Virtual Event: Barney Scout Mann

Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes author and long-distance hiker BARNEY SCOUT MANN for a discussion of his book Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail. He will be joined in conversation by professional hiker LIZ THOMAS, author of Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review.

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While payment is not required, we are suggesting a $3 contribution to support this author series, our staff, and the future of Harvard Book Store—a locally owned, independently run Cambridge institution. In addition, by purchasing a copy of Journeys North on harvard.com, you support indie bookselling and the writing community during this difficult time.

About Journeys North

In Journeys North, legendary trail angel, thru hiker, and former PCTA board member Barney Scout Mann spins a compelling tale of six hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007 as they walk from Mexico to Canada. This ensemble story unfolds as these half-dozen hikers—including Barney and his wife, Sandy—trod north, slowly forming relationships and revealing their deepest secrets and aspirations. They face a once-in-a-generation drought and early severe winter storms that test their will in this bare-knuckled adventure. In fact, only a third of all the hikers who set out on the trail that year would finish.

As the group approaches Canada, a storm rages. How will these very different hikers, ranging in age, gender, and background, respond to the hardship and suffering ahead of them? Can they all make the final 60-mile push through freezing temperatures, sleet, and snow, or will some reach their breaking point?

Journeys North is a story of grit, compassion, and the relationships people forge when they strive toward a common goal.

Praise for Journeys North

"The best thing to do in the summer is to backpack. But if you can't backpack, then read this great forthcoming book about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, by Barney Scout Mann. It made me long for the trail" —Nicholas Kristof, via Twitter.

"Journeys North takes us along on a challenging and rich hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. The year is 2007, when Barney ‘Scout’ Mann and his wife, Sandy ‘Frodo’ Mann, set out to thru-hike from the Mexican border to just over the Canadian border. Scout’s imagery transported me, but most engrossing of all may be the relationships that formed as Scout and Frodo worked their way north while walking their 20-to-30-mile days, with four other hikers—Blazer, Dalton, Tony, and Nadine—and an extended family with dozens more. A rich tale of adventure, freedom, accomplishment, fears and tears—you need to read this book!" —Susan “Backpack45” Alcorn, author of We’re in the Mountains Not Over the Hill

"The long trails teach us the importance of wilderness, value of freedom, and a realization of what’s important in life. It’s about those we meet too, and this is where Journeys North triumphs. The building of new friendships, and nurturing of the existing ones is a delight to read. A truly worthwhile memoir." —Keith “Fozzie” Foskett, long-distance hiker and author of The Last Englishman