, 8 Ways for the Outdoorsy to Stay Sane During Quarantine. Wonderful mix of images and narrative themes. There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing a PCT book. It’d be easy to skip right past the text and spend hours perusing through the captivating pictures. Weighing in at 4.9 ounces and measuring 5″ by 8″ by 1/4″, this book can fit inside of your pants pocket, a hipbelt pocket, or easily get lost in the void of your backpack’s primary chute. The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail. A fantastic one that is similar to Wild’s story, but told from a male perspective, is The Trail Provides, our top memoir pick. Tax ID#: 33-0051202 A simple and easy to use guide book for Washington State's section of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). That's when she decided to embark on a thru-hike of the PCT. Although it is a good idea to read a guide book before hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, it is certainly not required. Each has received numerous chart-topping reviews and has unique traits that make them stand out from the rest. Overall, it’s a great read. This is meant to be taken and used on trail. She introduces the trail, providing her own unique perspective that fans of her book or movie will get a kick out of. Provides more intriguing philosophical insight than most. Those that lack the ability for one reason or another to actually hike the trail can get close to the experience by flipping through the pages of prose that privileged backpackers put together. Pacific Crest Trail Books and Maps (11 results) Products (11) Articles Filter. Bill Walker is the author of Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (2008), as well as Skywalker–Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail (2010). And you don't have to be a thru-hiker, there is also plenty of info for day hikers.Find a Copy, Halfway Home follows a father and son duo on their PCT hike. Used in conjunction with maps and books such as the PCT Atlas (for finding water sources) you will enjoy this book. This ensemble story unfolds as these half-dozen hikers--including Barney and his wife, Sandy--trod north, slowly forming relationships and revealing … The Pacific Crest Trail is a source of real-life fairy tales and many incredible books. An easy read filled with humor and insights from the trail, as one review said, "you will not regret reading this book." Unfortunately, as is all too common her family and the school weren't providing the support she needed. If you read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and loved it then these lesser-known books about the Pacific Crest Trail will be right up your alley. Pacific Crest Trail Oregon & Washington takes you through these two northwestern states and drops you at Canada’s door. Trail mileage, camping sites, water sources, and town info are all neatly organized for the reader to absorb. It gives a good overlay for dayhikes as well as getting in shorter sections of the 500+ miles of the trail here. Wilderness Press publishes the most complete guides to the PCT. We’ve listed 15 more books about the Pacific Crest Trail that we think you’ll love. The exquisite images and trivia-filled text make it an interesting conversation piece. The resupply points are loaded with phone numbers and addresses of vital stopping points like post offices and grocery stores. Clear color maps, reference points, and town details included. Each year, thousands of backpackers take to the Pacific Crest Trail with the intention of successfully thru-hiking the 2,650-mile footpath that extends from Mexico to Canada. When it comes to the mental grit needed to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, author Zach Davis tells it like it is in this need-to-know guide. This is a great guide for section hikers interested in backpacking particular areas of the PCT. Join legendary trail angel, thru hiker, and outdoor advocate Barney Scout Mann as he shares tales from his incredible journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. It will keep you informed and on trail. April 14, 2020 ... Guide books. 2020 Banff Mountain Book Competition Finalist in Adventure Travel In Journeys North, legendary trail angel and thru hiker Barney Scout Mann spins a compelling tale of six hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007 as they walk from Mexico to Canada. In the first part of the book, you will get useful tips from experienced PCT hikers and learn backpacking and hiking basics. More of the information becomes outdated with each passing year. Designed by Webfoot Websites | Powered by Better Hikers. I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool For Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail by Gail StorEy. | Oct 11, 2016 4.7 out of 5 stars 100 The Pacific Crest Trail, also known as the PCT, is America’s second longest trail, stretching from Mexico to Canada through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Cheryl Strayed has not written a PCT book other than Wild, but she did write a lengthy introduction that can be read in our top overall pick, The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America’s Wilderness Trail. To be frank, The Great Alone is an unorthodox choice for the best coffee table book. The book was also a solid reminder to create a list for the following three things: –“I am thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail because…” –“When I successfully thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, I will…” –“If I give up on the Pacific Crest Trail, I will…” Sprinkled with interesting bits of wisdom. Filled with stunning archival images and contemporary photos. The book is front-end heavy in terms of the trail and the content. Prepare accordingly. Pacific Crest Trail Data Book: Mileages, Landmarks, Facilities, Resupply Data, and Essential Trail Information for the Entire Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Canada 2014 Benedict "Gentle Ben" Go The Pacific Crest Trail - A Hiker's Companion 2014 Karen Berger Daniel Smith Almost There : Stories and Musings along the Pacific Crest Trail 2015 This journey is filled with struggles, and from each struggle, the author emerges with a new nugget of wisdom, a piece of truth that could only be learned through hardship. The second part of the book contains information about the trail and towns near the trail. This is one of a collection of hiking guides for the PCT. The Trail Provides is one of the truest and most common sayings you will hear thru-hikers say to one another on long-distance trails. Descriptive prose is woven into the fact-laden text, giving it life that makes the reader wish they were out on the trail to experience the magic first hand. Fire. They have already learned these lessons, and as such may be frustrated by the author’s ignorance, especially in the beginning pages. There are a few sections of this book that you may want to gloss over if you’ve read similar memoirs, such as Voors’ gear list, but his anecdotes and philosophical daydreams are far more enthralling than most of the rubbish you’ll come across in the bargain bin PCT memoirs. Read on to see our detailed reviews of each book below. In 2008 Aspen was beginning her freshman year of college when she was raped by another student. You’ll truly feel as if the author is speaking to your as his friend, telling you about his journey simply because he wants to share the experience with you. Girl in the Woods is the true story of Aspen Matis. Price: $40.00 The book includes helpful info on leaving no trace, their gear list, trail recipes, and 6 detailed maps.Find a Copy. Each book on this list is worthy of your attention. For that, scroll back up to our pick for the best trail guide. The Best Pacific Crest Trail Book Overall, The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America’s Wilderness Trail. Learn more. Instead, what we have here is a succinct guide containing only the most essential information that any hiker needs to know while they are hiking the trail. The PCT runs 2650 miles from Mexico to Canada and draws thousands of hikers for day hikes and thru-hikes each year. And, compelled by the magic of the PCT, there tend to be bits of harmless, yet fantastic fiction mixed into the stories found within their pages. It’s more of a memoir which usually would be too text-heavy to really consider leaving on your coffee table. You’ll be rooting for the hero of this journey. These are our five favorite books about the Pacific Crest Trail. Trekking The Pacific Crest Trail is a comprehensive guide for hiking the PCT. The authors of Mountaineers Books' "Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail" series offer their top tips to help you prepare for their respective sections of the trail in Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. *Ratings are based on Amazon customer reviews at the time of publication and can change. Pacific Crest Trail Southern California begins at the Mexican border and leads into the High Sierra where Pacific Crest Trail Northern California begins. It's love at first sight and by mile 445 and just 30 days into the hike they tie the knot.Find a Copy, Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart is written by Carrot Quinn who is an experienced and successful thru-hiker. Hilarious and frustrating, this memoir encapsulates the younger thru-hikers who embark upon the journey without a care in the world. You're beginner's guide to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. If you liked Wild and want to experience similar stories, check out our list of Pacific Crest Trail memoirs below. Adventurous storytelling with tips and tricks. The Best Pacific Crest Trail Coffee Table Book. They’re a useful navigation tool when on the trail and provide perspective when you’re reading the guide at home. It’s the trail breakdown that serves as the main course of this guide, however. Readers will be left with more questions than answers. A perfect gift for anyone who loves the outdoors this book is full of beautiful pictures, history, trail tips, and even a foldout map of the trail. A tale of the trail from an older perspective. It follows the 2013 National Outdoor Book Award winner, The Appalachian Trail, and New York Times bestseller America’s Great Hiking Trails. Be honest, you know you want to read it, or, perhaps, you already have. The best Pacific Crest Trail books span the gamut of non-fiction genres. Buy your copy of our Pacific Crest Trail book Find a Copy, One Couple's Trial by Trail is two perspectives on the Pacific Crest Trail in one book. Instead of describing the details of this book, we’re going to describe who we think will like it, and who likely may not enjoy it.