Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern America [ペーパーバック]

There are autobiographies, and trail guides, and hiking memoirs, but no other books quite like Ron Strickland's Pathfinder. Strickland, the founder of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT-hence his trail name "Pathfinder") offers readers a series of vignettes from his life. Beautifully written, these essays cover the struggles he faced in building a long distance trail, memories of various hikes and hiker friends, his time as a caregiver for an autistic child with leukemia, and his marriage to a non-hiker. Also included are chapters of local history (both along his trail, and the history of hiking in America), reflections on the fate of the guidebook as a literary form, and worries about the future of hiking in America. In all, this book covers too much for a single review. Indeed, it covers too much for a single sitting. It should be read briefly, by chapter, and only after much reflection should the reader continue on to the next chapter.

That said, there were 3 related themes that I felt should be highlighted in a review of this book. (Note, they are not necessarily the three most important themes; just the ones that interested me.) 1. Environmentalist activists are not really the allies of hikers. In fact, they can and often do try to limit access to trails and prevent new ones from being built. Strickland's own creation, the PNT, almost died before it was built because environmentalist activists did not like the idea of through hikers exploring the wildest parts of Northern Cascades National Park. They made ridiculous claims (and offered several outrageous lies) to prevent the trail from being developed. Readers should know these tactics did not die in the 1970s. 2. National Trails should do more than simply offer access to wilderness; they should also highlight local history. This point is related to the first. A national trail is not just a place to celebrate a lack of people. It is a place to celebrate rural history and heritage. 3. Our youth today are losing interest in non-electronic forms of entertainment. So, despite the apparent successes of those who want a "green" society, the fact is that without actual users, demand for wilderness may soon diminish, and this is one of the biggest threats facing our national trails today.

I immensely enjoyed this book. Strickland participated in one of the most exciting periods in the history of American outdoor recreation: the founding and building of our national trails. His memoirs in this fine book tell where the hiking community has been, and offers some positive suggestions for the future. This is definitely a book that deserves to be read more than once.

Ron Strickland describes the simple joy of walking on two legs with such enthusiasm that I can't wait to get out on a trail. Ron is a student of human nature and trail lore as well as a connoiseur of wilderness and writes with much wit. He tells amusing tales of old timers and other characters he's met in his decades of hiking, and has complied a wonderful list of favorite books written by long distance hikers. His story of the intricacies of creating the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is a fascinating, funny and heroic one, and I wish him much luck (and many volunteers) developing the Sea-to-Sea Trail.

Illuminating as well as instructive this book is a surprising page turner that would appeal not only to a niche audience but to sedentary types who probably will never have opportunity to enjoy the pleasures set forth here. Ron has truly made a difference in the world through his passion and determination. that rare person who found his passion early enough and was able to forge a life pursuing it.

His love for Hiking took flight in Washington State experiencing his epiphany through the magnificence of scenery and His resultant joy. What has resulted is a truly happy man. This memoir is not merely a plea for development and enjoyment of hiking trails, but it is character study, description of the ineffable pleasures of enjoying the wilderness, and ultimately a love story. Highly recommended on many levels.

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