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Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern America
In the early 1970s, a young, novice hiker had an audacious idea. Ron Strickland decided to create a 1,200-mile footpath across three national parks and seven national forests to link Glacier National Park's alpine meadows with Olympic National Park's wilderness coast. Enchanted by all that magnificent backcountry, he enlisted volunteers, lobbied landowners, and dug dirt. Four decades later in 2009, President Obama made the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail an official part of our national heritage. In this book Ron reveals how he and the volunteers bucked both brush and bureaucracy to establish one of the world's most beautiful trails.
Ron Strickland is a master storyteller whose seven previous oral histories and guidebooks showcase some of our most fascinating regions and people. In Pathfinder he intersperses colorful portraits of memorable trail characters, insider's tips about favorite hikes, and news about the coming Renaissance of hiking. "The adventure," he says, "is just beginning."
Ron Strickland is a master storyteller whose seven previous oral histories and guidebooks showcase some of our most fascinating regions and people. In Pathfinder he intersperses colorful portraits of memorable trail characters, insider's tips about favorite hikes, and news about the coming Renaissance of hiking. "The adventure," he says, "is just beginning."
- GenresNonfiction
245 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
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107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 20, 2011
Having hiked in the Appalachians from North Georgia to New England, I have often longed to walk the full length of the Appalachian Trail. After reading Ron Strickland's latest book, Pathfinder, I think I'll skip it and take on the Pacific Northwest Trail instead.
Ron's love of the wilderness and life on the trail shines through in this book. More than that, his wry humor provides a piquant seasoning to his tales of people with whom he has shared the trail over the years.
I consider Pathfinder a special treasure among outdoor books because Ron brings to it a unique voice based on a deep knowledge of American history, an abiding fascination with outdoor people, old-timers and backwoodsmen (as evidenced by Ron's oral histories like Alaskans, Vermonters, Whistlepunks and Geoducks, Shank's Mare and River Pigs and Cayuses) and decades of experience blazing long-distance trails the old-fashioned way.
Ron has done a superlative job of capturing the flavor of the Northwest and the essence of life on the trail in a way that awakens (or reawakens) in the reader a deep and powerful longing for freedom and adventure. Few writers could have taken on such a task with such enthusiasm, and no one could have done it better.
Worthy of special praise are the lovely pen-and-ink illustrations by Elise Zoller. These fine drawings show great and small scenes of outdoor life in a way that lends both authenticity and emotional depth. In that regard they reminded me of Arseniev's field sketches from the naturalist classic, DERSU THE TRAPPER.
Ron's love of the wilderness and life on the trail shines through in this book. More than that, his wry humor provides a piquant seasoning to his tales of people with whom he has shared the trail over the years.
I consider Pathfinder a special treasure among outdoor books because Ron brings to it a unique voice based on a deep knowledge of American history, an abiding fascination with outdoor people, old-timers and backwoodsmen (as evidenced by Ron's oral histories like Alaskans, Vermonters, Whistlepunks and Geoducks, Shank's Mare and River Pigs and Cayuses) and decades of experience blazing long-distance trails the old-fashioned way.
Ron has done a superlative job of capturing the flavor of the Northwest and the essence of life on the trail in a way that awakens (or reawakens) in the reader a deep and powerful longing for freedom and adventure. Few writers could have taken on such a task with such enthusiasm, and no one could have done it better.
Worthy of special praise are the lovely pen-and-ink illustrations by Elise Zoller. These fine drawings show great and small scenes of outdoor life in a way that lends both authenticity and emotional depth. In that regard they reminded me of Arseniev's field sketches from the naturalist classic, DERSU THE TRAPPER.
March 21, 2015
Despite the subtitle, this isn't much about Strickland's work to get the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail put together, at least not in a focused manner. Rather, the book is a collection of ruminations and anecdotes, historical and environmental musings, and a few recommendations. It felt pleasantly amorphic, and Strickland's writing style was engaging and low-key.
One quote, from early on, that amused me in the current Wild context:
"In 1971, The High Adventure of Eric Ryback exploded into print[.] Soon even non-hikers grooved to the teen's tale of walking from Canada to Mexico on the Pacific Crest Trail. Eric Ryback became a cultural hero to his peers, and for a few wonderful years backpacking was 'in' as hiker fashions went mainstream.
However, Seattle's Old Guard conservationists were horrified by the influx of longhairs into their bailiwick. Instead of applauding Ryback, they excoriated him for exaggerating the number of miles he had walked." Etcetera. Here and elsewhere, Strickland reminds the reader that long-distance backpacking a.) goes in and out of fashion, like most things, and b.) needs the influx of "newbies" to help keep the trails alive. (Oh, and that people tend towards conservatism - in the "good old days" sense - in most things, long-distance hiking not excluded.)
One quote, from early on, that amused me in the current Wild context:
"In 1971, The High Adventure of Eric Ryback exploded into print[.] Soon even non-hikers grooved to the teen's tale of walking from Canada to Mexico on the Pacific Crest Trail. Eric Ryback became a cultural hero to his peers, and for a few wonderful years backpacking was 'in' as hiker fashions went mainstream.
However, Seattle's Old Guard conservationists were horrified by the influx of longhairs into their bailiwick. Instead of applauding Ryback, they excoriated him for exaggerating the number of miles he had walked." Etcetera. Here and elsewhere, Strickland reminds the reader that long-distance backpacking a.) goes in and out of fashion, like most things, and b.) needs the influx of "newbies" to help keep the trails alive. (Oh, and that people tend towards conservatism - in the "good old days" sense - in most things, long-distance hiking not excluded.)
May 17, 2011
Illuminating as well as instructive this book is a surprising page turner that would appeal not only to a niche audience but to sedentary types who probably will never have opportunity to enjoy the pleasures set forth here. Ron has truly made a difference in the world through his passion and determination, that rare person who found his passion early enough and was able to forge a life pursuing it.
His love for Hiking took flight in Washington State experiencing his epiphany through the magnificence of scenery and His resultant joy. What has resulted is a truly happy man. This memoir is not merely a plea for development and enjoyment of hiking trails, but it is character study, description of the ineffable pleasures of enjoying the wilderness, and ultimately a love story. It is also generously illustrated with many beautiful line drawings. Highly recommended on many levels.
Sent from my iPad
His love for Hiking took flight in Washington State experiencing his epiphany through the magnificence of scenery and His resultant joy. What has resulted is a truly happy man. This memoir is not merely a plea for development and enjoyment of hiking trails, but it is character study, description of the ineffable pleasures of enjoying the wilderness, and ultimately a love story. It is also generously illustrated with many beautiful line drawings. Highly recommended on many levels.
Sent from my iPad
October 16, 2012
This is the tale of a novice hiker’s dream to build a trail across three national parks and seven national forests. Strickland weaves vignettes of his life on and off the trail; of the struggles to build the trail, of local history and of the simple joys walking in the wilderness. It is reflective writing and reflective reading, the author makes you stop and consider life. Readers get snapshots that are not just informative, but are witty, humorous and wise. Through the author’s storytelling you learn about the outdoors and about yourself. Now, after 40 years, in 2009 with the effort of countless volunteers Strickland saw the reality of his dream, as Congress added the Pacific Northwest Trail to the National Tails System. Pathfinder is inspirational reading for hikers and armchair adventures alike.
September 19, 2013
Good memoir by a more than competent writer. Lacks great coherence, but doesn't really need it. It's supposed to be inspirational above all, and it is. Strickland, unlike many rabid hikers, admits that wilderness is a human need-and also a human creation. It's this human element that makes hiking even possible; and we thank Strickland for adding to this respectful heritage by creating the Pacific Northwest Trail.
December 31, 2015
An absolutely amazing book on building a trail but also the friendships that go along with it. I'm so glad I read this book!
January 25, 2014
Those characters who you meet while you are hiking long distance. The author has spent his time presenting those people he met along the way. The highlight of each hike the new folks..
January 9, 2015
An enjoyable albiet meandering read filled with anedotes, profiles, and advice from a long trail founder.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews