Stumbling Thru: Hike Your Own Hike

Stumbling Thru: Hike Your Own Hike
Author: Adam Digger Stolz
Publisher:
Total Pages: 278
Release: 2013-02-10
Genre: Appalachian Trail
ISBN: 9780615763583

Welcome to the world of the Appalachian Trail. Every year, thousands of pilgrims arrive at Georgia's Springer Mountain and set off with hopes of reaching Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Roughly ten percent ever complete the journey.It's more than likely that in the AT's long, storied history, Walter is the first person to thru-hike against his will. He is out-of-shape, out-of-sorts and, now that his wife has decided enough is enough, he's out of the house too. It's that classic scenario: Hike or ELSE! Since the poor, morose Walter can't figure an 'ELSE' he sets off on the longest walk of his life.While braving the great Eastern woods, Walter meets an eclectic cast of hopeful thru-hikers. As they journey northward, this rollicking band suffers through every hardship that America's premiere hiking trail can throw at them. It isn't long before Walter is looking at life through new eyes and just maybe for the first time in forever, starting to feel better about the world and his place in it.But no way is that alone going to be enough to get him to Maine.

So, You Want to Hike the Appalachian Trail... Now What?

So, You Want to Hike the Appalachian Trail... Now What?
Author: Matthew Owen
Publisher:
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2017-02-04
Genre:
ISBN: 9781542535595

This illustrated book is an account of my Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and it was written to help answer questions for those who wish to take on an A.T. thru-hike. As I was preparing for my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, I was very fortunate to have a dad who had over thirty years of hiking experience and an uncle who also had thirty years of hiking experience. I had two great resources for hiking and backpacking within my family. Yet, I realized that not everybody has that at their disposal when they are preparing for their thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I began searching for books specifically about how to prepare for an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. They all pretty much said the same thing, which wasn't much. They would say to sit down, plan out your entire hike beforehand, and then toss that plan out the window; because you never know what's going to happen on the Trail. All the books I found were more about the author's experience on the Trail than about the actual preparation for the hike. During my hike, I observed various ways that hikers had prepared, the different ways they chose to camp, and all the different ways hikers chose to go about their thru-hike. It fascinated me as I saw how everyone had their own way to hike the Trail. As thru-hikers often say: Hike your own hike. After about 1,000 miles into my thru-hike, I began to ponder a series of thoughts while sitting in camp around the fire. I would envision this inexperienced hiker walking up looking for a place to set up camp, probably on his first backpacking trip. If this supposed hiker sat down by the fire and asked me a question; for example about how to waterproof boots, the best way to purify drinking water, or the best way to set up camp in the rain...what would I tell this hiker? The more I thought about it, the more I began to think about the answers I had found from my own questions. Eventually that one thought of, "...what would I tell an inexperienced hiker?," led to this book. By the time I completed the Appalachian Trail, this book was already written inside my head. And now, I am proud to say this book is written down on paper. If you truly have questions about preparing for an extended hike like the Appalachian Trail, I hope you find the answers to your questions within this book.

I Promise Not To Suffer

I Promise Not To Suffer
Author: Gail Storey
Publisher: Mountaineers Books
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2013-03-14
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1594857466

"Witty, wise, and full of heart, Gail Storey’s winning memoir of her hike on the Pacific Crest Trail at the age of fifty-six is a book for every one who ever dreamed of taking the road less traveled. I Promise Not to Suffer is as inspiring as it is hilarious, as poignant as it is smart. It’s one of those oh-please-don’t-let-it-end books. I’d carry it in my backpack anywhere.”—Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild CLICK HERE to download the first 50 pages from I Promise Not To Suffer (Provide us with a little information and we'll send your download directly to your inbox) With comfortable urban lives in Houston, Texas, and career and life goals mostly accomplished, Gail D. Storey and her husband were in their fifties when they decided it was time to test themselves on a new path—a 2,663-mile path known as the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Canada. I Promise Not to Suffer is Gail's light-hearted yet heart-felt memoir about her and her husband's adventures and misadventures, deepening marriage, and reflections on being irrevocably changed by life on the trail. She was a novice hiker, while he was an experienced outdoorsman. Removed from their usual routines and living outside in the wilderness for months exposed hidden intricacies in their relationship. Hiking 20 miles a day over mountains, thirsting in the high desert of California, forcing frozen feet into icy socks and boots each morning in the High Sierra, stumbling through lava fields in Oregon—Gail was required to meet the elements on their own tough-love terms. From an encounter with a mountain lion to her mother's battle with cancer at home, she confronts each challenge with wit and brave style. While a dangerous loss of weight forces Gail to leave the PCT after 900 miles, she regains strength and later rejoins her husband on sections until he triumphantly reaches the northern terminus in Canada. Humorous yet honest, this journey of harrowing hilarity and reluctant revelations will be loved by active hikers (appendices include details of their unique ultralight gear and other essential how-to information), fans of female adventure stories, and armchair travelers alike. Want to know more about author Gail Storey? Head to her website today. Praise for I Promise Not To Suffer: “At times wrenching memoir, at times hilarious, I Promise Not to Suffer pulls no punches and has a wicked sense of fun. Storey reminds me again of what is possible with a big imagination, a dose of scrappy courage, and a lot of love.” --Peter Heller, author of The Dog Stars and Kook “Some have called Gail Storey the Nora Ephron of the wilderness. With her own unique wit, Storey shares Ephron’s commitment to creating and tending a long, nourishing marriage. I Promise Not to Suffer is a portrait of a union that does not fray or break under pressure but is forged, toughened, and tenderized.” --Sara Davidson, author of Leap!, Loose Change, and The December Project “Of the many books that I have read about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, none have captured the trail experience from so many different perspectives.Single hikers, couples, and those who stay behind will all enjoy Gail Storey’s account of the challenges, the beauty, and the PCT community found along the way.” --Liz Bergeron, Executive Director and CEO, Pacific Crest Trail Association Winner of the Nautilus Awards 2014 "Better Books for a Better World" Silver Award! Winner of the Colorado Books Awards 2014 in the Memoir category!

Appalachian Trials

Appalachian Trials
Author: Zach Davis
Publisher:
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2012-02-08
Genre: Appalachian Trail
ISBN: 9780985090104

"I really loved it...Appalachian Trials is full of specific tactical tips for mental preparation, which is key well beyond the AT." - Tim Ferriss, author of New York Times Best Selling The 4-Hour Workweek and The 4-Hour Body Each year, it is estimated that more than 2,000 people set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, yet seven in ten ultimately fall short of their goal. Given the countless number of how-to books and websites offering information about logistics, gear, and endurance training, one would think that more people would finish this 2,200 mile trek. Why then, do so many hikers quit prematurely? After successfully thru-hiking the AT in five months with zero prior backpacking experience, author, Zach Davis, is convinced he's discovered the answer. Aspiring thru-hikers, Davis tells readers, are preparing the wrong way- sweating on the StairMaster, meticulously plotting each re-supply box, or obsessing over the a synthetic or down sleeping bag or perfect pair of socks. While the AT undoubtedly presents extraordinary physical challenges, it is the psychological and emotional struggles that drive people off the trail. Conquering these mental obstacles is the key to success. This groundbreaking book focuses on the most important and overlooked piece of equipment of all- the gear between one's ears. Filled with first-hand, touching yet humorous vignettes and down-to-earth advice that both instructs and inspires, Appalachian Trials gives readers the mental road map they'll need to hike from Springer Mountain to Mt.Katahdin. In Appalachian Trials readers will learn: Goal setting techniques that will assure hikers reach Mt. Katahdin The common early stage pitfalls and how to avoid them How to beat "the Virginia Blues" The importance of and meaning behind "hiking your own hike" 5 strategies for unwavering mental endurance The most common mistake made in the final stretch of the trail Tips for enjoying rather than enduring each of the five million steps along the journey Strategies for avoiding post-trail depression and weight gain In addition, the Bonus Section of Appalachian Trials includes: A thorough chapter on gear written by thru-hiker of the AT and Pacific Crest Trail, and professional backpack gear reviewer Information about the trail's greatest and most unknown risk and how to guard against it 9 tips for saving money before and during your thru-hike A thorough FAQ section including information ranging from how to obtain sponsorship, to the best stove for the trail, to avoiding chafing, and much more

Hellz Yeah It's Possible!

Hellz Yeah It's Possible!
Author: Kevin 'Possible' Kiernan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2017-11-17
Genre:
ISBN: 9781973313717

Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail is an epic adventure, and yet one that is still within the reach of most people. It is a long journey, an escape, and a time of self-discovery. The author completed his own thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2015. 'Hellz Yeah It's Possible' ('Possible' is the author's trail Name) is designed as a two part guide and aid to prospective thru-hikers, although those readers who are just looking for an adventure tale should not be disappointed. The first section is an account of the author's journey, the second section is is a compilation of information useful to a prospective thru-hiker. It is entitled "If You Go". The journal is broken down day by day, tracking distances and landmarks along the way. It incorporates the physical, social, and mental aspects of the author's thru-hike. The physical aspect off the trail is real. It is an insane endurance event for a person's body. It can actually be started by someone with only moderate conditioning, because the Appalachian Trail itself is its own training ground. The hiker learns to listen to their body, learn how much they can do, what to eat, and how to take care of themselves. This is part of the journal; as the days pass the author learns what makes his body work, and what makes it falter. Aspects of diet and physical care are critical parts of his wellbeing as he copes with the environmental rigors of living outdoors on the move for an extended period of time. The Appalachian Trail is not just a path through the woods and an escape into nature. As with all human constructs, it is a social community, a gathering of people. That it is a moving stream of people makes it no less a social adventure. There is conflict and resolution, friendships are made and broken, and people become more of what they are under the physical and emotional stresses of the journey. Hiking the trail is an intense period in a person's life, and it fuels social impact and personal growth in a direct way at a greater rate than at other periods of a persons life. The narrative discusses the author's own personal interactions and his reactions to the trail community at large. The Appalachian trail is also a landmark, its history is woven into the land it travels through, and with each year's class of hikers the history grows just a little more. Significant trail events and location lore are woven onto the narrative. It is told from the hiker's perspective, from one with a historical bent who marvels at the point in time that is his journey. In "If You Go" The author creates lists of gear and food choices, and imparts his own lessons from hiking the trail that will be of interest to anyone considering a long distance hike. The author discusses his choices knowing that his way is just one way, and develops some ideas he didn't use but were used by other successful thru-hikers. Most of the knowledge here is already discussed in the journal narrative, but it is condensed so it is a useful reference for those planning their own adventures.The author encourages everyone to find their own space and way to adventure. We are not meant to live our entire lives working in cubicles and retiring to a couch in front of a television. There is a real world out there waiting for you to find it. Hellz Yeah Its Possible!

My Heart's Wishes

My Heart's Wishes
Author: Jill Altman
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Total Pages: 115
Release: 2011-11
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 1463404417

At the age of 41 after a lifetime spent attempting to please others, Jill Altman embarked on a journey to honor her own feelings and desires by hiking the entire 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail in one year (called thru-hiking). The story of her adventure not only illustrates her roller coaster ride through love, fear, and everything in between, but also chronicles the daily trials and tribulations in the life of a thru-hiker. Ultimately she uncovered how her commitment to her goal of reaching and summiting the final mountain, Mount Katahdin in Maine, actually stood between her and her real purpose in hiking the trail.

A Thru-Hiking Trilogy

A Thru-Hiking Trilogy
Author: Keith Foskett
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016-10-21
Genre: Appalachian Trail
ISBN: 9781539004462

The first three Amazon Best-Sellers from Keith Foskett in one book - Over 800 pages of adventure. The Journey in Between El Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way, is the fabled path that weaves through French and Spanish countryside for 1,000 miles to its hallowed destination at Santiago de Compostella. Thousands attempt to walk its entirety each year: some succeed, many fail. Keith Foskett thru-hiked the Camino to indulge his love for the outdoors and hiking but also, unintentionally, filled a void in his life which took him in a completely different direction. Along the way he made friends with fellow pilgrims from all over the world, all travelling for their own different reasons. He was assailed by new experiences and unexpected discoveries - from the pain of blisters and extremes of temperature to encountering kleptomaniacs, fake faith healers and being threatened with arrest in Spain for 'not sleeping'. This is the story of one man's walk, but it speaks to all who see life itself as a journey and are alive to the revelations that an escape to nature can bring. Written with insight, observation and a healthy dose of humour. As this book shows, it is rarely the start and the finish that count, but the journey in between. The Last Englishman The Pacific Crest Trail stretches some 2,650 miles from the Mexican border to Canada. It meanders through the scorching deserts of California, the dramatic Sierra Nevada, the volcanic landscape of Oregon and the vast forests of Washington. Every year around 300 hikers attempt to walk its entirety. Four in ten give up in the first month alone and only two in ten will reach Canada. Extremes of heat and cold, the toughness and roughness of the trail and encounters with an assortment of potentially deadly creatures stretch walkers to their absolute limits. It's a lesson Keith Foskett soon learns the hard way, having to deal with blisters and other physical ailments, as well as his inherent phobia of snakes, spiders, bears, getting dirty and camping in the woods after dark. With the harsh winter looming, he enters into a desperate race against time, facing a dangerous, physical and very real threat to become the last Englishman to complete the greatest long distance walking trail on Earth. Balancing on Blue Every year several thousand people attempt to hike all 2180 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the eastern United States. Being the first of the big three hikes in America, it is where long-distance hikers go to cut their teeth. Keith Foskett has another reason. Dromomania, or the uncontrollable urge to wander, has been part of his life since childhood. Hiking is his chosen method to placate the wanderlust. Accompanied by an array of eclectic characters including a world champion juggler, a drug dealer, an Everton fan whose visa is expiring and a sex-starved builder from Minnesota, his experience is far from normal. Battling a fear of snakes, bears, being in the woods after dark and his own demons, it's physically exhausting -- as well as psychologically challenging. His adventure weaves a route through some of America's wildest landscapes and history, and is told with insight, humour and reflection. 'Essential reading for those contemplating their own big adventure.' - David Lintern - Outdoor Enthusiast Magazine. 'I'm not sure if Keith Foskett knows it but he has penned a hiking classic. I just wanted to pack up my bags and head off into the wilderness.' - Spencer Vignes (The Observer).

Becoming Odyssa: 10th Anniversary Edition

Becoming Odyssa: 10th Anniversary Edition
Author: Jennifer Pharr Davis
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2020-03-16
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0825308208

After graduating from college, Jennifer isn't sure what she wants to do with her life. Through inexperienced and unprepared, she feels drawn to the Appalachian Trail and sets out along on the long-distance footpath that stretches 2, 175 miles from Georgia to Maine. The next five months are the most physically and emotionally challenging of her life—coping with blisters and aching shoulders, hiking through endless torrents of rain and a blizzard, facing unwanted company and encountering tragedy. The trail becomes a modern day Odyssey that tests Jennifer's faith in God, humanity and herself. But even at her lowest points, it provides enduring friendships, unexpected laughter, and the gift of self-discovery. With every step she takes, Jennifer transitions from an over-confident college graduate to a student of the trail. As she travels along the ridges of the ancient mountain chain, she realizes that she isn't walking through nature—she realizes she is part of nature. And she learns that the Appalachian Trails is more than a 2,175 mile hike: it is a journey that will change a person forever.

Hiking Through

Hiking Through
Author: Paul Stutzman
Publisher: Baker Books
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2012-03-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1441238115

After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart--the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. Paul left his stable career, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail. What he learned during the next four and a half months changed his life--and will change readers' lives as well. In Hiking Through, readers will join Paul on his remarkable 2,176-mile hike through fourteen states in search of peace and a renewed sense of purpose, meeting fascinating and funny people along the way. They'll discover that every choice we make along the path has consequences for the journey and will come away with a new understanding of God's grace and guidance. Nature-lovers, armchair adventurers, and those grieving a loss may not be able to hike the AT themselves, but they can go on this spiritual pilgrimage with a truly humble and sympathetic guide.