Are You Ready to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail?

by Jim Hill

Running out of water in the scorching desert, a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike, a lone coyote howling mournfully through the quiet star filled night, sparkling mountain lakes spread out below Forrester Pass, fragrant fields of bright lupine, cascading waterfalls, encroaching forest fires, majestic glacier-covered volcanoes, healthy green forests, bears, curious marmots, filthy, friendly, lean and hungry thru-hikers.
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2012 was a fun, challenging adventure.
If you have hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, this book will bring back memories.
If you would like to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, this book will show you ways to prepare and give you an idea of what it is like.
If you have no intention of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail but are curious what it would be like, this book is for you.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2014

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading poorly written diaries this is the book for you. For the life of me I can't understand all the 4 and 5 stars but each to their own. I found it boring beyond belief. He could just as well have been describing a walk around a city park.

[Brown Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book which convinced me to not to hike the PCT, which was the right choice. If you are considering a through-hike, read this one before you commit.

It's readable, and Bill is, while eccentric, affable and helpful. He recommends many useful books for your trip should you choose to go, and offers sage advice. He's a swell dude.

What remains for me are his descriptions of fire containment while on the trail, and while he acknowledges his debt to the fire fighters, I don't believe I could tromp through the wilderness all pell mell and blithe while people risk their lives to make the course passable.

I am not ready.

[Ido · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book - I've been interested in the Pacific Crest Trail ever since I read Cheryl Strayed's book "Wild". This is not so much a book in terms of guidance on HOW to hike the Pacific Crest Trail but rather a book detailing and documenting Jim Hill's thru-hike of the trail back in 2012. It's a very fun read and he details so much about the trail and the culture and environment that surrounds the hikers as they make their way either from South to North (as Jim Hill did) or North to South. I enjoyed the book thoroughly and felt that I learned a fair deal along the way in terms of what I need to consider before I go and hike the PCT. I only hope that the PCT never becomes as busy or crowded as the Appalachian Trail (which Jim Hill has also hiked and also wrote about). I am looking forward to getting a copy of his Appalachian Adventures and reading about his thru-hike there as well.

[KellyKate · Rating 1 out of 5]

The whole time I was reading this book I heard in my head the voice of the "Dry Eyes" guy from the Visine ads a few years back. This was the most humdrum account of anything adventurous I've ever read. Could this guy have been any more of a cheapskate, as well as crass in the accounting of his hike? The reference to "pissing" was enough to make it even harder for me to finish this book. When you are able to do something like this, it stands to reason that money isn't too big of a concern, but this guy begrudged and bemoaned every cent he spent, and to complain about places along the trail that of course are trying to make a profit- as well as be a welcome sight to many hikers, to complain about the cost of every little thing including tipping was very off putting to me.

[Kathleen Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, steady and encouraging

The best thing about this book is Jim's eternal optimism. He truly enjoyed his adventure. While no one will call this a great literary work, it was engaging, funny and informative.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can read it without being a grammar and typo natzi and you have any interest in the trail, it provides wonderful imagery. Don't come looking for a "Wild" experience.