REVIEW: ‘Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail’ by Barney Scout Mann
Image courtesy of Mountaineers Books / Provided by official site.
Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail, the new book about a group of thru-hikers on one of most famous trails in the United States, is a moving portrait of a long journey over the course of six months. Barney Mann, whose trail name is Scout, left the southern border with Mexico in spring 2007. His destination was the northern border with Canada, with his adventure taking him through desert stretches in California and high peaks in the Sierra Nevada. Joining him were his wife, Sandy (Frodo is her trail name), and a motley variety of other thru-hikers, all taking the 2,650-mile journey for a variety of reasons.
Mann’s book is a unique testimony because most of the narrative doesn’t focus on him or Frodo. Instead, he takes great care in detailing the trials, tribulations and triumphs of his fellow hikers on the trail, including Blazer, Nadine, Tony and Dalton. He describes their private lives before the hike, the struggles they faced during childhood and what their motivations are for this gargantuan feat. These multiple perspectives, which are described in a journalistic and sympathetic manner, are what make Journeys North stand apart from other trail books, including most notably the stellar Cheryl Strayed PCT book Wild. So, if a reader is wondering whether another thru-hike book is worth the commitment, this one is a definite yes.
Mann’s pacing — no pun intended — is also quite unique. He takes a lot of time with the first parts of the trail in Southern California, and he also gives equal weight to the Sierra Nevada in the northern reaches of the Golden State. His Oregon and Washington sections move faster, but that’s actually welcome news because he doesn’t repeat himself with the same blisters, sprains and tiredness that is featured earlier in the trail. That being said, he leaves ample space for the thrilling conclusion, which is both unexpected and revelatory.
Early in the book, it can be difficult to follow the narratives. There are a lot of names to learn (trail names and real names), so it took this reviewer a few chapters to understand the cast of characters and the lay of the land. When everyone become known and familiar, and Mann had carved out a full characterization for each player, it was great fun following them on the journey and hoping for the best.
The risks faced by the thru-hikers is real. Most PCT hopefuls fail to reach Canada, either because of personal injury, being drained of energy, running out of money or the uncertain weather, including the wintry landscape in the early days of October. Mann uses the various episodes of the hikers as entry points to talk about the ravages on the human body that can happen when someone walks nearly 3,000 miles. Frodo’s fall and subsequent loss of teeth is a harrowing experience. Ditto for shoes that don’t fit, water that may be contaminated and sometimes the need to eat a meal in an outhouse (that wind can be dreadful). Readers cheer on Mann and company as they make their way through the elements and the challenges, but there’s also a note of envy because they are living a fulfilled life, one earned by sweat and stamina.
Journeys North is a marvelous read about the quest to triumph the Pacific Crest Trail, no matter the difficulty or setback. These 2,650 miles never seemed more alive with potential and opportunity.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail by Barney Scout Mann. Mountaineers Books. 316 pages. Click here for more information.
