Hiking writer Jerry Schad dies

Jerry Schad had a simple explanation for his ability to quickly experience every mile he wrote about in his guidebooks, which helped expand hiking opportunities in Southern California: "I run through the boring parts and walk through the interesting ones." His "Afoot and Afield in San Diego County," first published in 1986, is regarded as the pre-eminent guide to the region's trails. He followed it with two other well-regarded "Afoot and Afield" books, on Orange County and then Los Angeles County.

Schad died of kidney cancer Thursday at his home in San Diego, said his wife, Peg Reiter. He was 61.

An outdoors enthusiast since he discovered cycling as a University of California, Berkeley student in the late 1960s, Schad was a former adventure runner who viewed his devotion to hiking as less compulsive than previous pursuits.

About 18 months ago, he went on a first-date hike with Reiter in Balboa Park. They were married in March, four days after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The spot where they first met -- Trail 43 -- will be known as the Jerry Schad Memorial Trail.