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Crunch: A Million Snowy Steps Along the Pacific Crest Trail
In 2017, the Pacific Crest Trail wasn’t itself.
Okay, so it was still dirt. A lot of dirt—almost three thousand miles of the stuff. But in the remote Sierra Nevada range, over four hundred miles of the trail were buried, hidden under a historic snowpack layered over fifty feet thick.
For Pacific Crest Trail hikers, the snow was either a roadblock or a challenge, and Daniel Winsor had spent enough cold nights recycling carbon dioxide in his sleeping bag to know one thing: a few snowflakes weren’t going to stop him.
Storms pummeled the Sierra into June. Towering sheets of ice had replaced the steep trails winding to thirteen thousand foot passes. Snowmelt transformed tame creek crossings into deadly wades. Invisible voids lurked beneath the snow, waiting to swallow unassuming hikers—by most any measure, only a suicidal fool would try it.
There were a lot of cold nights tucked down in that sleeping bag.
The rare prize of connecting a continuous path between Mexico and Canada in 2017 was hard to ignore. So with the odds stacked against him, Daniel pushed against his own fear and doubt to head into the Sierra backcountry anyway, aiming toward a preposterous goal in a year refusing to cooperate.
In his debut memoir, Daniel dissects the lofty highs and miserable lows of hiking through a below-freezing environment for weeks on end. From inflamed tendons to frozen boots, from maddening hunger to sunburned nostrils, from rocky partnerships to back-stabbing cohorts—Daniel explores the inexplicable drive to find ones limits in an age where comfort and safety is all but guaranteed.
Okay, so it was still dirt. A lot of dirt—almost three thousand miles of the stuff. But in the remote Sierra Nevada range, over four hundred miles of the trail were buried, hidden under a historic snowpack layered over fifty feet thick.
For Pacific Crest Trail hikers, the snow was either a roadblock or a challenge, and Daniel Winsor had spent enough cold nights recycling carbon dioxide in his sleeping bag to know one thing: a few snowflakes weren’t going to stop him.
Storms pummeled the Sierra into June. Towering sheets of ice had replaced the steep trails winding to thirteen thousand foot passes. Snowmelt transformed tame creek crossings into deadly wades. Invisible voids lurked beneath the snow, waiting to swallow unassuming hikers—by most any measure, only a suicidal fool would try it.
There were a lot of cold nights tucked down in that sleeping bag.
The rare prize of connecting a continuous path between Mexico and Canada in 2017 was hard to ignore. So with the odds stacked against him, Daniel pushed against his own fear and doubt to head into the Sierra backcountry anyway, aiming toward a preposterous goal in a year refusing to cooperate.
In his debut memoir, Daniel dissects the lofty highs and miserable lows of hiking through a below-freezing environment for weeks on end. From inflamed tendons to frozen boots, from maddening hunger to sunburned nostrils, from rocky partnerships to back-stabbing cohorts—Daniel explores the inexplicable drive to find ones limits in an age where comfort and safety is all but guaranteed.
- GenresNonfictionTravelMemoir
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2021
61 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Winsor
1 book2 followersDaniel Winsor hasn’t won any literary awards, but he did manage a B- on his high school senior essay—and with minimal tearful begging.
A nuclear Navy veteran, Daniel decided to utilize his highly sought-after skillset to leave the military and move into a trailer in the Eastern Sierra desert, where he spent six years growing beards and becoming intimately familiar with the beautiful Sierra range. After hundreds of miles exploring mountain peaks and backcountry rock climbs, Daniel wouldn’t stop complaining about the hiking, so he decided to tackle the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail.
All good things must come to an end, and Daniel has left the rewarding world of risking his life between uncomfortable poops to settle in rural Alabama with his wife, Melanie, and brand new daughter, Zoey. He spends his time writing, climbing, woodworking, and dadding. Hearing his daughter laugh for the first time was the most exhilarating moment of his life.
A nuclear Navy veteran, Daniel decided to utilize his highly sought-after skillset to leave the military and move into a trailer in the Eastern Sierra desert, where he spent six years growing beards and becoming intimately familiar with the beautiful Sierra range. After hundreds of miles exploring mountain peaks and backcountry rock climbs, Daniel wouldn’t stop complaining about the hiking, so he decided to tackle the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail.
All good things must come to an end, and Daniel has left the rewarding world of risking his life between uncomfortable poops to settle in rural Alabama with his wife, Melanie, and brand new daughter, Zoey. He spends his time writing, climbing, woodworking, and dadding. Hearing his daughter laugh for the first time was the most exhilarating moment of his life.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 1, 2021
A book full of complaining
I've read several books about through hikes in the PCT. This author does an admirable job of describing the terrain he struggled through, but he spent far too much time complaining about other hikers he felt weren't purists, or who did not live up to his expectations as being deserved of the title of a through-hiker. I don't care about his opinion of other hikers, I just want to hear about his experiences in the trail. In trying to explain his reasoning as to why he feels most hikers on the trail are fakers, he reveals himself to be possessed of a super-sized ego with little regard for his fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
I've read several books about through hikes in the PCT. This author does an admirable job of describing the terrain he struggled through, but he spent far too much time complaining about other hikers he felt weren't purists, or who did not live up to his expectations as being deserved of the title of a through-hiker. I don't care about his opinion of other hikers, I just want to hear about his experiences in the trail. In trying to explain his reasoning as to why he feels most hikers on the trail are fakers, he reveals himself to be possessed of a super-sized ego with little regard for his fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
August 21, 2021
(3.5 stars)
The winter of 2016-17 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains was absolutely epic. I think Mammoth mountain had something like 50 feet of snow. Someone had to be one of the first thru-hikers on the PCT which goes straight through the heart of the Sierra Nevada’s. Mr. Winsor was one of the first. It’s an epic 300 mile journey over mountain passes still filled with snow in June and through mountain creeks that, rather than their normal placid form were raging torrents of freezing cold water.
Some examples of his writing:
“My choice to exchange my quilt (in which I’d slept comfortably down to ten degrees) for Mel’s bag was a colossal mistake. If it were at all possible, I would’ve gladly transported from the long, sleepless night back to that stroke of genius moment to deliver a precisely aimed boot to my own groin.”
“But as the man appeared from the whiteout, sure enough. Homeboy was standing out in the twenty-degree blizzard in a light jacket, short shorts, and microspikes on his trail-runners…But what did I know? Maybe the Swiss typically hiked naked, and what I was seeing was their version of heavy winter packing.”
Mr. Winsor’s writing is quick-witted and funny, so this book makes for fast reading.
There is one fatal flaw in this book that perhaps a good editor would have salvaged by keeping out. Mr. Winsor is VERY dismissive of so-called PCT thru-hikers who didn’t actually hike all the way through the whole trail including the Sierra Nevada’s. He wastes page after page lambasting these people who claimed they hiked the whole trail when they skipped some (and often) many parts of the trail.
The problem with this is that no one cares about this issue except Mr. Winsor and maybe 3 other thru-hikers. No one cares about the issue of so-called yellow-blazing (taking car rides around difficult sections) or blue-blazing ( taking an easier trail than the actual trail) [terms that come from the Appalachian Trail], especially not readers. What someone else did or didn’t do is irrelevant to Mr. Winsor’s very impressive achievement and ranting about it detracts from his otherwise excellent book.
A good read that I really enjoyed, but I could care less about people who claim to hike the whole PCT but don’t.
The winter of 2016-17 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains was absolutely epic. I think Mammoth mountain had something like 50 feet of snow. Someone had to be one of the first thru-hikers on the PCT which goes straight through the heart of the Sierra Nevada’s. Mr. Winsor was one of the first. It’s an epic 300 mile journey over mountain passes still filled with snow in June and through mountain creeks that, rather than their normal placid form were raging torrents of freezing cold water.
Some examples of his writing:
“My choice to exchange my quilt (in which I’d slept comfortably down to ten degrees) for Mel’s bag was a colossal mistake. If it were at all possible, I would’ve gladly transported from the long, sleepless night back to that stroke of genius moment to deliver a precisely aimed boot to my own groin.”
“But as the man appeared from the whiteout, sure enough. Homeboy was standing out in the twenty-degree blizzard in a light jacket, short shorts, and microspikes on his trail-runners…But what did I know? Maybe the Swiss typically hiked naked, and what I was seeing was their version of heavy winter packing.”
Mr. Winsor’s writing is quick-witted and funny, so this book makes for fast reading.
There is one fatal flaw in this book that perhaps a good editor would have salvaged by keeping out. Mr. Winsor is VERY dismissive of so-called PCT thru-hikers who didn’t actually hike all the way through the whole trail including the Sierra Nevada’s. He wastes page after page lambasting these people who claimed they hiked the whole trail when they skipped some (and often) many parts of the trail.
The problem with this is that no one cares about this issue except Mr. Winsor and maybe 3 other thru-hikers. No one cares about the issue of so-called yellow-blazing (taking car rides around difficult sections) or blue-blazing ( taking an easier trail than the actual trail) [terms that come from the Appalachian Trail], especially not readers. What someone else did or didn’t do is irrelevant to Mr. Winsor’s very impressive achievement and ranting about it detracts from his otherwise excellent book.
A good read that I really enjoyed, but I could care less about people who claim to hike the whole PCT but don’t.
January 25, 2022
Daniel or "Beta" sets out going northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail. This hiking memoir focuses mainly on his hike through the record-breaking snowfall year in the high Sierra mountains in 2017. He perseveres through snow, ice, frigid temperatures, fear, hunger, equipment failures and dangerous river crossings. My hats off to him for continuing the hike without missing any areas of the PCT.
February 1, 2022
I desperately (desperately!) wanted to give this book more stars. Daniel is a hilarious and engaging writer and so much of this was a joy to read…but (of course there’s a but) I got really, really tired of his “connected steps” soapbox. We get it, dude, you’re a real thru hiker. Let’s get back to the trail!
March 28, 2022
great PCT book
Very enjoyable reading. Funny in the right spots. Since I spent a lot of time in the Sierras, it took me to places I haven’t been for a long time.
Completely understand the authors take on ethics and armchair warriors.
Very enjoyable reading. Funny in the right spots. Since I spent a lot of time in the Sierras, it took me to places I haven’t been for a long time.
Completely understand the authors take on ethics and armchair warriors.
April 12, 2023
I really enjoyed some aspects of this book, but the author had a lot of opinions about being a "purist" (someone who does connecting steps through the entire trail, never skipping a single foot of the trail). I understand that sentiment; however, the indignation towards other self proclaimed thru hikers who chose to not put their lives at risk by completing areas burdened with wildfires and 50 feet of snow was off-putting. The author makes sure to mention that the hiking community doesn't like purists, but what we don't like is his attitude towards other hikers. Why does he care what other people call themselves?
In addition, reading his internal dialogue about how dangerous/crazy/unsafe his actions were yet doing it anyways got very old after a couple hundred pages, and I found myself skipping over the italicized sections. Also, I hope you like middle-school poop and sex jokes, cause there's one on every page.
Despite my distaste for the author's anger towards other PCT hikers who claim themselves as thru-hikers without connecting steps, and the poop/sex/fart jokes he constantly makes, I did somewhat enjoy the book and it provided really great imagery and realism into a thru-hike.
In addition, reading his internal dialogue about how dangerous/crazy/unsafe his actions were yet doing it anyways got very old after a couple hundred pages, and I found myself skipping over the italicized sections. Also, I hope you like middle-school poop and sex jokes, cause there's one on every page.
Despite my distaste for the author's anger towards other PCT hikers who claim themselves as thru-hikers without connecting steps, and the poop/sex/fart jokes he constantly makes, I did somewhat enjoy the book and it provided really great imagery and realism into a thru-hike.
October 5, 2021
Amazing true story!
Hiking the PCT means hiking the whole trail. Not skipping the snow locked Sierras as many do. Learned a lot about what thru hiking really means from this true account.
Hiking the PCT means hiking the whole trail. Not skipping the snow locked Sierras as many do. Learned a lot about what thru hiking really means from this true account.
October 21, 2021
Cool book about a cold hike
Loved it! Great story with just the right amount of humor. I watched Dixie who was another "real" PCT thru-hiker that year. She recommended this book.
Loved it! Great story with just the right amount of humor. I watched Dixie who was another "real" PCT thru-hiker that year. She recommended this book.
August 2, 2021
Satisfying Crunch
Having read many books on the trials and tribs of thru hiking, and as a section-hiker who also bemoans the you-tube-ization of the outdoor experience, this one is a real winner. Not just a daily journal of miles walked, but a thoughtful treatise on the need for being in nature, the need to challenge yourself, and the mental fortitude needed to make it through each day. Loved his worries regarding how the hike impacted his family and friends, and his concern for providing accurate info for those behind him. Great use of humor to ease the pain! Respect for this real thru-hiker.
Having read many books on the trials and tribs of thru hiking, and as a section-hiker who also bemoans the you-tube-ization of the outdoor experience, this one is a real winner. Not just a daily journal of miles walked, but a thoughtful treatise on the need for being in nature, the need to challenge yourself, and the mental fortitude needed to make it through each day. Loved his worries regarding how the hike impacted his family and friends, and his concern for providing accurate info for those behind him. Great use of humor to ease the pain! Respect for this real thru-hiker.
November 21, 2021
Very Enjoyable
The author captured my desire to backpack and thanks God I'm retired because I spent way to many late nights with this ebook.
He captured the monotony, fun, excitement, and fear of his time on part of the PCT. His sense of humor lightened up or at least made some of the misery Type 2 Fun.
The author captured my desire to backpack and thanks God I'm retired because I spent way to many late nights with this ebook.
He captured the monotony, fun, excitement, and fear of his time on part of the PCT. His sense of humor lightened up or at least made some of the misery Type 2 Fun.
October 13, 2021
Incredible Hiking, Incredible Writing !
This is one of my top 3 books about the PCT. Amazingly heroic and eternally memorable.
Thank You for your wisdom and thank you for sharing what it truly means to hike the Sierra in the big snow. Peace Upon You!
This is one of my top 3 books about the PCT. Amazingly heroic and eternally memorable.
Thank You for your wisdom and thank you for sharing what it truly means to hike the Sierra in the big snow. Peace Upon You!
December 20, 2021
What An Amazing Trail Adventure Story
A true adventure unfolds facing challenges that are heroic and entertaining as you can’t stop wondering what’s next in this epic snow journey through the Sierras
A true adventure unfolds facing challenges that are heroic and entertaining as you can’t stop wondering what’s next in this epic snow journey through the Sierras
January 21, 2022
Good read. Quite long. I appreciated the humor however there were a few unconnected thoughts that made it hard to follow at times. There is also a lot of technical terms are used that if you don't know hiking/climbing terminology may be hard to follow. I enjoyed the journey.
August 17, 2021
A great tale of adventure and one mans quest to stay true to himself. Definitely worth the time.
October 8, 2021
3.5
good luck
good luck
October 12, 2021
Riveting, thoughtful, good-humored - you can’t ask for a better tale of an epic hike.
April 22, 2022
I loved this book. Author has a sense of humor that matches mine exactly. Could not wait to read the next page but did not want the book to end either. I truly enjoyed this book!
September 24, 2022
Awesome account of "Beta" hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I enjoyed every page of this hike across snow, flooded creeks, freezing cold, and the demanding physical pain hiking in extreme weather. Beta's (trail name) comments were funny as he psyched himself into continuing the hike and rebuked himself for stupid mistakes. I loved the detailed accounts of the various hiking partners he traveled with. Couldn't put the book down until the last page and then mourned finishing the book so soon. Starting in Mexico, the Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,600 +/- mile path up through California, Oregon and Washington states to Canada. Snowshoes, crampons and heavy backpacks with limited food and water shows the hiking environment endured sometimes with other hikers and sometimes alone. Mile after mile in 14,000 +/-high altitudes with extreme temperatures and descriptions of daily life on the trail. I felt I could be walking with him on this hike. Excellent book.
January 29, 2023
excellent!
I wish it had been longer and I could have read his experience on the first and last 1/3 of the trail, and I wish it had included pictures, or links to pictures of what awesome things only a tiny fraction of people got to see. I wish I had the skills to attempt something as crazy as this just to get to experience those views….but I don’t, and I also am not willing to risk my life to do it lol. So, I am immensely grateful for people who are willing to risk it, and then write about it for the rest of us. I did find the information about how crappy the attitude of (many) PCT hikers seem to be a little demoralizing, but also logical.
I wish it had been longer and I could have read his experience on the first and last 1/3 of the trail, and I wish it had included pictures, or links to pictures of what awesome things only a tiny fraction of people got to see. I wish I had the skills to attempt something as crazy as this just to get to experience those views….but I don’t, and I also am not willing to risk my life to do it lol. So, I am immensely grateful for people who are willing to risk it, and then write about it for the rest of us. I did find the information about how crappy the attitude of (many) PCT hikers seem to be a little demoralizing, but also logical.
January 1, 2024
ONE OF THE BEST
I’ve read dozens of book on hiking and the PCT and this is one of the best! I gained valuable understanding of the precarious situations to be faced while on trail in a heavy snow year. I also laughed right out loud until I cried at the graphic depictions of this travelers trials and tribulations on trail. For a world class sit pad surfer, this author is eloquent and just a darn good writer. I can’t wait to read other material from this guy! And P.S., I am 100% in your court when it comes to the “hard stuff” -do it or don’t do it, but only if you did it can you claim it.
I’ve read dozens of book on hiking and the PCT and this is one of the best! I gained valuable understanding of the precarious situations to be faced while on trail in a heavy snow year. I also laughed right out loud until I cried at the graphic depictions of this travelers trials and tribulations on trail. For a world class sit pad surfer, this author is eloquent and just a darn good writer. I can’t wait to read other material from this guy! And P.S., I am 100% in your court when it comes to the “hard stuff” -do it or don’t do it, but only if you did it can you claim it.
March 13, 2023
2017 was a record snow year for the Sierra Nevada and therefore the PCT which runs straight through the mountain range. I will be starting my own journey on the PCT in 9 days after an even bigger snow year than 2017. This winter has been relentless with big, heavy snow storms. Daniel's book is hilarious and simultaneously educational. However, I wish I would have waited until after my hike to read it, as I am now super spooked to cross the Sierra (despite living there my entire life). Hopefully I've learned something from his story.
March 21, 2023
loved his writing style
This is the first book I’ve read about the PCT, I’ve read a lot about the Appalachian trail. Seeings as I’ll never do either I enjoy reading about them. I could absolutely “see” everything as it happened. I may have to scrub my eyeballs on some of the poop visuals. I live in Mississippi, not many hiking adventures in the Deep South.I really enjoyed the read…write more!
This is the first book I’ve read about the PCT, I’ve read a lot about the Appalachian trail. Seeings as I’ll never do either I enjoy reading about them. I could absolutely “see” everything as it happened. I may have to scrub my eyeballs on some of the poop visuals. I live in Mississippi, not many hiking adventures in the Deep South.I really enjoyed the read…write more!
March 24, 2023
Good reading Daniel!
Wow! I’ve never read such an exciting and handsome piece of literature!
LOL. Just to prove that I read the whole thing past the epilogue. Other readers will understand if they read the full book.
I will be running back through the book for tips if my fellow hikers still consider hiking the PCT across the High Sierras early in the season and a potential high snow pack year in 2026. And if work lets me take leave for 6 months….
Wow! I’ve never read such an exciting and handsome piece of literature!
LOL. Just to prove that I read the whole thing past the epilogue. Other readers will understand if they read the full book.
I will be running back through the book for tips if my fellow hikers still consider hiking the PCT across the High Sierras early in the season and a potential high snow pack year in 2026. And if work lets me take leave for 6 months….
January 4, 2024
LOVED this book. Being slightly obsessed with learning about the PCT, I found this book and could not put it down from the moment I started. Windsor’s honesty, values and humor really resonated with me. He’s a great storyteller. Highly recommend if you love living and reading about outdoor adventures.
June 12, 2023
Great perspective on the Sierras in a high snow year. Wow! Made me grateful for my "normal" PCT hike in 2003 with average snowfall. I finished this book in less than a day...very easy to follow Beta's hike in a page-turning fashion. Good for new and old thruhikers alike!
May 28, 2022
So far it's A very good read. I'm not done yet. I'll let you know
June 17, 2022
Entertaining and informative
Great read about the trials and tribulations of through hiking the PCT. This is a good book for anyone that enjoys hiking.
Great read about the trials and tribulations of through hiking the PCT. This is a good book for anyone that enjoys hiking.
November 1, 2023
great read
Enjoyed very much, an honest account of hiking the PCT in 2017. Loved the description’s of his hiking pals. A great sense of the absurd
Enjoyed very much, an honest account of hiking the PCT in 2017. Loved the description’s of his hiking pals. A great sense of the absurd
April 27, 2023
A great book with honesty
I enjoyed reading this book, well written, inspiring, and full of emotions. I love to hike but I don’t believe that I would ever consider a hike like what the author did. Recommend it to hiking lovers.
I enjoyed reading this book, well written, inspiring, and full of emotions. I love to hike but I don’t believe that I would ever consider a hike like what the author did. Recommend it to hiking lovers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews