Colin Fletcher · 1964 · overland

Colin Fletcher's first book, recounting his 1958 walk up the entire eastern edge of California, from the Mexican border to Oregon. Through the furnace of the southern deserts and Death Valley, then up the high eastern wall of the Sierra Nevada, the thousand-mile solo ramble launched the career of the man who would become the patron saint of American backpacking.

1. 1
   The Mexican Border

   Fletcher sets out from the Mexican border to walk the whole eastern length of California.

2. 2
   Death Valley

   North through the burning deserts to the floor of Death Valley.

3. 3
   The Eastern Sierra

   Up the towering eastern wall of the Sierra Nevada beneath Mount Whitney.

4. 4
   Mono Lake

   Along the high country past the strange shores of Mono Lake.

5. 5
   The Oregon Border

   To the Oregon line, a thousand miles done.