Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

[pstm13]

I am reading this book and wanted to see what others thought. It just does not seem credible in terms of miles covered and other facts. She says it is based primarily on her memories rather than her journal. Maybe that should be a clue.

Anyone else read it? Am I being overly cynical?

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Found-Pacific-Crest-Vintage/dp/0307476073/ref=la_B001HCXFIE_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382579126&sr=1-1

 

[Nick]

I haven't read it, but I remember hearing an interview on the radio a while back. What kind of facts seem like a stretch?

 

[pstm13]

No experience and makes a solo 1,100 mile hike with a 60+ pound pack on the PCT. At one point she says she looses her boots and goes barefoot then makes duct tape shoes.

 

[klank]

I have not read, but GF did over the summer. Her attitude changed after reading, wanting to head out with me. =))

 

[pstm13]

I have not read, but GF did over the summer. Her attitude changed after reading, wanting to head out with me. =))

I normally don't read books from Oprah's book club either. I was sucked in with the narrative hook when she talked about how she took her boots off on the trail and her "monster" backpack fell and flipped the boot off the ledge so she threw her other boot off the ledge. This caused her to make duct tape shoes and so on. Some of her stories in the book just did not add up to me.

I just thought I would see if anyone else had an opinion given you-all's depth of experience. I think you made a good point. Regardless of any possible stretching of the facts I should have my wife read it so she will want to hit the trail more often.

 

[klank]

@pstm13 Win! We were all set for our first trip with permit secured for a weekday overnight at Glen Aulin, Tuolumne Meadows; then life rudely interrupted our plans. I have plans to take Cheri out in the Spring on a trail in Desolation Wilderness. I'll surely post a report up on our adventures. dam... 5 months is a long way off.

 

[pstm13]

@pstm13 Win! We were all set for our first trip with permit secured for a weekday overnight at Glen Aulin, Tuolumne Meadows; then life rudely interrupted our plans. I have plans to take Cheri out in the Spring on a trail in Desolation Wilderness. I'll surely post a report up on our adventures. dam... 5 months is a long way off.

That sounds like my Yosemite trip. We had the back country permits and everything. I hope you make it. We never did make that trip. Happy Trails.

 

[Nick]

I was sucked in with the narrative hook when she talked about how she took her boots off on the trail and her "monster" backpack fell and flipped the boot off the ledge so she threw her other boot off the ledge. This caused her to make duct tape shoes and so on. Some of her stories in the book just did not add up to me.

Uhh yeah, that seems a bit far fetched. It certainly wouldn't surprise me if some things were embellished or exaggerated to sell a book. Not saying that's the case as I don't know her nor have I read it, but some of that sounds pretty unreal.

 

[pinecone]

I loved this book and have to say that events in one's persons life may lead them to do extraordinary things. I met her and her husband and believe them to be very sincere people.

 

[nonameiwant]

I never commented on this when the thread was first around, but here are my thoughts.

I bought this book was it was first released. I really liked it at the beginning and I was reading through it quickly. Than towards the end it was hard to finish. I commence her on going and completing this feat though. To me it was a decent book, not my favorite.

I have friends who would have never picked up this book though, and now they are reading it because it's being made into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon.