Wild by Cheryl Strayed, is an autobiographical story of Cheryl's time hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in an attempt to find herself after her mother's death. I was inclined to this book because during my year abroad I went on a similar trip called the Camino de Santiago. Mine was much shorter at 120 km in 4 days, we averaged roughly 30 km a day or 18 miles. Strayed in her beginnings was averaging " 'It's all I can do to cover eleven or twelve" (87). Part of this brings back fond memories of hiking in Spain but also the rough and painful times of the "resembles walking less than it does hell" (50) that Strayed characterizes.
What I find interesting is the reason that people embark on journeys such as the PCT or the Camino. Cheryl embarks on it to find herself pondering her life ""the PCT was the hardest thing I'd ever done... watching my mother die and having to live without her was the hardest thing I'd ever done" Strayed amends comparing the differences between mental and physical strains. Several people are very outdoorsy and it's a dream of their's, a man named Greg "he'd been planning this hike for years" (86) and a father and son Eagle scout duo "been a life long dream for [us]" (107). Meanwhile the other two whom Cheryl feels more akin to two "New England Blue Bloods," Doug and Tom, who "despite all [their] confidence and ease, he had been through something" (109). These two represent the two stereotypes of people who embark on journeys such as the PCT.
Also I notice that there are not many other people who are also hiking at the same time. At any point during the given year people will hike the Camino de Santiago and it is well known throughout Spain and France, while Strayed "had not seen a human being in eight days" (71) and people who she met in near-by towns"twenty miles from the Pacific coast.... none of them had ever heard of it" (72). This makes me wonder about the existence of other trails such as this that provide an oasis to some people but is unknown to perhaps the majority of the population.
Thinking forward to where I will do more research I might consider focussing in on other trails like the PCT or the Camino. I might also delve into the history specifically of the PCT which Strayed does touch on, but going more in depth into it. However, what intrigues me most is what I talked about above with the reasons people embark on trips like this. I do not know if there is conclusive research done on a topic like that but it is fascinating to me.
I really like your comparison of Cheryl's journey along the PCT to your own experience with the Camino, it makes your presentation much more personal. But definitely research other famous walks. There's one in Scotland my dad tried, but my aunt and uncle have completed 3 times which is called the West Highland Way which takes you from Glasgow to the West Highlands. But some people opt out of doing it not because of how long it is, but because of the amount of rain they will have to deal with. I think adding in a variety of walks will help connect a lot of the class to your presentation, whether the walks are in or out of the United States.
ReplyDeleteI think as well in your presentation you should talk about your own experience, using your own photos and how you had to prepare for it. I remember from my Spanish class my teacher said its important because this was the route that a saint walked, so the reasons for these pilgrimages are also very important to mention too.
But overall I really like your topic because I've always wanted to try one of these, and especially your own experiences makes this very interesting. Can't wait for the presentation!!
I like the idea of looking into these types of journeys. You don't have to find "conclusive" research. You can find other musings on this topic and that counts. I am imagining all kinds of genres for you and seeing a literary golden thread even...
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