Wild: From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail

Quite frankly, it has been such a long time I read a memoir that was this honest, with such an invigorating and unique perspective.

"Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" is a deeply personal memoir, that details the author's 1,100-mile solo hike on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) as a way to heal from the different tragedies that form part of her existence, and her self- destructive addicting behaviors.

The author has found herself engaging in many self-destructive behavioral practices, most of them largely due to the personal tragedies that have befallen her.

You have to give it to this author, from the writing style, to the expression, there is just something unhinged about this whole novel.

The novel first introduces us to Cheryl, the author and narrator.

She is at an all-time low and lost. She finds herself at a terribly dark place, and the bottom of a continuous downward spiral that began when she lost her aging mother to cancer earlier on.

Cheryl is one of the three children, brought up in a distasteful dysfunctional home. From an abusive and alcoholic father, to a broken home, it is no wonder that Cheryl soon becomes toxic, and relies of destructive behaviors like drug addiction, inability to maintain paid employment, chronic infidelity, and a whole lot more that not only drives a wedge between herself and her husband, but threatens to tear away any semblance of stability she has left in her life.

Finally coming to the realization that she has hit rock bottom, Cheryl decides that the only reasonable thing she could possibly do, is set out on a 1,100-mile solo hike on one of the toughest trail in north America.

She prepares all that she need for the trip, both clothing and equipment and it almost seems like a suicide mission, considering that the year that she chooses to travel, happens to be one of the worst for snowfall in the mountains.

The journey is pure suicide to me, except to Cheryl, this journey signifies therapy, and a catalyst that might turn her into a stronger and fitter version of herself.

There were so many things to learn during my entire time of reading this book.

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I love how this author did not make this book entirely about her solo hike, but tried to make us see reasons why she would embark on such a disastrous journey alone.

It was not only a physical challenge, seeing the time of the year, but it was also an emotional journey.
The pain that came from the various moments of peril, where things she put in place didn't quite go according to plan, was enough to break anybody.

However, if there is one thing I have learnt, is that the toughest journeys are always the most important.

Her solo hike, did not only make for plot development, but also for character development.
She meets new people who she forms meaningful connection with, and learns that deep down within her flawed self, that she has an inner strength and resourcefulness that just needed to be activated at the right time.

This memoir was truly enlightening and enjoyable to read and it had me fantasizing just a tiny little bit about a long distant hike, except mine won't be a dangerous one.

Do I recommend? Yes, I do. Who knows, it might be just the right book to draw you out of a dark place.