Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Zero Days is a well-told tale of their epic adventure, which required love, perseverance, and the careful rationing of toilet paper. The trio weathered the heat of the Mojave, the jagged peaks of the Sierra, the rain of Oregon, and the final cold stretch through the Northern Cascades. They discovered which family values, from love and equality to thrift and cleanliness, could withstand a long, narrow trail and 137 nights together in a 6-by-8-foot tent.

Filled with tidbits of wisdom, practical advice, and humor, this story will both entertain and inspire readers to dream about and plan their own epic journey.

Six months later, Mary became the youngest person ever to successfully walk the entire trail.

Average Customer Rating:

ZERO DAYS

Customer Rating:

This was a good book and I did enjoy it a lot. I expected more of the interesting or exciting days in a chronogical order. It seemed to be written in sections ie one section was about the people they met that would not have bored me if they were written more about on the day they met. There were a few spots (the mention of Mensa meetings) that gave me a sense of snobbishness. All in all a good book.

A Very Enjoyable Book

Customer Rating:

A friend loaned me this book. I enjoyed it so much that I bought a copy for my son from Amazon. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hiking, adventure, or the outdoors. It was very well written. It reveals aspects of the Pacific Crest Trail such as the wonderful trail angels and the characters with whom hikers share the trail. This wonderful tale of Barbara, Gary, and Mary was a fun read for both myself and my husband.

An incredible adventure

Customer Rating:

If you like backpacking, hiking or camping, you will love "Zero Days." I couldn't put it down. Without a doubt, it's the best backpacking book I have read. This book has challenged me to push my limits on the trail this coming Summer. It is well written and brings to life the joys and hardships of walking a few thousand miles--with a 10-year-old--who is stronger and braver than most people of any age.

An inspiring read of physical and mental challenge

Customer Rating:

In 2004 the authors began a six-month journey to hike the length of the pacific Crest Trail with their ten-year-old daughter. Their family adventures comes to life in ZERO DAYS, which recounts their physical and mental challenges, the special obstacles and benefits which were derived from making a family effort, and their newfound discovery of family values. An inspiring read of physical and mental challenge, ZERO DAYS is a wonderful addition to any general-interest library, whether it be a collection specializing in outdoors and nature books or one catering to parents.

Uplifting Account of an Amazing Adventure

Customer Rating:

The story of "Zero Days" is far superior to what parades nowadays as "reality" programming. I am a backpacker so I've had a taste of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail that Captain Bligh, Nellie Bly, and 10-year old Scrambler set out on, and I know that it's not a stroll in the woods. The extremes of weather--from desert temperatures in the triple digits to rain, hail, snow, and sleet in the mountains--are enough to dissaude most people from setting out. Add to that the necessity of making 20-30 mile days in order to finish the trail within the hiking season. Consider the challenges involved in crossing flooded streams and ice-covered trails. Add in the creatures -- bears, snakes, mosquitoes, etc., and you have plenty of challenges to hikers of any age. It is utterly amazing that a family with a 10-year old would undertake such an adventure. What's perhaps more amazing is that "Scrambler" (Mary Chambers) consented to the trip, and flourished! An inspiring story!