Soul, Sweat and Survival on the Pacific Crest Trail

by Bob Holtel

Book Overview

" Historical documentation and pictures intertwine with John's war experience and nightmares. How it affected John, his parents, wife and children. US info on Blood Drives, recycling, rations, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1553063023
• ISBN13: 9781553063025
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: Essence Publishing (Canada)
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Inspiring Person, Great Role Model for All People, All Ages

Inspiring Person, Great Role Model for All People, All Ages I had the privilege of participating with Bob Holtel in a Zion National Park Active Elderhostel hiking program, March 12, through March 17, 2007. Each participant said a few words about themselves during the orientation meeting. Bob intrigued me when he said that he had run the entire Pacific Coast Trail. He said that he had a couple of books (Soul, Sweat & Survival on the Pacific Crest Trail) if anyone was interested in reading about his adventure. He only brought a couple of them and luckily I bought one the first night. As I started reading it and watching him run ahead of all the other participants in the daily hikes, I began to realize how lucky I was to be with such a dedicated, knowledgeable hiker/runner. At breakfasts I did my best to sit at the same table as Bob to pick his brain and to get him talking about his Pacific Coast Trail run. On the third day, I asked Bob whether he would pick a few parts of his book that he valued the most and read them to me. He read two small sections to me at breakfast. I then asked him to read to me the same two sections after we had arduously climbed Observation Point overlooking Angels Landing on our last hike (Bob's run) of the five-day program. I video-taped him reading the sections with Zion National Park Canyon in the background! (At the end of this review, I have written what he read with exuberance.) At the end of that days hike/run, I took a picture of Bob totally submerged in the Virgin River after his run so that he could prevent overuse injuries by using cold therapy, and a picture of his left foot because his second toe is permanently bent over his big toe because New Balance had inadvertently sent him a set of shoes with the left shoe a full-size smaller than the right shoe. Bob had no choice but to run with that too-small left shoe because the shoes were shipped to a remote post office and his other shoes were worn out and he was going to run over sharp, volcanic rock on the next leg of his run. I also took many other pictures capturing this very unique person. I had been having some pretty serious tennis injuries (I was 62 years old, and Bob was 76 years old) and I asked for some preventive advice. He suggested that I go see the most experienced, most knowledgeable Physical Therapist available. I did and now about nine months later I am starting to play tennis with much fewer injuries! Yesterday, November 15, 2007, I called Bob to thank him for his advice and he told me that he is planning on running the Pacific Coast Trail again - this time from North to South in two summers. He will be 80 years old when he crosses the finish line in Mexico. After experiencing Bob Holtel at Zion National Park and reading his book, I contacted Etta Clark who wrote Growing Old Is Not for Sissies and suggested that she include Bob in her upcoming third book in the series. Bob was in his mid-fifties when he ran in thr

Hugely inspiring, classic trail adventure book

I was so inspired by this book that I called Bob Holtel and left a message on his answering machine, thanking him for giving the world such a wonderful gift. It's not the narrative, which as the disappointed reviewer said, is primarily a trail diary--though a terrifically good one, especially if you're a trailie or trail ultrarunner. No, what's deeply inspiring is Holtel's spirit, which is unique. I swear, there's a wonderful, pure spiritual vibration in the writing. I felt better for having read the book, smiled often while reading it, and have recommended it to many friends who've found the same inspiration in it.

Inspiring and humbling

I'm one of those vicarious PCT thru-hikers who merely has section hiked portions of the grand trail. Bob Holtel hiked the entire way and his journey is epic and makes for a great read. I devoured the entire book in one sitting and was a little depressed when I was finished. Holtel writes very well and it's as if you're with him throughout every painful mile. When he can't find water for an evening, you're thirsty along with him. When he spies a black bear meandering across the path, you see the animal as well. He really has a story teller's gift and this book is nirvana for anyone who has actually thru hiked the Pacific Crest Trail or who has aspirations of someday doing it.From the border of Mexico all the way up to Washington, you're in step with Holtel without a boring or wasted word. This is a gripping book and an infectious reading experience.

A personal insight to physical and mental perseverance.

Bob Holtel captures the essence of all essential ingredients that combine to produce an envied athletic endurance achievement. For anyone who has rested on their own laurels of completing a marathon or two, only they can truly appreciate Bob's accomplishment - Running four consecutive marathons every week, 12 weeks straight for three consecutive summers, on uneven rocky trails and at altitude!!! The solitude of it all, the courage to run with pain and complete the task at hand, the enjoyment of simple pleasures of mountain running - these are all brought home in vivid detail through this account. As an athlete I am honored to have shared the adventure. This book has produced a new hero who has proved again that with vision, preparation, planning and courage you can accomplish your dreams.

An expedition for the soul

If you like the outdoors or sense of accomplishment that only true tests stir, then visit Bob on his rigorous trek.