In Journeys North, legendary trail angel, thru hiker, and former PCTA board chair Scout spins compelling tales of hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007 as they walk from Mexico to Canada.
That year terrible snow storms rocked the Canadian border starting the last days in September.
Barney (Scout) Mann hiked with wife Sandy (Frodo) Mann, and recounts fascinating stories of others they traveled alongside that season.
For me, Blazer was the most interesting.
The book is unusual. Not your standard step-by-step trail journal.
Instead the time line jumps forward and back along the trail, using PCT anecdotes to illustrate bigger life lessons.
If asked to recommend just one book on the PCT, Journeys North would be it. The best starting point for a hiker considering it.
Other excellent and inspiring reads include:
Barney Scout Mann has hiked the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails. He has been board chair of the Pacific Crest Trail Association and is president of the Partnership for the National Trails System. Mann has been recognized with a Lowell Thomas Journalism Award and is the coauthor of The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America’s Wilderness Trail and author of The Continental Divide Trail: Exploring America’s Ridgeline Trail. He and his wife, Sandy, live in San Diego and have hosted more than 7,000 PCT hikers. Visit him online at BarneyScoutMann.com.
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