A year ago, a young man took a summer job with a horse packer in the Sierra Nevada mountains-and received a valuable education in the art of living. His story was captured in Allen Clyde's first book, Life Lessons on the Sierra Trail, a modern-day parable filled with love for horses, nature, and the majesty of the Sierras, all based on the author's real-life experience of more than 40 years' horse packing in the John Muir Wilderness.

Here in Clyde's second book, Trail Talk, we meet up again with young Pablo, now 19, as he joins Clyde for another summer of horse packing adventures in the high Sierras. Once again, Pablo receives a remarkable series of life lessons based on Dr. Clyde's over 40 years' experience leading riders and hikers through the mountains. The guests that Clyde and Pablo encounter present many different models of how to live, both positive and negative, from arrogant know-it-all tourists to experienced and respectful outdoorsmen. Pablo and the reader learn that self-reliance, preparedness, and taking responsibility for one's own safety help develop a confident and responsible adult.

With lyrical descriptions of the natural splendor of the mountains and charming line drawings of horses and scenery, Trail Talk is a celebration of the outdoor life and how it builds character.