A powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir: the story of a 1,100 mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe--and built her back up again. At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's devastating death, her family scattered, and her own marriage was soon destroyed. With nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State--and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than "an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise." But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone. Gorgeously told, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild is the vivid story of a young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Features a guide to the latest developments in backpacking equipment and provides practical information on hiking techniques, clothing, first aid, cooking, and selecting a campsite

View the spectacular waterfalls, gorges, and canyons of the nationally known Superior Hiking Trail, step back into Native American history alongside the quarries of Pipestone National Monument, or see bald eagles and other wildlife in Bear Head Lake State Park. Highlighting the history and geography of each route, this book introduces more than forty of the finest trails the Gopher State has to offer.

This accessible manual provides a handy reference for anyone exploring the great outdoors,, whether navigating by the stars in remote territory or planning a walking, cycling or kayaking trip.

Suffering can sometimes literally stop us in our tracks, keeping us from fully participating in our own lives and the lives of those we love. Carolyn Scott Kortge’s discovery is that an important key to joyous re-engagement with the world can be to—just as literally—get moving. If you can learn to simply start a walking practice, you’re on the road to taking back your life. Kortge offers an eight-week program for navigating your way through life’s physical, emotional, and spiritual hard times, using the healing power of movement through walking for wellness. Within the supportive framework of this eight-week program is a way to regain a sense of balance and order, even if you’re weighed down by the lethargy and loss of control that often accompany illness, depression, or trauma. You’ll discover how to link mental focus with physical movement to create healing periods of stress release. You’ll find ways to match your steps with meditation in a way that clears a path through confusion. You’ll also learn how to use walking to redirect mental focus away from fear or stress and toward peace and renewal. This book will truly help you keep moving forward, both in good times and in tough ones.

One hundred years after Shackleton attempted to cross the great white continent of Antarctica, this beautifully illustrated volume celebrates the men who succeeded where he had failed . . . and rewrote the history books

Provides guidance in understanding map symbols, traveling by compass alone, and direction finding

There are some spectacular hikes throughout the Twin Citiesí lakeshores and parks. Kate Havelin has found the best of the best and collected them into one convenient book. As an added feature, she has included a few great trails for night hikes too!

Twenty-one great Minnesota hikes highlighting parks, arboretums and nature reserves with features that will excite the younger hiker . Scavenger hunt items such as plants, wildlife or landmarks along the trail pique kids' curiosity about nature. Also included are trivia questions for the ride home.

A portrait of former Capitol Hill speechwriter Guy Waterman follows his decision to leave civilization and live off the land in a Vermont cabin, describing his passionate pursuit of mountain climbing and his controversial suicide. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.