You Carry the Tent, I'll Carry the Baby: One Family's Journey on the Pacific Crest Trail

by Jack McClure, Cody Markelz (illustrator)

Following the birth of their daughter, Jack McClure and his wife Alana had every intention of continuing their life of adventure. After an extensive hiking trip in the desert southwest, they found that having a baby with them was no excuse to stay home and dream of adventures that could’ve been. With lofty ambitions, they set their sights on thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico as a family, beginning when their daughter was 9 months old. What followed was a 1,500 mile odyssey filled not only with primeval forests and sweeping mountain vistas but also countless lullabies, hundreds of diaper changes and innumerable tears shed. Sparking warmth and inspiration, You Carry the Tent, I’ll Carry the Baby paints a vivid picture of the joys and numerous stressors of one family’s experience raising an infant on their terms, all while hiking twenty miles a day for months on end, in a journey that challenges them every step of the way.

Genres: Nonfiction

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Haley Staffon · Rating 5 out of 5]

jack, alana, & din’s endeavor on the PCT & how they choose to approach everyday life is truly inspiring! i loved jack’s honest storytelling & found this to be a super enjoyable, quick read, with lots of little moments that made me smile or pause to think.

[Juliaharied · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read that was insightful, honest, and inspiring. What an example for growing, healthy families in today’s age. Best book I’ve read in a long time that I think about throughout the day.

[Rachel Reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love hearing people say that having a baby doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love. I’m really glad this family tested the limits of that statement so that I can know, MAYBE DONT try to hike the entire PCT with your nine month old who is already not a good sleeper!!!!! 😂

I loved the honesty of this book -- they were miserable -- and it was honestly so cathartic to hear about their struggles now that we're emerging from the baby stage LOL

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read many, many books on hiking the PCT. I was so excited to read this one simply because of the baby aspect. Something new and interesting perhaps. I am sorry to say it was such a major disappointment. A lot of whining and complaining took place (from the parents). Few interesting details were provided about the actual experience of hiking with a 9 month old. A lot of judgment about those who use headphones while hiking. Also one scenario was so odd. While husband is waiting outside a grocery store for wife, someone comes up thinking he is homeless and offers him food and a job. Husband doesn’t say he’s a PCT hiker ..why the heck not? It was so weird. Anyway I couldn’t wait to get done with the book as I found it a huge disappointment.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Ann Giese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book and hearing about the adventure. Could have gone without the personal agenda the author pushes on readers.

[Katie B]

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this to be honest, and I'm quite sure they didn't know what they were expecting when they set out to complete the daunting task of completing the Pacific Crest Trail with a baby. I found the complaints about the logistics of thru hiking with a baby to be the biggest reason I decided not to finish this one. They hated feeling like spread sheet hikers who had to keep to a schedule dictated by picking up supplies, nap and feeding schedules and the like. That's the reality of taking a baby with you  anywhere, even in nature. Complaints about the difference between the PTC and their home state of Alaska were tiresome as well. Every state is different depending on so many factors. It isn't fair to travel through areas with a greater population and fault it because it isn't as remote as what you are used to. Good for them for braving the PTC with a 9 month old breastfeeding baby, but it wasn't enough to make me power through and finish the book. 

[Keerthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the journey of a young couple who embark on the Pacific Crest Trail with their baby in tow. It’s a heartwarming story that weaves together marriage, relationships, the struggles of early parenthood, and the challenges of navigating a long outdoor trail. The narrative is both engaging and unique, chronicling their experience from its inception to its conclusion. The author also provides rich details about the trail, the routes available, the ones they chose, and insightful advice on trail etiquette. I found it especially enjoyable to read while being trapped indoors during the winter months.

[Angela Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about a family taking a long walk with a baby.
The author brings in some good points that people should find time to unplug and enjoy nature, however there are points in the story where he feels to be too judgemental on how other people decide to walk the trail with technology. Not to mention how much technology saved them throughout the trek.
It was fun hearing about their baby's development on the trail.

[Topslate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. While it didn’t have a whole lot of “meat“ to it, it was a sweet story about a family embarking on an outdoor adventure which most of us wouldn’t even consider. There were some cute stories along the way. Most notably the relationship stories were interesting and relatable. I’m glad I stuck with it and finished it.

[Dana Raasch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the insight that this book gave into traveling with a baby. Din, at the time of this story, is the same age as my child now. It’s encouraging to hear how others include their children in their adventures.

[Deirdre Kerrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read true story of a family living life by their own accord. I love how the author shares their family adventure in real and raw terms. You truly are riding the ups and downs of life on the trail with them and their child. What a journey they all had together -- a once in a lifetime experience!

Excellent writing truly captures the beauty of nature, but also the challenges that nature brings as well.

Highly recommend!

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra star for how crazy y’all are

[Esther Dushinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[John Kerrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very honest and insightful journey taken by Jack, Alana and Din. I appreciated the author’s insights as to how such a journey is made - planning, preparation, gear, food, weather & forecasts, as well as adapting to situations that they had not prepared for & did not expect as first time parents. The author’s raw honesty on the emotional toll this trek took on a strong relationship adds a deeper dimension & highlight’s Alana’s remarkable fortitude, grit, perseverance, commitment, and sensibilities.