Saturday, March 3, 2018

"Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart" by Carrot Quinn


My reading this month has taken me on quite the adventures, from outer space, to life on a small island, to a thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Carrot Quinn was living in a little trailer surrounded by the bustle of city life in Portland, Oregon. She was a self professed internet addict, making a meager living online and dog walking. Her life felt aimless. Then she discovered the online trail journals of people thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican to the Canadian borders.

With little experience and preparation she embarked on her quest to complete the 2660 mile grueling hike following a narrow band of dirt through scorching desert, rolling foothills, and the formidable Sierra Nevada range. Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart: An Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail is the account of Carrot's physical, mental and emotional journey in 2013.

A section of the Sunshine Coast Trail.
Quinn's book is self published. It didn't have the publisher polish of books like Wild by Cheryl Strayed or A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, yet it was a compelling read for me. You can feel the pain of Carrot's blisters, the pervasive thirst between water stops, the days of hunger followed by binging in nearby towns, the desire to connect with other hikers, and the glee at finding "trail magic" left by volunteers including snacks, drinks and even hot meals.

Just a little warning. Carrot is straight forward and blunt at times about her personal and trail life. I didn't find it off-putting but some might.

Reading books like this has inspired my husband to try hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail here in Powell River, BC. He's researched gear and is starting to put together what he'll need for a summer adventure. There are many entry and exit points along the Sunshine Coast Trail, so he's going to start small and complete the 180 kilometres (112 miles) a section at a time.

Margy (me) checking out backpacks.
I don't hike well, so I'll be Wayne's ground support. I'll drop him off and pick him up farther along. I may camp out with my truck while I wait for him to arrive. If I get into better shape by July, I may even try an easy leg.

If you are interested in the Pacific Crest Trail, here are some references:

Pacific Crest Trail Website
The Pacific Crest Trail Association Facebook

A clerk at REI shows Wayne a new tent.
For the Sunshine Coast Trail check out:

Sunshine Coast Trail Website
Sunshine Coast Trail Facebook
Tourism Powell River
Terracentric Coastal Adventures
The Sunshine Coast Trail by Eagle Walz

Have you tried any overnight hiking? What have your experiences been like? -- Margy

14 comments :

  1. What an epic journey ! You have to admire such courage & stamina!
    Hope Wayne has a good hike!

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    1. I'm sure he will, and I know he will be careful. Hiking alone can be more dangerous, or so it seems to me. - Margy

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  2. What a cute little cover. I admire people who take on adventures like that, but I am not outdoorsy enough to manage it. Hope Wayne loves his hiking experience.

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    1. Being self-published she arranged for someone to do it for her. I like it too. - Margy

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  3. What a goal! I'm happy sketching in my living room, methinks! I'm happy to read their adventures!

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    1. I know my limitations. Even when I did it in my 20s it wasn't easy. - Margy

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  4. You really do have to admire Carrot! I'm more like you...and would make a good ground person with a shorter hike mixed in. :) Did you check out Ray's review? You guys are on the same wavelength this month. :) Thank you for reviewing.

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    1. I did check out Ray's review. That would be a good book for me to read. - Margy

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  5. Oh, and I mean to add that I love the term "trail magic"!!

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    1. Isn't that a descriptive term. I am sure finding water when you are thirsty or food when you are hungry is very magical. - Margy

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  6. I do love hiking but age and infirmities have limited it to 5 mile hikes with my GSD Lily. Back in the day there was never a mountain trout stream that could hold me and my fly rod back from the pool just around the bend. Best of luck to your husband upcoming summer adventure. :)

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    1. Ageing does take a toll. I can feel it but don't want to give in to it quite yet. I know our lifestyle will have to change some day but I'm going to push it as far as I can. My dad was a great fisherman and I was an only child so I did a lot of fishing with him across the US and Canada. Such wonderful memories for me. - Margy

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  7. I really admire people who can take on such a challenge. I'm afraid my days of hiking are over but I still stay as active as posible within my limitations.

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Thanks for stopping by. Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. - Margy