In summer of 2008, Aaron J. Nicholson set out to complete the unthinkable: a 460-mile solo backpacking trip across the State of Oregon without resupplying food or gear. Carrying an immensely heavy pack containing an unappetizing variety of calorie-rich foods, he started his quest at the California border and trekked north on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, determined to reach the Columbia River. But could it be done? Did he possess the resolve and stamina necessary to achieve his one-pack goal? Or would he succumb to exhaustion or the forces of nature? The State of Determination chronicles Nicholson's careful planning and execution of the journey, as well as his unforgettable adventures on the trail.