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Grizzly Bears and Razor Clams: Walking America's Pacific Northwest Trail
This book tells the story of Chris Townsend's walk along the Pacific Northwest Trail, which runs for 1200 miles from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, through the states of Montana, Idaho, and Washington. The trail is in its infancy; a mix of signed footpaths, abandoned old trails, dirt roads, animal tracks, and cross-country hikes that made route finding and hiking often quite difficult and sometimes potentially hazardous. Most nights were spent camped alone in the forests and mounts and the author often met no other hikers for many days at a time. The trail passes through some of the most magnificent landscapes in the US, many of which are featured here in the author's beautiful color photographs, all taken during the walk. "The appendices are filled with interesting specifics on weather, night camping vs. accommodations, supplies and equipment - including the camera and tripod that captured the gorgeous color photographs included on nearly every page."--The Seattle Times "Townsend makes every word count. Readers interested in the Pacific Northwest and wilderness backpacking will enjoy the combination of nature writing and practical advice."-Library Journal
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 27, 2015
As travel books go, Grizzly Bears and Razor Clams is small and unimpressive. But after thinking about it and actually reading it, the accomplishment this author describes is quite a feat. Not many people have walked the length of the new, rough, and unfinished Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) which tracks along the US/Canada border through rugged country. The trail includes miles in Glacier National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Olympic National Park as well as seven national forests. Townsend is an experienced long distance hiker and climber, having summitted Scottish peaks at home as well as walking the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Coast Trail. The PNT seemed the logical trail to try next. Townsend prepared well, planned the trip, overplanned the trip, and made arrangements for times when the trail might (as it did) disappear.
Walking alone in grizzly country on remote trails that appear and disappear might seem crazy to some, but to the wilderness lover it has an allure like nothing else. Townsend's photos capture the beauty of the trail and the account registers his discomfort when returning to town and sleeping in a real bed. While the discomfort might have been exacerbated by culture shock, many wilderness lovers will recognize the state of mind Townsend describes.
This quick read is divided into trail sections that read in easily managed chapters, with some nice appendices at the end which list accessories, statistics, equipment and more. I've no idea why razor clams are in the title--they appear nowhere in the book. I recommend the book to anyone heading to the Northwest for hiking and/or camping.~ Tessa 3 out of 5 stars
PS Yes, I confess that, as he got closer to Forks, I thought often of the Twilight series.
Walking alone in grizzly country on remote trails that appear and disappear might seem crazy to some, but to the wilderness lover it has an allure like nothing else. Townsend's photos capture the beauty of the trail and the account registers his discomfort when returning to town and sleeping in a real bed. While the discomfort might have been exacerbated by culture shock, many wilderness lovers will recognize the state of mind Townsend describes.
This quick read is divided into trail sections that read in easily managed chapters, with some nice appendices at the end which list accessories, statistics, equipment and more. I've no idea why razor clams are in the title--they appear nowhere in the book. I recommend the book to anyone heading to the Northwest for hiking and/or camping.~ Tessa 3 out of 5 stars
PS Yes, I confess that, as he got closer to Forks, I thought often of the Twilight series.
June 12, 2013
This book was about a hiker from Scotland who was hiking the Pacific Norhtwest Trail. I had not previously heard of this trail which runs from the east end of Glacier National Park through North Cascades and Olympia Parks to the Washington Pacific coast. Of particular interest was the photos that the authors took of the hike.
May 25, 2016
I've been on a little piece of this trail. After reading this book, I'm motivated to check out more of it! Great read!
June 25, 2018
I like thru hiking books, and this one covers a relatively new, and still developing national hiking trail from Glacier National Park westward thru Olympic National Park and to the Pacific Ocean. Good pictures, maps, and writing.
May 7, 2023
Oh we just had the full flower moon and wildflowers are blooming. This book has me itching for long days in the woods and sleeping under the stars. I can picture some areas in Washington that he goes through along the trail and other sections he has me searching the maps. Enjoyable, quick read.
August 9, 2022
A quiet little book that shares the highlights and the lowlights of a great trail.
June 5, 2016
It was a chore for him to hike and me to read, gave up on page 129
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews