Recreational reading on the PCT

imported
#1

How many of you have actually engaged in actual reading while on your thru-hike? Personally, I like nothing better after a long day of hiking, dinner, and a little camp lounging, then laying around on a rock with my headlamp reading under the stars.

My impression however is that very few people actually do this. Is it because of the weight issues of having books with you, or do you simply find yourselves too tired by the end of the day? Ignoring the obvious choice that some may not really enjoy a bit of fiction.

In the past I’ve always thought I’d make more headway on reading when on wilderness canoe trips than I actually did. I typically get through a chapter, then cave to the omnipotent force of heavy eyelids. Just curious what the rest of the hiking community does.

Chris

#2

First post title is misleading.

Chris (Novakaine)

#3

On my two long section hikes (both over 1000 miles) on the PCT I probably read through a dozen books or more. I often took zero days in campgrounds or simply on the trail, where there was really nothing else to do but read. On the CT I averaged almost 25 miles per day, took only 2 zero days, got plenty of sleep each night and still had time to read several books. Besides eating dinner it was something to look forward to each night. On the hard days, or the big mile days, I wouldn’t have the energy for it, but on an average day I had no problem reading a few chapters.

I usually put a few books in my bounce box and traded them out I went. On the longer hikes I also picked up books for sale at libraries and used book stores if the town happened to have one.

The few extra ounces of a paper back is not an issue for me.

aaron

#4

I’m a huge reader. I can consume a 350 page novel in a couple of days. But on my AT and JMT hikes, it just didn’t happen. I can’t really explain why, other than I really try to keep up with my journal and will usually gloss over the maps/databook/guidebook for the next day. Maybe it’s the distraction of being in a new place, but after I’m horizontal for an hour, sleep is usually calling.

Anybody else have this problem?

Cap’n

#5

By the time I get to camp, eat and take care of other routine chores, I want to sleep. There just isn’t enough time to hike and read at the same time.

Anthology

#6

I didn’t carry a book while hiking the AT, but when I stopped at the Caratunk general store/post office, I picked up a book from the hiker’s box.

At my first campsite after leaving Caratunk, I started reading the book. I read the first twenty pages and I got hooked. However, I decided that I didn’t want to carry the extra weight, and gave it to another hiker. I wrote the name of the book on a scrap piece of paper and was going to check it out at the library when I finished my hike. However, I lost the scrap of paper and forgot the title of the book.

Sure would like to know the title so I could get the book. Maybe someone out there has read it. The story begins with a man and his wife on a sailboat, and she has the night watch. She accidently falls overboard while her husband is sleeping. The boat sails away from her and she is left abandoned at sea in the middle of the night. That’s as far as I got with the reading.

Has anyone read this book and knows the name of it? This was in the year 1998.

Bookworm

#7

Just rip it into sections if you are really concerned with the weight. I read many books on the AT and many books on the PCT. I read “Blue Highways” by William Least Heat Moon and found it highly entertaining. I like to read traveling books when I’m hiking but not trail books, as you get enough of that in your own hike. I suggest anything by Ed Abbey, and it was nice to read John Muir while in the Sierra. Another great book is “The Last River” about the Tsangpo River Gorge in Tibet, as it offers great natural history about the area and a great story about a kayaking team attempting to make the first run through the gorge. Anyways, carry half of a book and send the rest in your bounce box.

Cheers,

Jym Beam

jym beam

#8

Chris,
I’m going to start with a crossword puzzle booklet.
Then later, maybe grab a paperback once I get down trail.
I’d rahter sit fireside and mediate on the flames than read much while hiking (when I can safely, legally do so!).
Great hiking,
BDD

Big Daddy D

#9

I always had a book when I hiked part of the PCT in 2004. ‘Desert Solitaire’ by Edward Abbey was perfect in the desert. A friend also sent me ‘The Story of B’, which was a great read. ‘The Girl Who Loved Tom Gorden’ was creepy to read on the trail.

I mostly read during the long lunches we took in the desert and in town. I will definitely carry books in '07.

Jenny