Infinite Jest - 3/4 Done hike

This is a literary hike for the novel "Infinite Jest".

WARNING:This book is NOT an easy read. We've already had a few folks who had never given up up on reading a book until they encountered this one. A books on tape version probably won't work. And the first 170 pages is kind of slow. But, if you persist, you may find it to be one of the best books you've ever read.

Based on feedback from the last hike, this hike will correspond to 75% of the book. So read to page 723.

According to Wikipedia:

Infinite Jest is a 1996 novel by David Foster Wallace (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Foster_Wallace). The lengthy and complex work takes place in a North American dystopia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystopia), centering on a junior tennis academy and a nearby substance-abuse recovery center. The novel touches on many topics, including addiction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction) and recovery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance-abuse_rehabilitation), suicide (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide), family relationships (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_relationship), entertainment (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment) and advertising (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising), film theory (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_theory), United States-Canada relations (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States-Canada_relations) (as well as Quebec separatism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_sovereignty_movement)), and tennis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis). The novel includes 388 endnotes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endnotes) that cap almost a thousand pages of prose, which, together with its detailed fictional world, have led to its categorization as an encyclopedic novel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedic_novel).

In 2005 it was included by Time (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_(magazine)) magazine in its list of the 100 best English-language novels published since 1923.

Here is what we do:

1. READ the book. Actually just read 3/4 of the book - up to page 723 - you'll learn what a fnord is and can then participate in the discussions about this book. After this hike, we'll have a final hike in 2016 to finish the book.

2. Be ready to HIKE (with hiking boots, legs, sweat) to a beautiful spot at around sunset. Be able to keep up with the group and get out before it gets darker than music of evil. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, water, appropriate footwear and clothing. You must be responsible for being fit enough to hike and getting yourself to the destination and back.

3. Bring amazing snacks to share. Your host generally focuses on wine and cheese, but the other two food groups, sugar and salt, are also popular.

The hike: about 4 miles round trip to Century Lake. We'll have our discussions and potluck at the picnic table near the lake.

Rain, fire, revolution will result in rescheduling of this event.

PREPAREDNESS: Bring 1-2 liters/quarts of water (or other suitable liquid) and snacks to share with your fellow hikers. Please wear appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots) and be prepared with extra clothing, sunglasses and a headlamp for our return hike. Hiking pole(s) and a camera might come in handy.

Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 600'
Difficulty: strong beginner
Dogs: It's State land, so dogs are prohibited on the trails
Restrooms: no
Water Fountain: no
Parking: Free on Mulholland - make sure you are OFF of the pavement
Trail: Mostly single-track, some fire road
Sunset: 7:43 pm

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