Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail

by Barney Scout Mann

The first 700 miles has fifteen of the sixteen zones. No other PCT section rivals that diversity.

To hike a long trail, you have to learn the truth about pain: There are two kinds—pain that can be tolerated and pain that must be dealt with. Failure to recognize the second puts you in peril.

Everything changed as I hugged both of them. Leaning down, my mouth next to Dad’s ear, I whispered, “Daddy, I’m done.” I felt it deep inside—in a short while, I wouldn’t have to be strong anymore. The steel fist would uncurl. I would hike the last miles because my hiker pride wanted to say, “I walked to Canada,” but having received Mom’s and Dad’s hugs, my journey north was over in many ways.