Thirst 2600 Miles to Home by Heather "Anish" Anderson

Anish, the trail name for Heather Anderson is one tough lady! Not only does she hike in a dress, her goal is to break the Pacific Crest Trail record.

This memoir is her journey to break Scott Williamson’s PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) record. That is 2,650 miles of thru-hiking. Does she? No spoiler alerts here. You’ll need to read the book.

However, what you’ll find is that this travel book is less about breaking Williamson’s 2011 crazy fast record (64 days, 11 hours and 19 minutes) and more about the journey of a woman from personal bondage to freedom.

Anderson didn’t set out to be a hiker. In fact, overweight as a child, she fought against body insecurity. A summer working at the Grand Canyon opened her eyes to what nature could do for her. She hiked South Kaibab to North Rim barefoot after her cheap sandals broke. This woman does not allow obstacles to get in her way.

She begins her unsupported (meaning you carry everything needed except water) FKT (fastest known time) PCT quest. Whew, that’s a lot of jargon to simply say Anderson needed to outside and be on her own to discover her identity while trying to break a hiking record.

She arrived in San Diego, ready to begin her quest with an outdated headlamp, an old pack and tent wearing a thrift store dress. Anderson says, “A small voice inside me whispered, ‘All that’s left to do then is walk.’” (page 15)

You find yourself dying for a drink of water throughout most of this book. Seriously, have a cup nearby. Anderson, hikes 40+ miles/day for over a month, thirsty for most of the hike. Turns out thirst is symbolic of many things in this outdoor adventure book.

Thru-hiking is no picnic. It requires resolute determination to not give up when the going gets tough, the toe turns black and the back has sores inches deep from an bear can clanging against it for days. It’s eating Oreos and granola bars on repeat and going weeks without a shower.

As Anderson comes to the end of her hike, she faces one of her biggest trail threats - mountain lions. Fear no longer rules her and she roars, loud like a lioness. It was at this moment that she realizes nothing can ever stop her. A broken marriage, relationship, blisters or thirst will no longer rule her path. In her loudest voice, she “shattered the silent forest…’NOTHING. WILL.STOP. ME. FROM GETTING.TO CANADA.’” (page 170)

This book makes you take inventory of your obstacles. Could you take on a 2,000 mile trail? Anderson brings you on her heart’s journey to accomplish the Fastest Known Time (FKT) of the PCT. You just might end the book with an insatiable desire to be outdoors, to see the world and hike the same trail.

We gives this read two thumbs up. Parts of the hike’s descriptions feel repetitive, making you want to skip on through to the next chapter. Try to stay focused and read the words. The hardfought lessons of the trail are there in Anish’s words. They are worthy of your time.

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Melodie Monberg