For Bill Valentine the demands of his career and family responsibilities prevented him from the glory of “thru-hiking” the Pacific Crest Trail. Instead, he hiked the trail section by section over the course of 13 seasons. Learn about Bill’s adventures on the trail and the benefits of taking your time on the Pacific Crest Trail at the Downtown Bend Library on Saturday, March 15, at 2pm as part of the Know Go series throughout the month. The presentation is free and open to the public.
“Much has been written and said about the challenges and glory that come with completing the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in one season,” says Bill. But for some hikers that’s just not an option. Instead, Bill suggests that hiking the trail section by section, starting on the Mexican border and ending in Canada, can be a better fit for some hikers. During his presentation Bill will cover the dos and don’ts of preparation for completion of this premier wilderness long-distance trail, whether for a day hike, a summer long thru-hike or a 13-year odyssey.
Bill Valentine has completed four triathlons, three marathons, climbed mountains in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Nepal and kayaked the Everglades and the Columbia River– all after the age of 40. Believing that if you’re not dead you’re not done, Bill took on the 2,650-mile long-Pacific Crest Trail at the age of 53 and completed the trek at age 66. He has been a wilderness instructor, grain merchant, advertising executive, private school headmaster and corporate consultant in leadership development. He has a master’s in education and a doctorate in psychology.
For more information about this or other library programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at 312-1032.
