"I would attempt to hike the 2,189-mile-long Appalachian Trail faster than anyone else had. I would do it alone and not to prove anything to anyone this time except myself. ... There was something I needed to learn out there on the rocky, rooty, trail."
This was the perfect book for my first nonfiction read of 2024. I've always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail--not to try and set any kind or record, but just to see if I could do it. That kind of wilderness adventure has always appealed to me. Though it's something I probably should have attempted in my 20s. (I doubt my knees could take it now.) But I still love reading books about people who do achieve their AT dream. And this well-written memoir gives you a real taste of hiking the AT, as well as some great words of wisdom. (Anderson has also hiked the Pacific Coast Trail with the fastest known time and written a book about that adventure, too.) Here are some of my favorite quotes from this excellent memoir:
"I had to always remind myself that everything that happened along the way was out of my control, that I could only change my reactions, and dedicate myself to putting one foot in front of the other, even when I wanted to stop."
"Pain and hardship are integral to any thru-hike, as they are to life in general. It is suffering that is a mindset. ...I decided in that moment--even if it was going to take a thousand conscious choices every day--that I would choose not to suffer. There would be no drudgery on my hike. I would move forward with passion for adventure. Just as I always had."
"I smiled at the changes in myself. I'd learned courage. And from that courage had come confidence. And from that confidence had grown acceptance of all circumstances."
Happy Reading!
A few of my other favorite Appalachian Trail reads:
A Woman's Journey on the Appalachian Trail by Cindy Ross
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis
A Journey North by Adrienne Hall
And if you know of any other books about hiking the Appalachian Trail that you think I'd like, please let me know! 😎
Oh, this sounds like a book I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI really liked it, but then any book that's about hiking the AT is one I'm going to love. :D
DeleteI think this is yet another rec from you that I need to look up.... 😀 Sadly, the only other Appalachian trail book I've come across is Bill Bryson's. I have been to see them though!
ReplyDeleteLucky! I haven't even done that; they're a long drive from Utah. But hopefully someday I'll get out that way.
DeleteI might need to pick this one up! I love nature adventures myself, so this is a perfect nonfiction for me, too.
ReplyDeleteNature adventures are so fun to read! I love them, and survival books, too. :D
DeleteI used to dream of walking the AT but that, like many dreams, never came true. I truly admire those who do. I read and enjoyed Bill Bryson's book about his walk many years ago. I think you might enjoy it, too.
ReplyDeleteI have read Bill Bryson's book. It's hilarious, and one of my favs. My new goal in regards to the AT is to at least hike little bits of it, just to say I did. :D
DeleteGreat review, Lark! I think it would be great to hike any famous trail!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! The John Muir trail is only 211 miles and it's closer, maybe I could still do that one. 🤔
DeleteExcellent! I love how she gained that confidence, it has to be life changing.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see her let go of some of her past insecurities and come out a stronger person. Plus she set a record. That was cool, too.
DeleteI have a healthy respect for hikers.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I wish I had the stamina and determination and perseverance to be a long trail hiker.
DeleteThat hike was on my bucket list for a while...but that was several decades back. I wouldn't last five miles today, I'm afraid. Sounds like a good way to hike the trail from my easy chair. :-)
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd had the guts to do this hike years ago on my own. I just think it'd be so cool to have hiked from Georgia to Maine. Talk about bragging rights!
DeleteThanks Lark for these book recommendations because I love these travel books whether one sets out hiking, in a van etc. Have you read the book Grandma Gatewood's Walk I think it's called by Ben Montgomery. She hiked the Appalachian trail for the first time in her 60's and made the news. I haven't read the book but it sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a book I need to read! :D
DeleteI didn't realize the trail was so long, Georgia to Maine! This sounds very good.
ReplyDeleteIt's over 2,000 miles long! But it would be so cool to have actually hiked that far. Reading about it is second best. :D
DeleteThis reminds me of the pilgrimage trail in Spain, called El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James. Countless pilgrims from all over Europe and the world set out from Portugal or France and walk, arrive in Santiago de Compostela, a city of nearly 100,000 residents in northwest Spain, 22 miles east of the Atlantic Ocean. (website)
ReplyDeleteIt takes about 30 days if you take the long trail. Our church pastor just came back in December from walking from Portugal to Spain, a shorter trail than the one from France. 30 years ago, I would have tried it.
What a cool pilgrimage trail!
DeleteI doubt my knees could take a hike like that now a days either. lol My late husband hiked 4 miles of that trail back before he met me. He said he met a few nice people who were trying to hike the entire thing. So many people go missing hiking there though, it would be scary.
ReplyDeleteIt would be scary to do on your own, that's for sure. But fun to do with a group of friends.
DeleteThis sounds good! Those quotes are so inspiring! :D
ReplyDeleteAren't they? Her insights into life and hiking really impressed me.
DeleteI think if I hiked the Appalachian trail I'd try to do slower than anyone else ever had. And I might very well succeed!
ReplyDeleteThe little bit I hiked, though, was pretty spectacular, and I'd like to do some more little bits maybe...
Hike it the slowest! I might be able to do that. ;D I'd probably do best slack-packing it because I don't love sleeping on the ground and I do love indoor plumbing.
DeleteWow, I always find those who hike trails like this very impressive. I'm sure it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You never know, it might not be too late for you! Maybe if you just did a piece of it! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to even just do a piece of it!
DeleteLove you friend. Can I send you a card? Regine
ReplyDeleteI would love that. Did you give me your email address once before?
DeleteI love A Walk in the Woods! I definitely would not do well on the Appalachian Trail but I do like reading about it.
ReplyDeleteA Walk in the Woods is so funny! I love that one, too. :D
DeleteIt seems like quite an inspirational book. Glad you're off to a great start with your 2024 non-fiction reads :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a great one for me. :D
DeleteI don't think I could do a trail walk like that (I'm more into just day hikes!) but I do admire folks who do! This sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteI love day hikes and I don't love camping, but there's a part of me that really wants to try a long hike like this at least once in my life.
DeleteI know I wouldn't be able to do hiking (not with my weak knees), especially those trails with steep slopes or stairs, yikes! So I guess I'll experience what other hikers do by reading their experiences in books or shows. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that we can experience things through books that we'd never be able to experience in real life. :D
DeleteI am glad you enjoyed Mud Rocks Blazes. It sounds like such an inspirational book.
ReplyDeleteI just really love reading about people who manage to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. :D
DeleteWow it sounds like she is really race hiking ... doing it that fast. I've been intrigued by the AT too and have walked bits of it in N.H. and in Virginia. But no where near what these folks do! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you've walked parts of the AT! I'd love to do even that much some day. :D
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