Minnesota author Cheryl Strayed used her hike (an expedition she was woefully unprepared for) on the Pacific Crest Trail to exorcise her personal demons. Another Minnesotan embarked on the same trip within a month of Wild's release for no other reason than turning 40 and wanting to.
Gail Francis on apowerful sense of optimism and feeling of being more connected to people and the country, how the context made all the difference and what she learned about helping others and allowing herself to be helped.