If Eric's Book Hadn't have been written,, the PCT may have just folded as an " Idea" in Amercia. Eric's book of his trip down the PCT sparked a dream in the mind of a few other souls who ventured along the PCT during the 70's . The " Fallout" from this great adventure brought many of today's " For Front Warriors" of the PCT into trying to preserve this greatest trail in the USA and helped make it what it is. Eric Ryback , along with The Murray Family On Horse Back, Martin Papendick , Warren Rogers were the pioneers of this trail. I know personally after reading this book in Junior high, I wanted to be " This Guy".. Eric was a huge roll model to any long distance hiker in the 70's ... Big Thanks to Eric here.... ( If you had to pick "A" book in Amercia that launched long distance hiking,,,this would be the book, followed by Colin Fletcher's 1000 mile summer )