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Rating: 
Summary: Great Adventure, Good Writing
Review: Hiking the length of the Continental Divide takes a lot of physical and mental strength, and Karen Berger was up to the challenge on both counts. I think the author is a better writer than many who have written about the long thru-hikes.Hoping to hike this trail myself someday, I bought and read this book to learn what I could, and I learned a lot. I wish there had been more written about wildlife, of which they certainly must have seen plenty. I could have used a little less discussion of trail politics, history, grizzly bear fear, and the pain of steep climbs, and more on gear, camp life and the magic of the trail: the smell of wet sage, pines, and alpine tundra; or watching meteor showers in a black sky while camped along babbling brooks. On the other hand, the trail is different things to different people, and Karen did a good job of painting the experience as she saw it. This book is well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Hiking off trail and 'in-the-know'
Review: Karen Berger and Dan Smith report from their 3,000 mile trek about issues that are near to the heart of any hiker. They discuss issues around cattle on public land, about the use and misuse of water and about the way hikers influence the land and the people around them. The narrative includes information on the history of the American West and historical 'hikes' such as the Lewis and Clark expedition. By mixing these tidbits with a delightful report of the difficulties and wonders of their hiking they create a book that is best read by candle or flashlight in the comfort of your tent. The only problem is that it is too heavy to take on a long-distance hike. Recommended for anyone contemplating the Continental Divide Trail or any other long distance hike.
Rating:
Summary: Feel as if you are walking the trail with the author!
Review: Karen has succeeding in writing an intimate, lively book. She succeeds in taking the reader along with her on the trail. Her descriptions are immediate and rich in detail. It is a shame they have elected to leave out Daniel's journal entries. I thought they were a great part of their book about the Pacific Crest Trail. Karen and Dan try to see both sides of the issue, even when they are passionate advocates. This is a rare trait, much to be valued. I think she may need to read Edward Abby's Desert Solitaire again, he is more complicated than she sees him. She paints truly beautiful word pictures of the high country along the divide. I disagree with her on one point. She seems to have compassion and understanding for most wildlife but a pathological dislike for cattle. As an example is her description of the cattle running down the trail ahead of her, looking back in fear. She sees the animal as stupid for not just running away from her. Perhaps she has not recognized this as a herd animal, used to being herded by humans. Maybe the cows were in reality wondering if this crazy human really knew where it wanted her to go! It may be more exasperated than frightened. Just a thought. If you want a sense of what it would be like to hike the Continental Divide this book is for you. I hope Karen & Dan keep hiking and writing.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive feat, book not quite as impressive
Review: What the authors set out to do is pretty amazing -- walk along the Continental Drive from Mexico to Canada -- but the book which chronicles their journey isn't quite in the same league. Still, it did what good travel writing should -- it made me want to go out and try to do it myself.
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