Oregon Uncaged

Feverishly searching for adventure and independence, Crystal left the comforts of her home and family to backpack over four-hundred miles on the Pacific Crest Trail across Oregon. She was a day hiker at best, but was determined to face the challenges that would undoubtedly come over the next thirty days. On July 1st 2015, she set out to make her dream come true; to open the cage and fly away. Oregon Uncaged is an honest and detailed memoir of one woman's solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. The story offers a true depiction of her the mental and physical afflictions she faced, her triumphs, and detailed trail descriptions of the Oregon section. "The irony was that I didn't come out here to heal. I came out here to suffer. To deprive myself of first world entitlements. I came out here to care for myself. To maybe get lost, and find my own way. I wanted to feel trampled on and broken down. I wanted to know the freedom of giving in; to surrender." Since coming home from her hike, Crystal has been building an organization called "Roots to Ridges." It is dedicated to getting women in the wilderness, and preparing them for adventure. Her mission is to educate and empower women through back-country experiences. Proceeds from the sale of this book will help fund outdoor education for women, through Roots to Ridges.