A Long Trek Home : 4,000 Miles by Boot, Raft and Ski

From Puget Sound to the Bering Sea-Four thousand miles along the edge of the pacific A world reduced to just two small packs and the next one hundred yards In June 2007, Erin McKittrick and her husband, Hig, left Seattle for the Aleutian Islands, tra... Read more

From Puget Sound to the Bering Sea-Four thousand miles along the edge of the pacific A world reduced to just two small packs and the next one hundred yards In June 2007, Erin McKittrick and her husband, Hig, left Seattle for the Aleutian Islands, traveling solely by human power through some of the most rugged terrain in the world. This is the story of their unprecedented trek along the northwest coast and their encounters with pelting rains, ferocious winds, blizzards, and bears, as well as with the tiny communities that this wild region. An epic wilderness adventure, their journey is also one of learning and discovery. Erin and Hig set out with a desire to better understand the interplay between human communities, ecosystems, and natural resources along their route. They pass through clear cuts, mining areas, and streams with declining wild salmon populations. By taking each mile step by step, they intimately explore the coastal regions of Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. By hiking cross-country skiing, and packrafting, they see the wilderness in its larger context and gain a unique, on the-ground perspective. Whether discussing politics with off-the-grid back-to-landers, spooking a grizzly from the underbrush, repairing gear with dental floss, or catching a still-warm pizza falling from the sky, Erin and Hig experience a rich and varied coast, a world facing destructive change, but with hope for a sustainable future. Book jacket. Less