Weekend Events

Friday Night

Andrew Skurka is best known for being the first person to complete the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route, a transcontinental network of long-distance hiking trails from Quebec to Washington, which he completed over 11 months in July 2005. He has also completed the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail (in 45 days), the Colorado Trail (twice), and the Appalachian Trail, plus a number of shorter trips in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Most recently, this past January he hiked 385 miles through the "Nation's Icebox," from Duluth to Ely, MN, with a pack that weighed a mere 14 pounds (minus food and water). And in early-April Skurka will begin the never-done-before 7,000-mile Great Western Loop, which links together five long-distance trails (including the PCT) and a 750-mile trail-less gap across the Mojave and Sonoran deserts; the Loop's highlights include 12 national parks and over 75 wilderness areas.

Because of his transcontinental accomplishment, Skurka was named "Person of the Year" by Backpacker Magazine in 2005 and was featured in Men's Journal's "2005 Adventure Hall of Fame"; he has also been featured in National Geographic Adventure, in The Wall Street Journal, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and on Fox News Channel. 

The 25 year-old GoLite-sponsored athlete, who when he's not hiking divides his time between Seekonk, MA, and Boulder, CO, has become an articulate ambassador for lightweight backpacking and, more generally, for the outdoors, as well as a strong advocate for living a "lightweight lifestyle" by doing more with less and minimizing one's environmental impact, with the ultimate goal of restoring the health of our planet. 

For more information about Andy, visit www.golite.com or www.andrewskurka.com

After Andy's presentation the group was entertained by Trail Stories, a celebration of the storytelling tradition.

Here Editor and Publication Manager of Pacific Crest Trail Communicator Angela Ballard entertain the group with a tale.

Mad Monte Dodge photographer extraordinaire is always good for a tale or two.

Saturday

Saturday Trail Classes provided opportunities about how to improve your trail experience.

Glen Van Peski of Gossamer Gear talks about Going Light along with Henry Shires of Tarptent.

Donna Saufley and Jerry Dinsomre were there to answer the question Are Trail Angels an Endangered Species?

Scott Williamson To Canada and Back: A PCT Yo-Yo

Pacific Crest Trail Association Staff shared past year's accomplishments with Annual Business Meeting Attendees.

Annual Business Meeting attendees were treated to great door prizes.

Two dozen vendors participated in a Vendor Fair.

Saturday evening At the Awards Dinner we celebrated our volunteers and partners. Our keynote speaker was Dave Ross. Dave hosts the Dave Ross Show from 9-12 on 710 KIRO in Seattle. He is the only talk show host since Arthur Godfrey with the nerve to sing on the air despite modest musical gifts. Dave entertained the group with a humorous hiking song after a talk about the weekend hiker.

Brice Hammack was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

2007 Award Winners

Sunday

Sunday Local outings Included a trip to Bainbridge Island.

While on the island guests visited Bloedel Reserve then lunch and wine tasting at Bainbridge Winery.

Beer and Gear was a big hit with guests boarding a shuttle bus to take them to many of the outdoor stores of Seattle with stops at REI, Feathered Friends, Patagonia, The North Face, Filson (home of the Alaska Tuxedo), and The Outdoor Research. Guests took the opportunity to stock up on gear for upcoming hikes. They topped off the morning with a no-host lunch and beer tasting at Seattle's Pyramid Ale House.

Dinner out for the hard working Trail Fest Committee Friday Night.

Interested in volunteering to help with 2008, Sacramento CA Trail Fest and make new friends? Contact Brenda Murray at bmurray@pcta.org.