? Wild by Cheryl Strayed Vintage, $18.95, 315 pages.
We all walk every day but few have ever taken on a hike that continues day after day for months on end. The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from the Mexican border north into Canada ending in Manning Park. It follows the Sierra Nevada then Cascade mountain ranges, going mostly through National Forest and protected wilderness. It's a very long walk.
In 1995, burdened with a pack so heavy she could barely carry it and ended up naming it Monster, Cheryl Strayed stepped onto the trail near the town of Mojave, California and began an 1100-mile hike. Seeking a fresh start for a life that was stumbling out of control, she set off alone and began a journey of self-discovery that allowed her to finally come to terms with much of what was leading her to despair.
Her experiences on the trail are a fascinating look at what it means to take on such a physical challenge but her personal story makes this far more than an outdoor adventure book. We are allowed to slip inside a troubled soul and witness the healing power of nature and time as the transformation gradually guides her to a better understanding of herself.
