Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail by Andrea Lankford is a nature-based true crime memoir. I did a blended read for this one; I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Kristi Burns, while following along in a physical copy.

A former law enforcement park ranger and investigator helps a team of women attempt to find missing hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail in this true crime adventure.

There are a ton of interwoven stories here, though the main overarching plot follows three particular investigations. The author previously worked as a park ranger, but left the force after getting tired of bureaucracy and pivoted to nursing.

She still used all of her skills from her previous career to help others. There's a great use of science and date here; she is mostly focused on the facts. There are a few other outlets she describes, like the use of mediums, though she explains her skepticism.

It really takes a village to help find missing hikers. Thanks to this book, I learned about various Facebook groups that exist to help with the search. It is heartwarming that social media can actually prove helpful in trying times. There's also interesting use of drone photography that sounds like a really cool technique. Unfortunately, many of the areas on the Pacific Crest Trail are national parks, where the use of drones is illegal. There's bureaucracy again for you.

The book also delves into hiker culture, which is very interesting. I knew a bit about that because I've completed a few states worth of the Appalachian Trail on the East coast, though that is very different from the Pacific Crest Trail.

I would highly recommend reading this physically, or at the very least holding a physical copy while you're listening to the audiobook. There are many maps, photographs, and screenshots of Facebook posts in this book. Friends of mine who read the e-book version have noted that those images were very difficult to parse on their e-reader.

Also, heads up that there is no resolution for any of the three main mysteries investigated in this book. This makes sense to me, as it's basically trying to find a needle in a haystack, but also a bit disappointing.

As an avid hiker, this book premise sounded so interesting. Surprisingly, I find people getting lost in the wildernerss and their survival (or not) is fascinating. What misktakes or simple choices lead to their misfortune? I also enjoy reading about thru hikers, the hiking culture and about the lifestyle of these individuals. The book covers the disappearance of three men (different situations) who were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. As the author looks into the disappearance and tries to find answers to what happened to these men, you also get bits of science, history of the trail, and the lives and culture of the communities and people found along the trail-even if it did feel a bit choppy at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the advance reader copy.

Every year, there are hundreds of hikers that take off onto Pacific Crest Trail. Most of them make it back without any incidents, and with some great stories. Others find trouble along the trail, and have some horror stories to share. Yet others step off, never to be heard from again - and that is where this book begins.

There are three main cases that are followed, and the many different leads that came in, locations, and more - but none have led to a successful conclusion. The names of the missing grow each year.

This was a fantastic read - I would love to type more, but I don't want to ruin the book for readers. But it was amazing, and definitely worth a read!

I've come across the PCT a few times during our hikes, whether it crossed the trail we were on or when our trail merged onto the PCT...so that made me very curious to read this! Also, Wild was a book that made me think, if she can do it, I can do it! Trail of the Lost definitely opened my eyes to a lot more of the "bad" that comes with hiking the PCT.

I also appreciate that Andrea Lankford writes this book with empathy and with respect for the victims and their families. She really does go above and beyond for many victims and their families.

I really enjoyed it, because it mixed things I love reading about when it comes to nonfiction. I highly recommend it if you're interested in nature, adventure, and true crime🥾🔎

Lankford spent her career as a national park ranger leading search and rescue missions across the country. With this background she dives into the mystery of three missing hikers on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), who disappeared one year apart from each other. Using the search for these men as the narrative foundation, she weaves in the tale of the creation of the PCT, its popularity after "Wild" was published, and both old and new stories of hikers getting lost on the trail.

It's a fascinating read. Lankford and Cathy Tarr (another volunteer) put their heads together, rolled up their sleeves, donned their hiking boots, and physically searched for the missing three over several years.

Lots of stories about what can go wrong on the 2600+ mile trail, including bad weather, unprepared hikers, wildfire, wild animals, and trail trolls [the chapter on Tony DeCampo, "king" of the trail trolls, is a jaw-dropping true crime story on its own].

Lots of stories about the "helpers" who come out of the woodwork to assist with searches, from internet sleuths to psychics to outright charlatans.

The writing evoked the beauty and the treachery of the trail, the relentlessness of mother nature. The only word to describe Lankford and Tarr is "heroic". There are still good people in the world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for the ARC. Trail of the Lost was published in August 2023.

This is a heart-wrenching story about those who go hiking on the PCT and never found. The author, Andrea Lankford, knows her stuff. The story centers on three hikers who were lost. It follows their families and tramalies as they look for answers and try to light a fire under various law enforcement agencies. As an avid hiker, the book is a cautionary tale to always carry (and activate!) a GPS device, let someone know where you'll be hiking, and let your loved ones know your wishes if something nefarious happens to you on the trail (for example, would you want your family to search forever?). As with any nonfiction book I read, I'm constantly going back and forth from the book to a search engine looking up information on the subjects. I knew that the three hikers were still lost, but kept hoping. Trail of the Lost is a great book about an awful subject.

Wow, this was really good and haunting. I found myself completely invested in Andrea's journey and really admired how she and others worked tirelessly to try to find these lost men when no one else would. Highly recommend! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Highly recommend this book. I know nothing about hiking or the Pacific Coast Trail. But while telling the stories of the three missing hikers - Chris Sylvia, Kris Fowler, and David O'Sullivan - Lankford also manages to give readers the history of the Pacific Coast Trail and insight into the hiking (especially thru-hiking) world. Lankford also does a wonderful job of telling the stories of these missing men and of their families' search of them. It is heartbreaking - but also hopeful. As part of the searches, you learn the story of Lankford and other volunteers who have given so much to help bring these men - and others missing from the trail - home.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be - a detailed account of those gone missing along the PCT and the circumstances surrounding those disappearances. Gripping true crime can sometimes be difficult to deliver, but not for Lankford. A former park ranger-turned-investigator, she does an amazing job of telling the story while refraining from bogging down the reader with details that might seem relevant, but aren't. Equal parts stories of the missing woven in with Lankford's own quest to find these hikers, it's just a really, really well done book. It's somehow chilling yet wholesome, and harrowing yet heartfelt at the same time. I was incredibly impressed with the thoughtfulness with which Lankford wrote, and I truly hope she chooses to dive deeper into true crime and/or nonfiction.

A sincere thank you to Hachette Books, the author, and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Pacific Crest Trail is one of the world’s great long-distance hikes, running 2,650 miles from Mexico to the Canadian border. It’s a chance to see some of North America’s most majestic scenery, encompassing desert and mountain, and millions of people visit parts of it each year, to hike or run. But only a very few ever walk the whole thing. Completing the entire trail — a “thru-hike” — takes five months. The challenge breeds a kind of camaraderie among hikers, who acquire “trail names” (the 2022 finishers included individuals known as “Sparkle Lizard,” “Milkshake” and “Squiggles”) and become part of a select group. Like its Eastern counterpart, the Appalachian Trail, it is a badge of honor for those who make it through.

The romance of the trail unfortunately leads some to overlook its dangers. Hikers die on the PCT, from hypothermia, drowning and falls. Many more have to abandon their hikes due to injury. Some vanish altogether. Andrea Lankford’s Trail of the Lost is about what happens next.

Lankford is a former National Park Service ranger and established author; her earlier book, Ranger Confidential, detailed the darker side of America’s national parks, from criminals operating within them to the dangers that befall unsuspecting visitors. Asked to look into the case of one missing hiker on the PCT, she discovered he was one of three recent disappearances: one each in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The missing men — Chris Sylvia, Kris Fowler and David O’Sullivan — left the small hints that hikers do: a trail name in a visitor log, a credit-card receipt, a cashier’s recollection of a purchase. Sylvia also left his gear, neatly laid out on a hill, like an ambulatory Marie Celeste. It looked as though he had just stepped away for a moment; the witness who found his belongings assumed he had. The others did not leave anything. How much further they may have hiked from where they were last seen is part of the mystery......

While most people think of the Pacific Crest Trail as a hike to gain enlightenment, a la Cheryl Strayed, this book delves into the darker aspects of hiking alone over the 2500+ miles. Andrea Lankford uses her background as a ranger involved in search and rescue to give us a compassionate glimpse into the search for three men who disappeared during their individual treks, as well as some history about the development of the PCT. The book is intriguing and the reader continues to hope for a positive outcome for each of the missing men, even when all avenues have been exhausted.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I read an earlier book by this author - Ranger Confidential. It was excellent so I knew I had to read her newest one. This was a compassionate but realistic, with knowledge and intelligence, regarding 3 searches for lost hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. She was tireless in her search, along with the many volunteers and a couple of crackpots that spent their time, money and effort to give these families some closure as to the whereabouts of their loved ones. If you love our outdoors and admire those of us adventurous enough to tackle the PCT or the AT, this is a must read!
I absolutely look forward to Andrea’s next book. A 5 star page turner!

Non-fiction is not usually a genre that I gravitate towards, but after reading Cheryl Strayed’s Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail several years ago, I was excited to dive into the PCT once again. Author Andrea Lankford, former park ranger turned nurse, is drawn back to her search and rescue roots to investigate the cold cases of three missing Pacific Crest Trail hikers who disappeared between the years 2015-2017. Teaming up with amateur and professional sleuths, Andrea exhausts leads from fellow hikers and social media posts, while hiking many dangerous parts of the PCT in search of answers as to what became of these three missing hikers. Leaving no stone unturned, including researching murderers, violent offenders, a cult, a John Doe in Brazil, psychics and a few questionable scientific methods, Lankford and her team work relentlessly to help the families of the missing find peace and closure. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is not for the faint of heart, and Lankford takes us along on the harrowing journey along the trail in her search for answers.

"On the Trail of the Lost, you may not find what you’re searching for, but you will find more than you seek."

The legendary Pacific Crest Trail stretches across the western US for 2,650 miles, from California's southern tip to Washington's northern edge. This trail, revered by hiking enthusiasts, intentionally avoids civilization, permitting only minor stops in remote areas. Thru-hiking its entirety is daunting, often requiring a lifetime of preparation. With a mere 14% completion rate, the trail poses an elusive and hazardous challenge. Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir Wild catapulted the trail's popularity, yet the trail's true essence harbors a darker reality than that uplifting narrative suggests. In her latest book, Trail of the Lost, Andrea Lankford delves into the enigmatic nature of this renowned path.

Andrea Lankford's expertise in navigating treacherous terrains began during her tenure as a National Parks Ranger. That job saw her leading search and rescue operations in some of America's most stunning yet hazardous locations. After twelve years, frustrations with bureaucratic complexities prompted her departure from the force. Transitioning careers, she dedicated the ensuing two decades to healthcare, working as a nurse. Believing her days of daring rescue missions were over, Lankford's trajectory shifted unexpectedly upon learning of the disappearances of three men along the Pacific Crest Trail. Fueled to provide closure to grieving families, Lankford joined forces with a group of determined freelance investigators, embarking on a seemingly insurmountable search.

"An unsolved case is a loose end that begs us to snip it."

Trail of the Lost sees Andrea Lankford chronicle her unwavering determination to uncover the fate of three men who ventured onto the Pacific Crest Trail. Intrigued by the mystery of their disappearance, I became as resolute as Lankford in seeking answers. Along the journey, we encounter a diverse group of amateur investigators, each more unlikely than the last. United by their shared purpose of bringing hope to grieving families, these characters drive Lankford's narrative. She candidly confronts the challenges of the Pacific Crest Trail, revealing both anticipated dangers and unexpected twists. While answers prove scarce, this mirrors the real frustrations those involved in such investigations face. The immense investment of resources, time, and emotional energy often yields little, yet the glimmer of a single revelation propels their relentless pursuit. Ultimately, this very essence motivated me to keep flipping through the pages of this enlightening book.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

This book is very well written. It brought a light to how many people go missing hiking this trail. It gives a bit of a back story on the missing people. The book is empathetic towards the people that lay victim to the Pacific Crest trail. Great read! Strongly recommended to others. Especially to those who are into The Great outdoors. This shines a light into the dangers of hiking.

A book that focuses on three of the missing hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail, this was an interesting look into the history of the trail, the culture of the PCT, methods police and sleuths have used to try and (sometimes successfully) find the missing, and the affect the missing have had on trail culture and search techniques. A little repetitive, I liked this book better than Ranger Confidential and liked that it focused on a trail that I'm not as familiar with.

I received a copy of this book for a review, all opinions are my own.

Last summer I walked Hadrian’s Wall, 84 miles across England. It was a challenge but nowhere near the gruelling trek of the Pacific Crest Trail. PCT is more than 2,600 miles long and doesn’t have a pub at the end of each stretch. And while we were in wild country for some of the walk, we were always within a mile or so from at least a farm. There was no chance of becoming “lost”.

The difficulties that PCT hikers face — and sometimes underestimate — is what attracts some climbers. Stunning views, remote wilderness, potential injuries, wild camping, and a sense of accomplishment all play a factor. While some hikers will do PCT in sections, over the course of many years, there are some thru-hikers determined to complete it within a few months. They typically start at the Mexican board in the spring and reach Canada by early fall. These thru-hikers are required to apply for a permit which helps manage the number of hikers and spread out their start dates to avoid clumping on the trail.

And yet, despite these discomforts, the experience was so life-altering, it wasn’t uncommon for thru-hikers to be afflicted by what they called post-hike depression after they completed the journey and reintegrated into society. ~ Loc. 620

Author Andrea Lankford has just about seen it all. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (the East Coast cousin of the PCT), served as a National Park Service ranger, led search and rescue efforts, operated as a criminal investigator, fought fires, and taught wilderness rescue skills. She left NPS and became a registered nurse, but the unsolved cases of the PCT continued to haunt her.

Trail of the Lost collects the investigations of Lankford as she searches for three hikers who went missing. She wrangles members of online groups, family members, locals, and psychics. She reviews trail logs, creates timelines, and then heads out in a plane fitted with lidar to search for new clues. She even discredits bunk science that preys on the last hopes of grieving families. Lankford puts her own safety on the trail time and again, determined to figure out what happened to the hikers.

The book is compelling as an interesting true crime/accident narrative, but it is also mindful. It does not sensationalize the disappearance of the hikers. Instead it puts them, as humans, and shows them to be the complicated, distinctive people they are. She highlights the hard work of all the amateur detectives dedicating their free time to finding answers. Lankford also reminds us all that answering the call of the wild is a dangerous game.

Thank you to Hachette for access to the e-galley. Read via NetGalley.

I continue to find books about people who search using science and forensics fascinating.
This one caught my attention because I always ask when people go missing what harkened??
The book chronicles the relentless search for three missing hikers who vanished along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Two things jumped out at me: the stupid bureaucracy that stymies research and possible answers and how drone aerial pictures helped successfully recover some victims.
I was crestfallen and disappointed at the end because the three missing people still remained lost.

Trail of the Lost was the second book of this nature I have read, and it really satisfied my craving for reading books about missing people in forests and National Parks. I really enjoyed the author's point of view, as she was a previous park ranger and nurse. She felt credible and very knowledgeable of the terrain and missing persons’ cases. As she takes you through 3 different main cases in the book, she also provides the back stories of the people searching for the missing hikers, as well as their families. She discusses the cases and their families with care and you can’t help but feel the sadness and sorrow of their situations. While the book does jump around a bit and I found myself lost at times, especially between the three main cases, it was a really enjoyable read that I could not put down. I wish it was longer!