The Importance of Confronting Your Fears and Emotions

Throughout the book, Cheryl names several main reasons that she decided to hike the PCT including the death of her mother, the end of her marriage, the deterioration of her family after her mother's death and an unplanned pregnancy that she chose to end. However, after a closer look, the reader may decipher another pattern in Cheryl's behaviors as well: the way she utilizes negative outlets to escape the negative feelings surrounding the loss of her mother. More specifically, Cheryl shares how her multiple affairs, constant moving around the country and brief but serious experience with drug addiction served as her escape from what was happening in the real world.

Being virtually alone in the wilderness of the PCT forced Cheryl to come face-to-face with her fears and emotions. She could no longer use men or drugs to escape the pain...