Having dealt with the unlikely causes of death on the PCT, I should deal with the less glamorous but nonetheless risky business of hiking from Mexico to Canada. It is remarkably safe. In fact, significantly safer than living in the Cotswolds, home to Midsomer of the 'Midsomer Murders' fame, where at least twelve people die in batches of six installments twice per year for the last twenty-four years. By comparison, there have been eleven confirmed deaths on the PCT since 198

People's reactions are always interesting when I tell them what I'm embarking on a trip like this. First their face contorts, then their head cocks, and finally a thought is bellowed out - usually of the 'but you'll die' ripostes. I thought it would be interesting to collate all the possible common reactions... "But what are you gong to do with your hair?" has been asked more than once. I hadn't realised quite how attached people are to it until they starting concerning th

Once one has decided one is going to walk the PCT, or even at the considering-it-stage, one is likely to join up to every Facebook Group on the subject matter going - and there's quite a few, catering to different lifestyles, genders, years, ages, and eating habits. At my last count, I think I found over twenty. They all have one thing in common: post after post after post on fecking hiking gear, with a smattering of fear-mongering posts on frightful matters: like what to d

"You've got to watch Wild," she said. "With Reese Witherswatsit," she added. "And then you've got to read the book." "S'okay," I said. "I take it I don't have to invite Reese Witherswatsit to accompany me. That might be a bit of an imposition for her?" +++ Tis a book and a film (just in case you're planning on playing Charades this Christmas) about a very long walk. In America. I've watched the film and now I'm to read the book. Loved the film by the way. +++ +++ This,

"Why don't you train for an ultra-marathon?" she said. "Because I value life. Besides, I've walked just over 30kms twice recently in one go and it took me days to recover." "You'll need a good pair of shoes," she said. "And a hip replacement."I said. "You don't have to run it. Just walk it in 12 hours." "Still will hurt." "You'll have to train. And you'll have to use a proper distance training app. No more of your ludicrous make it up as you go along stuff." "Winter's comi