Yes, I have read Wild. I have also read I Promise Not to Suffer, A Blistered Kind of Love, Cactus Eaters and several other accounts of PCT hikes. When you wait 7 years to do a through hike, you have plenty of time to read.
But this book review is not about any of the above mentioned titles. It is about the first known complete through hike of the PCT, entitled The High Adventures of Eric Ryback authored by Eric Ryback. I stumbled upon this book totally by happenstance, and I must say that I am very glad that I did.
First, a quick synopsis. At the tender age of 17, the author decided to attempt a southbound through hike of the as yet to be completed Pacific Crest Trail. He set up five food resupply points, rummaged around for whatever maps he could find of the trail/route and headed out on his own. His total pack weight when he had a full compliment of food was 80 pounds. From his description, late spring/early summer of 1970 was a heavy snow year.
The book was written two years after the through hike, and the fact that it was authored by a 19 year old is apparent. There is a bit too much flourish in the descriptions and the writing style is a tad jerky in places. But what a tale it is. I found myself riveted to his accounts of crossing Washinton State in deep snow, route finding his way from the Oregon border to the Quincy area and suffering through the heat of the SoCal deserts.
What I found amazing about the journal was his ability to seize opportunities to explore off trail adventures. While at White Pass, he hikes over to Paradise on Mt Rainier and proceeds to summit Rainier. At Crater Lake, he dayhikes the entire perimeter of the lake. He takes the notion of a crest trail very seriously when he summits Dicks Mountain (and various other mountains) rather than skirting them like today's trail appears to.
When you frame what Mr Ryback accomplished (and yes, there are internet bound disputes as to whether he hitched rides around some sections) against what all of us aspiring PCT through hikers want to achieve, it is a bit humbling.
I suspect this book has been out of print for a while now, but if you can find a copy, give it a go.
