At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. After the death of her mother, her family fell apart, and her own marriage soon disintegrated. Four years later, with nothing left to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Excitingly and stylishly told, it brims with warmth and humor, capturing the fears and joys of a young woman embarking on a journey that drove her mad, empowered her, and ultimately healed her.