Preface
In 1985, I began a journey on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail that I was not
able to finish.
I started enthusiastically. I studied books written about the trail and listened to
advice from others who had traveled it. I reviewed maps and even laid out a travel schedule.
I chose to ride from the Washington side of the Columbia River, north, pulling out just
before Old Snowy Mountain. Old Snowy was said to be narrow and treacherous. The trail
itself being blown out of the side of a cliff, with no room to pass or turn around should
you meet someone part way across. Too scary for me and I have never seen it.
Click here to jump to a historical description of the PCNST.
Click here to jump to the planned 1985 travel schedule.
I contacted the rangers to learn that the trail was open and in good condition.
They also offered the fact that there was plenty of horse feed available all along
the trail. Thus, I wouldn’t need to carry horse feed. I thought I was prepared. I
had packed plenty of food for myself, tarps, horse blankets, shoeing equipment, and
even a first aid kit. I was not prepared for the mental aspect: independence, self
reliance, loneliness, and survival.
For the first few days of the journey, I kept a diary. But as my mental state
deteriorated, so did the diary. Years later, I have only minimal memories of what
happened the next few days.
Click here to jump to diary entry #1 - 9/14/1985 7:04 pm
Click here to jump to diary entry #2 - 9/15/1985 6:40 am
Click here to jump to diary entry #3 - 9/16/1985 1:13 pm
Click here to read reflections - the missing diary entries
Overall, it was a wonderful experience. And in the months that followed, I shared my desires to finish the journey with many fellow riders. In 1986, four friends committed to riding along with me. Thus I wrote this book, a journey in itself, about our adventure.
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