Episode 185: A Story About Life on the Trail – Interview Barney “Scout” Mann

Episode 185: A Story About Life on the Trail - Interview Barney "Scout" Mann

Welcome back to the Love Your Story podcast. As you may or may not know I am an avid hiker. I am the author of two editions of The Best Hikes Near Salt Lake City, published by Falcon Guides. I’m the author of Wild Weekends in Utah, and The Best Snowshoe Trails of the Wasatch. Because of my love of being on the trails, in nature, I have harbored secret desires to hike the countries longest trails - the real crow jewels. They are so long though that it takes months to through hike them and it takes a special time - no job, extra money, .… In the end, of course, those are all excuses. A few years back I hopped on the Appalachian trail and hiked the northern section and climbed the tallest peak in Maine, Mt. Katahdin. - the northern terminus of the trail. I swam naked in a stream and remember being eaten alive by the worst mosquitoes I’ve ever experienced that night in camp. But I sure love that photo on the top Mt, Katahdin. Well, today we get a fabulous pleasure to hear stories from Barney - trail name Scout - Mann about the Pacific Crest Trail and his book Journeys North. Tune in for stories of the trail and what it’s like to hike thousands of miles.   Barney Scout Mann is one of the rare individuals who have hiked America’s Triple Crown - The Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest trails. For those of you who are unfamiliar with these trails they are the longest trails in the country. The Pacific Crest Trail is 2650 miles long and covers 26 national forests, 7 national parks, 5 state parks and 3 national monuments. It takes 5 months at an average of 20 miles a day. The Appalachian Trail is 2180 miles and the Continental Divide Trail is 3100 miles. On top of that he and his wife Sandy have also hosted thousands of Pacific Crest Trail hopefuls in their San Diego home as they get ready to hit the trail. You may be familiar with the Pacific Crest Trail from the popular book and movie Wild - From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed. I can’t tell you how many questions I have about those trails, but I think what’s going to be most interesting is the stories. Let me tell you a little bit more about Scout - Barney Scout Mann is also the author of the book Journey’s North - the Pacific Crest Trail, and it’s said it is the next best thing to being on the PCT yourself. In this book he follows a selection of hikers that he and his wife got close to along the trail and tells their story. Let me read this review - “Few things are more innately human, rooted deeply in our shared history, than storytelling and traversing land masses on foot. In Journeys North, master story teller Barney Scout Mann invites us to gather around his campfire as he weaves the narrative of ordinary people hiking thousands of miles across desert and mountains. The unfolding of their stories against eh backdrop of nature at her most sublime, and her most fierce, reveals their primal humanness in powerful relief. Their interactions, with nature and with each other, prove that we are more connected and wildly capable than we believe. Tune into the audio program to hear my interview with Scout.

Where to find a copy of Journey's North

Order Journeys North on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Journeys-North-Pacific-Crest-Trail/dp/1680513214/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Journeys+North&qid=1607558123&sr=8-1 or order a copy signed by the author from his website: http://www.barneyscoutmann.com   No matter your journey or story line, one of the things you will always find is that the supporting characters in your story and on your journey provide the most meaningful spaces of stretching, loving, learning, enjoyment and growth. While Journeys North focuses on a cast of real characters making their way north together on the Pacific Crest trail, the thing that stands out are the moments someone provides a free bed, a warm meal, a hand up, a listening ear. This week see how often you can provide something positive to the people you cross paths with. And have fun on your life journey, wherever it is taking you. Thanks for being here today. Closing reminder - get your copy of LIFE - Living Intentional and Fearless Everyday and start the 21 challenges that will bring possibility, connection - in a time we so badly need it - and self care into your life. It’s available on Amazon. And if you have family or groups you can do the challenges with, it’s even more fun. Live Your Best Life Story on purpose. See you in two weeks.