"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