Finding Community on the Pacific Crest Trail

Rich Brinkman of Leavenworth, aka “Roadwalker,” is a professor of sociology at Wenatchee Valley College. Last year he took a sabbatical to hike the Pacific Crest Trail to study the subculture of PCT hikers and the “trail angels” who help hikers accomplish their goals. During his 150-day hike, Rich conducted interviews with fellow through-hikers and made many connections with people he feels will be friends for life. He will share with us his observations about the community he found, and how our world could learn from the long-distance hiking culture.