A Record Hike _ and a Visit to Hatcher Pass in Alaska

I usually don't race up the mountain when I hike. Sure, I can be competitive _ try to play me in a board game _ but I like to savor the walking experience. I admire the views, take photographs and try not to get so tired that I'm not enjoying myself anymore. Of course, it all depends on the group I'm leading. If they want fast, then it's fast. 

That said, I truly admire the speed hikers who set records. Today on the hiking blog we present a story about Josh Garrett, a 30-year-old cross-country coach at Santa Monica College. Josh hiked the Pacific Coast Trail _ from Mexico to Canada, 2,660 miles _ in just 59 days, 8 hours and 14 minutes, battling heat exhaustion along the way.

Read Josh's compelling story here, as told by Tom Stienstra of the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/article/Josh-Garrett-finishes-PCT-in-record-time-4741079.php#page-1

Also today we have a first-person account of the Hatcher Pass hike in Alaska, written by Shawn Lyons. 
http://www.adn.com/2013/08/20/3033494/minding-the-weather.html

After you dream of Alaska, I'll remind you that next year we're going back to Switzerland, and also to Vermont, Nevada and Virginia. Learn more here: http://myhikingvacations.com/  

See you on the trails.

Joseph