The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook, Second Edition

Blast from the Past

Published in 1996, this book was the predecessor of Beyond Backpacking and Trail Life.

Endorsements

America's leading authority on lightweight long distance hiking shares his secrets.

The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook is two books in one. First, it details how to plan and prepare for a journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. And second, it details the latest techniques for efficient, injury-free, and enjoyable hiking. The author is eminently qualified to write this book, with more than 20,000 miles of hiking to his credit, including three trips along the PCT. He writes mainly for the determined distance hiker, but many of his methods are equally useful for the weekend backpacker. And what makes the book unique is its innovative approach. Most of its material is original.

Endorsements

For The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook

Anders I. "My congratulations for an excellent book. The "Ray Way" is starting in Sweden too."

Abe A. "Based on 35 years of backpacking experience I can honestly say that The PCT Hiker's Handbook rates among the top books on the subject."

Johnny A. "I found the Handbook extremely helpful in my preparations."

Michael A. "If there was ever a book perfectly suited to the hiker's needs, The PCT Hiker's Handbook is it. It is filled with fresh, new and vital information - not the same old rhetoric. Believe me when I say that the Handbook will become a classic! Bravo! for your effort."

Danica A. "A wonderful source of practical inspiration."

Matt A. "I'm really glad that I got a hold of the Handbook - I doubt that I could have organized it in the last month-and-a-half without it. The itineraries made it easy."

Andy B. "Thank you for writing the Handbook. It has been very helpful to us long distance neophytes."

Scott B. "The PCT Handbook is informative and a pleasure to read. I'm sure its valuable advice will be helpful during my upcoming trip."

Jonathan B. "The PCT Hiker's Handbook is one of the best books I have ever read. It has an extraordinary combination of detailed practical advice coupled with spiritual and emotional insight. Jardine's joy in hiking, his love of Nature and of God, and his commitment to serving others shine through his words."

Tod B. "The handbook is a great asset to the hiking community. I recommend it frequently."

Bruce B. "I enjoyed the book and have employed some of its ideas to good advantage. In fact, the footwear discussion was so revolutionary that I wrote to Nike, recommending they hire Ray Jardine as a designer."

David B. "The Handbook opened my eyes and changed my way of thinking towards hiking principles I had always considered standard practice. Great information!"

Jack B. "I enjoy Ray's ideas and enthusiasm immensely and also his willingness to share it! My eyes have certainly been opened."

Steve B. "The Handbook has been unbelievably helpful in my adventure planning."

Dennis C. "It's the journey, and we're going, thanks in no small part to the Handbook!"

Frederick C. (Retired pilot United Airlines) "This year, as in years past, I've found myself adopting more and more of the techniques and advice of my backpacking guru - Ray Jardine. A roaring round of applause for his PCT Hiker's Handbook! This one small volume may, indeed, be changing a whole generation's thinking on how to approach not only long distance trails, but backpacking in general. It seems to be approaching almost cult status. The book is without peer."

Scott C. "The Handbook fills a real gap in the overall picture. It's a very worthwhile source of information for anyone contemplating much hiking. I made some major changes in my thinking, and experimented with many of the book's ideas. The Handbook, along with the Wilderness Press guidebooks should be all the planning material one needs to plan to hike the PCT."

Randy C. "Great insight. Very candid and readable. Backed with real I-can-taste-it experience."

Fred C. "Contains lots of helpful information."

Tom C. "The PCT Hiker's Handbook is the most unique hiking book on the market - there are no others that even come close."

Karl D. "(PCT 91, LT 92) I have found The PCT Hiker's handbook to be excellent; very well organized and clear. I even saw a number of its ideas being used by AT through-hikers last summer."

Dan D. "I might as well praise the PCT Handbook while I'm at it. When I first read it several years ago it was like receiving a breath of fresh air."

Ann E. "A wonderful book!"

John & Sandy E. "Full of good ideas."

David F. "A very valuable resource."

Al F. "Thank you for the insight of writing the Handbook."

Pete F. "I enjoyed reading The PCT Hiker's Handbook (several times). It is loaded with good things that make it a very worthwhile addition to backpacking literature."

Denny F. "My copy looks more like rainbows of colors with many parts underlined and highlighted."

Tom F. "A friend recommended I order the Handbook and take advantage of some of the wisdom it contains."

Steve F. "The Handbook has been very valuable to me as I plan my PCT walk this summer."

Jeff G. "Invaluable in planning our through-hike."

Judy G. "The Handbook helped us tremendously to prepare for the PCT. We avoided several major mistakes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge."

Paul G. "I almost have your book memorized. Thanks for all your help."

Andrew H> "I read the Handbook for the third time and still found gems of useful information."

Brandon H. "Humbled by a lack of long-distance trail miles, we are open to the innovative and trail-tested wisdom Ray Jardine describes in The PCT Hiker's Handbook."

Dennis H. "Very good job, very informative. The Handbook is a MUST-READ for all hikers. I'd never been west before and it helped prepare me for hiking out there. Enclosed is a check for three more for my friends. Send them ASAP please!"

Ray H. "I wouldn't have tried the PCT without your book. I doubt I would have succeeded without your advice and information."

Garrett H. "The PCT Hiker's Handbook has been an incredible inspiration and technical juggernaut!"

J.H. MD "I really enjoyed The PCT Hiker's handbook. I frequently found myself saying "Yes! Right on! That's what I think too!" or "Yes! I thought I was the only one who had thought of that!"

Phil H. "Useful as well as provocative...new, fresh approaches to age old challenges."

Rick H. "Thanks for making it easier for the rest of us."

C. H. USMC "Just received and finished reading the PCT Hiker's Handbook. Enjoyed it. However, I now find I need more. Please send me the PCT guidebooks."

Matthew J. "An excellent book. Very good reading."

Marc J. "A very stimulating book, with innovative ideas!"

J. J. "I found many nuggets of information."

Alan J. "I was climbing in Yosemite Valley when Jardine was there, and have used the "Friends" protection devices since the beginning. So I have been familiar with his name for quite awhile. I was therefore surprised and glad to see The PCT Hiker's Handbook. Jardine seems to have successfully put the same inventiveness and attention to detail that he used to create "Friends" into his hiking book, in a straightforward and well organized format. In an insecure person, such a considerable background might have come through in the book as a sermon or a chance to brag. Instead, it is honest, practical and warm. He has done a fantastic job."

Wallace K. "I just finished reading the Handbook. Very enjoyable! Good information."

Lynnea L. "Thanks for sharing your experience with others; we really appreciate the time and effort you put into the Handbook."

Dustin L. & Julia B. "Had a great impact on us, and inspired us both."

Richard L. "The writing is clear and substantive."

Steve L. "The book is much more than practical. Ray puts the experience of grandeur into fanciful words of achievement. Words that inspire dreams."

Alfred L. "A fine book. Has much useful information for we Eastern backpackers."

George M. "It is the only "how to" book in my experience that goes way out on a limb with radical ideas and makes no concession to conventional wisdom. It revolutionized my thinking and was a major ingredient in my success."

Jerry M. "How do you thank someone for inspiration and dream building? The PCT Hiker's Handbook has been a constant source of motivation for me."

Dick M. "Keep the new ideas coming."

Jim M. "I have enjoyed the Handbook immensely."

Tom M> "Most comprehensive."

Mary M. "Thank you for your genuine human caring and motivation in your books and examples."

Scott M. "An outstanding job on the book! It's great!!!"

Ward N. "Your Handbook has been like the answer to a prayer! It is an immense help and especially so when one is planning a PCT hike but has not hiked any part of the PCT and is 3,000 miles away."

Julie N. "I have found The PCT Hiker's Handbook extremely helpful. It has changed the way my husband and I approach our section-at-a-time journey on the PCT."

Jason O. "Your book impressed me for its content and style. I've sold my friends on many of its ideas, citing your book with weighty authority. They are all quite impressed with the logic of these snippets. Your gospel, it seems, is getting out."

Chris O. "Many thanks for sharing your knowledge of long-distance hiking techniques. Your and Jenny's more extensive experience convinced us to give your ideas a try. And, we're glad we did!"

David P. "Essential reading in preparing for any long hike."

Ruth P. "I find the Handbook extremely informative and inspiring."

Charles P. "Thanks for all your help and your contributions to the hiking community and the planet."

Robert P. "Sounds like you're on to something that will make the wilderness experience even more pleasurable!"

Rob R. "I have read The PCT Hiker's Handbook several times and am constantly referring back to it. Its ideas, experience and practical knowledge have been invaluable in planning my hike. It has made an astronomical contribution me and to all thru-hikers. A wonderful book!"

Steve Roper (Originator The Sierra High Route and author of its guidebook): "Never have I seen such a detailed treatment of long-distance hiking. And I especially enjoyed browsing through the philosophical sections."

John R. "I was quite taken with the book's concise format and attention to detail."

Carl S. "An incredible source of sensible backpacker's know-how."

Jeff Schaffer (Principle author and cartographer, the PCT Guidebook) "Contains a lot of very crucial information. Long distance hikers need such a book."

Libby S. "The Handbook is very well read. Along the trail Jardine's name is mentioned by nearly every hiker out for longer than the weekend. He's made people rethink this whole thing - and that's good!"

Scott S. "The Handbook touched on several important subjects that have never been mentioned by other writers. It was a real eye opener for me, and I learned some important lessons. Jardine's stealth camping, for example, is an idea whose time has come."

Frank & Diane E. "We found The PCT Hiker's Handbook to be very enjoyable reading and chocked full of information. Unfortunately, we purchased our copy only a month before we started our hike, and had already spent dozens of hours developing our itinerary. If only we had learned about the Handbook earlier we could have saved all of that planning time!"

Curtis S. "Jardine has become something of a backpacker's guru here in my area. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be hiking in tennis shoes and swearing off freeze dried food, I would have laughed. Now I get a good laugh thinking of what I used to put myself through! The PCT Handbook has certainly helped me to reduce my packweight."

Richard S. "I can't say enough about The PCT Hiker's Handbook and the well of experience from which it flows. Utterly absorbing."

Chris T. "Jardine has carefully considered all aspects of backpacking and has come to some startling conclusions. His PCT Hiker's Handbook challenges many standard views and is a refreshing and important addition to the literature of backpacking. I recommend it highly."

Karl U. "The PCT Hiker's Handbook helped pave the way for the most incredible journey of my life. I found it invaluable during my preparations. As much as a PCT through-hike is a wilderness experience, it is also a physical and logistical task, and one's preparation must reflect this. The trick is to minimize any problems associated with the hike so that you can enjoy yourself. Several hikers I've met did not plan enough (mostly out of arrogance) and they have been humbled. So, step number one is to read this book thoroughly. I've read it twice and think it's outstanding. It really accelerates the learning curve."

Bill V. "I couldn't sit still after reading it!"

Margie W. "Excellent book! I feel very fortunate to have encountered Jardine's expertise."

Ian Wade (Former Vice President, Outward Bound USA; Current Programs Director, Pacific Crest Outward Bound; past president, American Mountain Guides Association): "The PCT Hiker's Handbook is refreshingly more informed than any other. I enjoyed reading it immensely."

Greg W. "I've read The PCT Hiker's Handbook a few times and find it extremely valuable."

Brent W. "Very positive inspiration."

Bill W. "I view the Handbook as some sort of personal watershed in my mountain traveling style."

Andrew W. "Enclosed is a check for a third Handbook, for a friend. Thank you for writing this wonderful book."

Scott Williamson "The book fascinating, valuable and loaded with very good ideas and techniques. I recommend it to anyone planning a long hike."

Thomas Winnett, (President & CEO, Wilderness Press) "All trekkers and would-be trekkers are in Jardine's debt for his excellent and extensive advice for long-distance walking."

Bob W. "I just finished reading the PCT Handbook, and want you to let you know how much I liked it. Who would not enjoy having their most aberrant behavior, i.e, preoccupation with fractional ounces, legitimized by an authority in the field?!"

Joel Z. "I've put many of its suggestions into practice."

THE AMERICAN HIKER "Ray Jardine is best known among mountaineers for inventing the "Friend," an invaluable tool for technical rock climbing. But among hikers, he and his wife, Jenny, may be better known for their lightweight approach to hiking. Their typical pack weights are remarkable, and their PCT Hiker's Handbook is a superb first stop for those in the dreaming stage. Even if you're not planning to hike the PCT, Jardine's philosophy of traveling lightly through the landscape is a good one, and is well presented. Virtually all hikers, no matter how experienced, will pick up invaluable tips for the trail. This book would be a welcome addition to any backpacker's library."

ADVENTURE WEST "An entertaining and informative book written from the personal experiences of a well-traveled hiker, Ray Jardine. This is not a guidebook as the title implies, but rather a compendium of notes and first-person informative accounts packaged in the form of a manual to aid any long-distance hiker in both planning and preparation as well as the art and skills of long-distance hiking. A worthwhile read, even if your trailwise goals are somewhat less ambitious."

WILDERNESS PRESS "A perfect how-to companion to our 2-volume guide to the Pacific Crest Trail. It tells you just about anything you would possibly need to know in order to be fully prepared for the difficult task of walking from Mexico to Canada. The book has wonderful advice for any hiker preparing for a long, or medium distance trail. Author Ray Jardine and his wife Jenny have hiked the whole PCT three times, and the wealth of knowledge they have accumulated is invaluable."

The Herald, Everett WA "Long-haul hikers should hike quickly to the nearest bookstore and ask for The PCT Hiker's Handbook. The book is crammed with good information."

The Great Outdoors, Chris T. "The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook is the most interesting and thought-provoking work on backpacking I've come across in years. Although it does contain specific information for prospective Pacific Crest Trail walkers, most of the material is worth studying by any long-distance backpacker. And I mean studying. There is a great deal in this book that needs thinking about. Since I bought it I've read it three times, and will probably read it a few times more."

Great Expeditions, Robert F. "Anyone contemplating a multi-month thru-hike of the PCT, or shorter jaunts, can't do without The PCT Hiker's Handbook. I'm not given to hyperbole, but this book is a gem! Unlike the factual reportage-type writing in many hiking books or guides, Jardine's prose makes this book a standout. Right from the words on the dedication page the author grabs hold of the reader's interest and never lets go.

While essential for everyone heading out on the PCT, every hiker can benefit immensely from this book. Jardine is a wilderness instructor, very experienced long-distance backpacker, mountaineer, rock climber, sailor, pilot and sea kayaker. He has much hard-earned knowledge to impart and does it well. And in the process he calms our fears about potential injuries, bears, ticks, snakes, potable water, insects, poison oak, crossing snow covered trails, fording rivers, and more. He also cuts through the hype associated with modern backpacking equipment and clothing.

This book is needed in every hiker's library. And as the principal author of the PCT Trail Guides said, "Jardine's advice just might save your life."

Mark M. "All I can say is thank God for The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook. Once I actually started practicing its wisdom I found it to be profound."