Cascade Summer: My Adventure on Oregon's Pacific Crest Trail

by Bob Welch

Cascade Summer is the story of Bob Welch's 2011 attempt, along with his brother-in-law, to hike the length of Oregon's spine. To reconnect with his past. And to better understand the 19th-century Cascade Range advocate John Waldo, the state's answer to California's naturalist John Muir. Despite great expectations, near trails end Welch finds himself facing an unlikely challenge. Laughs. Blisters. And new friends from literally around the world-his PCT adventure offered it all. But he never foresaw the bittersweet ending.

237 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Stan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new entry to my bucket list. Bob's adventure had me in it's grip from the very first moment I started reading. Told with humor and humility, it touched on and considered every emotion one must feel as they take on such a physical challenge. Bob's relationship with his brother in-law and others upon the trail is both inspirational and touching. Learning about the history of the trail is an added bonus. I love Oregon's natural beauty, and have been around this trail all my life yet have never stepped a foot upon on it. That will change.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by my favorite local author. Enjoyed this one a lot. I have great admiration for the PCT hikers.

[Leighanne Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devour all PCT Memoirs!! I was so excited to find this one that focused on the Oregon section!! I appreciated the depth of wisdom coupled with the historical explorations covered in this book!! This was a gem that I was grateful to find, and it ended up being one of my favorite PCT memoirs!!!

[Sue Funke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about two men who decided to hike the Oregon section of the PCT one summer. What I enjoyed most about this book was the great historical information about the origin of the PCT and the original Skyline trail starting at Mt. Hood. There is a lot of information about Waldo and his influence on designating this area as a wilderness. Thank you to all who came before, with the foresight, to preserve these areas for my backpacking enjoyment.

[Greg Gerot · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Oregon the Pacific Crest Trail this is a good read. Having hiked two sections of the PCT in Oregon myself, I appreciate the fact that the author completed hiking the spine of this great state in a summer. Easy reading with great writing and soothing humor.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having completed 90% of the Oregon portion of the PCT I was excited to read Bob Welch’s account of his hike. As an Oregon native son I was also interested in his perspective on the state we have shared and how it has changed over the years. He provided details of his hike with his brother-in-law Glenn, as well as historical accounts from Oregon Judge Waldo who explored the state in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

As a fellow PCT hiker I identified with many of the trials and tribulations Bob and Glenn experienced on their hike. Lack of toilet paper, blisters, mosquitoes, exhaustion and disinterest in trail food were all things I found in common. For me, Welch’s story was captivating and informative and held my interest from start to finish. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a great tale about hiking, the Pacific Crest Trail and Oregon history.

[Kasey Lawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Finally, a polite young teenager said hello and asked if I could tell him something.
“Sure”, I said.
“How far is it?”
The question took me an aback. “How far is what?” I said. “There are lots of places you could hike to—or from. Lots of ‘its.’”
“Well, I don’t know”, he said. “Where did you hike from?”
“You mean today or in the beginning?”
“The beginning I guess”
“California,” I said.
“Whoa,” he said. “And where are you hiking to?”
“Just doing Ore—“
I caught myself. “I’m hiking the state of Oregon. Finishing today, in fact.”
His eyes widened and he offered what I took as a cross-generational compliment. “Dude!”

[Tim Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. An excellent, touching and funny tale of a journey between two lifelong friends through the rugged Oregon portion of the Pacific Coast Trail. I always thought it would be amusing to hike this portion but I'm not much of a hiker and after reading it, I know I couldn't make it. Author Bob Welch and his friend Glenn, however, fight their way through. It's a lot of fun and adding the parts of historical figure, John Waldo -- Oregon's John Muir -- greatly enhance the book.

This is my third book of Bob Welch's that I've read and he never disappoints. He's a fabulous writer and storyteller.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the believability of two slightly crazier than normal guys who chose to do a section of trail and how they accomplished it. I also liked that it didn’t ‘revolutionize’ their world or create some epiphany on life. It was just the slightly above average joe choosing to do something adventurous with their life and that made the book interesting. I skip read through the history which I found slightly dull.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read...I enjoyed hearing the author's perspectives on the bits I have hiked, as well. He switched back and forth between his cross-state hike, and the historical perspective of John Waldo spending time in the Cascades. (Waldo as in the one the lake is named after, and one of the main proponents of getting the area set aside.) Some of it dragged a little bit, but overall I liked it.

[Darcy Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading Welch’s daily chronicle along the trail. My oldest daughter hiked Oregon and I loved revisiting similar memories she told of. I have done a small portion ending at Pamelia and this makes me want to get back out there at 73! The added vignettes of Judge Waldo’s expeditions along the Oregon trail in the late 1800’s made for a wonderful read. Highly recommend!!

[Robert Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it




What a great way to experience Oregon, it's history, and a man's pursuit of a dream. Adventure, friendship, self exploration, love, humor, and education are just a few of the things I really reading in this book.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Fawna Ricketts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun engaging story of his hike on the Oregon portion of the PCT. I really enjoyed the history woven into the story along the way. Makes me look forward to hiking more of the PCT.

[Jesse DuPont · Rating 5 out of 5]

fucking fantastic

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm biased: I'm a fan of memoir, a fan of PCT and a fan (and friend/colleague) of the author. In fact, my only regret is that I already knew about many of the unexpected turns in this adventure, so lost out on the element of surprise.
I was never so tired in my life as the first day I walked a mere 12 miles with full pack on the PCT. So when Welch first told me he wanted to make this trip -- averaging 20-mile days -- I was pessimistic on his behalf. But this book shows how a couple of regular Joes ("the Oregon Boys") can persevere with adequate training, planning and gumption. A great tale that happens to be true!

[Amanda Waley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year my local library picks a specific book for the population of the whole town to read. For 2014, they picked this one. Bob Welch is an author to watch out for! I loved that he thought to share this particular adventure with the masses (readers), and I was celebrating with him and Glenn in spirit when I read about them finishing the PCT the following summer.

what I took away from this book:

There is a joke Bob shares in the book that says "What do you call three days of rain in Oregon?"
The answer is "A Weekend"

That joke stays with me overall because it's so true, and my city just experienced one of these typical Oregon weekends.

[John Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Bob Welch "only" hiked the Oregon portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, one can see that the 452 miles of trail was quite an epic struggle anyway for 26 days. Along with the bittersweet ending when his hiking partner became very ill and was forced to drop out, there were many pleasant encounters with other hikers and wildlife. Color photos show what happened along the way, with the longest day covering 25.1 miles, and a highest elevation of 7100 feet.

I especially liked the day-by-day summary, and the details of the items Welch took on his adventure.

An inspirational story of long-term planning and unplanned adventure!

[Edwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welch is a good writer and the story of his journey is a good source of information about what it takes to do a trip on the PCT. Although the stories about the people he met were interesting, the nuts and bolts of gear, hardships and personal challenges were my favorite parts. I liked the way he updated his progress at the beginning of each section. I'm afraid that I'm too over the hill to consider getting into shape for a trip like this but the vicarious experience is worth the reading of it.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adventure! What a good friend Glenn is! This is not a quick read, but a very interesting read throughout - especially the intertwining of the history behind the establishment of the PCT, and how it benefits hikers today. Maybe someday, I will hike a part of the PCT - but certainly not the 452 miles of the 'just Oregon' section...

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. In many places, Welsh had me cracking up with laughter. His book created an excitement of the Pacific Coast Trail and a deep appreciation and respect for those who hike it, or any, long and challenging trail. Will look forward to reading some of his other books! Love his writing!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's about a trek on the Oregon section of the PCT. I especially liked this quote: "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere" by Frank A. Clark.

[Burlgurl · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent book by a favorite author, altho i had only previously read his regular column in the eugene newspaper (til he retired, alas). really gave me a feel for the oregon portion of the trail, and was highly entertaining.

[Ben Worthington]

Good read. Bob's experience descending from Devil's Peak was a little different from my sister's and mine. We had no snow. The snow melt has left stones in the trail. It was like walking on a trail covered with softballs mixed with golf balls.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this account of Bob & Glen's adventure on the PCT. It brought back memories of my own PCT travels. I appreciated the historical notes about Waldo.

[Mo Aakre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information. Did not like all the historical references. Looking more for trail information for future hike.

[Cheryl Sumerlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was a great mix of history, adventure, and humor. The personal connection to the wilderness makes one more aware.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

". . . another reason I wanted to hike alone was to get lost in the past. And, like a group visit to a cemetery, it's hard to do that with others around."

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I enjoyed both the day to day journal entries of Bob and Glenn’s trip, but also the historical accounts of Waldo.