The first 703 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) are in the desert. As you might imagine, water is the key variable. Hikers plan their days around reliable water sources and much hoped-for water caches, filled by dedicated trail angels. At the PCT Kickoff held annually the last weekend of April, trail veterans give detailed water reports to the current crop of thru-hikers. “You cannot rely on caches,” they repeatedly told us....

Thru-hikers become obsessed with backpack weight. I was no different. You would understand if you tried walking from Mexico to Canada. At the Lake Tahoe post office, I had agonized before finally deciding to send my gloves forward in the post to Washington State. It saved me two ounces–no small consideration. However, I would soon regret it. In northern California we got hit with a summertime storm, and many hikers were on the verge of...

The Pacific Crest Trail begins at the California-Mexico border in the desert. It proved to be more varied than most hikers had imagined, with high desert, windswept scenes, as well as the desert floor of the daunting Mojave. Ultimately, most found the desert stark, forbidding, and implacable. But to be sure, the desert also offers its own brand of haunting beauty.      

It honestly may be the greatest party in the world. I remember it vividly. Its purpose is to support the annual crop of thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It is always the last weekend in April. This year that will be April 27-29. The Kickoff is famous for two things. The first is FOOD. The ex-thru-hikers feed the current year’s class like stuffed pigs. Better yet, nobody has to feel guilty because they will be quickly working...

Skywalker–Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail by Bill Walker Amazon paperback $10.95, Amazon Kindle $4.95 Details File Size:1347 KB Print Length:284 pages Sold by:Amazon Digital Services Language:English ASIN:B004HZXYX4 Text-to-Speech: Enabled Lending:Enabled Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,706 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Sports > Outdoors...