View Full Version : Best AT Thru Hike books???
Programbo
09-25-2005, 16:44
What does everyone think is a good first person account of hiking the AT?..I`m looking for something that reads along the lines of Ed Garveys or Eric Rybacks books, i.e. just a factual day by day account of their hikes..I`m not looking for anything too heavy on equipment,planning,advice..Also something that doesn`t get overly philosophical..Thanks
Jack Tarlin
09-25-2005, 18:12
I have long been of the opinion that the finest thru-hiking memoir remains the first one, Earl Shaffer's "Walking With Spring." You can order it at better bookstores or from the ATC (www.atconf.org)
Pacific Tortuga
09-25-2005, 18:14
It sounds like you would enjoy "J.R.Tate"
[email protected] book,
'Walkin on the Happy Side of Misery' You can buy it from Model T or the ATC. You might want to wear your hiking boots when you read it,Model T and his alter ego can get a little deep with a southern down home humor. I love his story tellin and real life character's of A.T. hikers. I have read it at least ten times, I know,get a life. ***** enjoy
jackiebolen
09-25-2005, 21:06
Why not go to trailjournals.com? It is THE site for factual, day by day accounts of hikes, plus it's free. Takes a little bit to find a good one but they are there.
dje97001
09-25-2005, 21:29
I second Model-Ts book. (of course I haven't thru-hiked yet) but it was a great read.
I also recommend Model T's book. I've read it twice now and expect I'll pick it up again. I had the pleasure of hiking an overnighter with him in Big South Fork in TN. He is as entertaining and gracious in person as well. He's in the process of writing a second book about the AT. He's calling it Lores, Legends, and Downright Lies. I'm looking forward to it.
digger51
09-25-2005, 22:31
I havent done any reading about the trail other than Brysons humor. However I have said before and will say again, after talking with him and reading his posts here, if Baltimore Jack would write a book about the trail and his experiences it would be on the top of my reading list.
Blue Jay
09-26-2005, 07:32
I also recommend Model T's book. I've read it twice now and expect I'll pick it up again. I had the pleasure of hiking an overnighter with him in Big South Fork in TN. He is as entertaining and gracious in person as well. He's in the process of writing a second book about the AT. He's calling it Lores, Legends, and Downright Lies. I'm looking forward to it.
I also want to be in on the Model T fan club. I'm very happy he's writing another book
The best description of what the trail is like (IMO), the challenges presented and how it can change you is online and is free! Written by George Steffanos about his '83 thruhike, it can be found at "Then the Hail Came (http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html)".
Lone Wolf
09-26-2005, 08:29
Mine ain't out yet.
The best description of what the trail is like (IMO), the challenges presented and how it can change you is online and is free! Written by George Steffanos about his '83 thruhike, it can be found at "Then the Hail Came (http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html)".
Yes, this is a good one too. This is the first book, trailjournal, anything, that I read about the AT and it hooked me in fast.
Of course, there is another really good trail journal out there called "All in one Roll." http://www.2000milehike.com/ It's just as entertaining and has some excellent photos as well. Wouldn't you agree Gonzo? ;)
Mine ain't out yet.
Well, 'git er done' L. Wolf, we're waiting........
Youngblood
09-26-2005, 09:23
Well, 'git er done' L. Wolf, we're waiting........
My sentiments exactly...
Of course, there is another really good trail journal out there called "All in one Roll." http://www.2000milehike.com/ It's just as entertaining and has some excellent photos as well. Wouldn't you agree Gonzo? ;) Come to think of it... you are right! Did not want to be labeled as a self promoter though. Thanks for the plug. I wish George would get his pictures available. I know he took a lot, but they are all slides and he is too busy and does not have a slide scanner to make the changeover to digital.
poison_ivy
09-26-2005, 11:16
In addition to Model T's book, I also really enjoyed Rubin's "On the Beaten Path."
- Ivy
rambunny
09-26-2005, 13:04
Of course all of the above,but also Hiking The Appalachian Trail Vol 1&2 James Hare,Walking the Dream-Wolfe,Onward To Katahdin-Creen,Blind Couage,Irwin-Appalachian Odyssey-Olden,A Journey of Discovery,Curran,Katahdin with love-Counielius,As Far as the eye can see-Brill,My Journey to Freedom and Ultralight Backpacking-Wellman,An Eye on the Horizon,Eye-that's probebly 1 tenth the books i own. I find reading about hikes that were differant from mine,i.e. faster,slower,in sections, flip flop, shelter rat,stealth camper, ect. i learn so much about my own, plus it's a way to escape babylon for a minute.Hope to have us and my library living on the trail soon-. :banana
nerdishgrrl
09-26-2005, 15:34
I have to agree, Then the Hail Came is excelllent. Having never thru-hiked, it made me feel almost like i was there with him. Here's a link to the online book. http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html
I also enjoyed A Journey North (I think) by Adrienne Hall. It was interesting, and she included a lot of information about the trail itself. it was also nice to read a woman's perspective on backpacking. Boys never mention how hard it is to pee in the woods, or how having long hair equals extra cruddiness after days hiking without a shower.
Programbo
09-26-2005, 18:38
Thanks for all the replies..I`ll look into some of those titles..I buy my books at a wholesale used book place and they have almost anything really cheap..I just read a book on the AT called "As far as the eye can see" by David Brill..Ugh..Just 185 pages of his observations on life,relationships and nature and a spattering of AT related stuff...I liked Garveys book because despite his self promoting and habit of going into town to eat every 2 pages it was a pretty complete day by day account and named off places he passed which allowed me to picture the hike in my mind better and thus hike it with him
Speaking of a woman's perspective, I published "Always Another Mountain" last spring. :sun
Blissful
09-26-2005, 22:29
I'm reading White Blaze Fever right now which is very good. I must admit, when I was thirteen and just starting to get the AT fever, I got Ed Garvey's orginal book and I must have read that thing fifty times. Still do... His suggestions for hiking equipment is ancient but fun!
I also like Blind Courage by Bill Irwin, about the blind hiker who thru hiked in the early 90's.
I haven't read many A.T. books, but can recommend Shaffer's Walking With Spring without reservation. A classic.
What does everyone think is a good first person account of hiking the AT?..I`m looking for something that reads along the lines of Ed Garveys or Eric Rybacks books, i.e. just a factual day by day account of their hikes..I`m not looking for anything too heavy on equipment,planning,advice..Also something that doesn`t get overly philosophical..Thanks
i, too, will echo the merit of J.R. "Model T" Tate's book:
"Walkin' on the Happy Side of Misery"
one of the best books about the trail, the fun, the misery (as the title suggests) & yes, "Model-T"'s next book is scheduled to be released soemtime in OCT 2005. It will be entitled: "Ghost Whisperers: Lore & Legends of the Appalachian Trail" :D
check it out on his website: www.ModelT.net (http://www.modelt.net)
i, too, will echo the merit of J.R. "Model T" Tate's book:
"Walkin' on the Happy Side of Misery"
one of the best books about the trail, the fun, the misery (as the title suggests) & yes, "Model-T"'s next book is scheduled to be released soemtime in OCT 2005. It will be entitled: "Ghost Whisperers: Lore & Legends of the Appalachian Trail" :D
check it out on his website: www.ModelT.net (http://www.modelt.net)
Ahhh, He's changed the name since I talked to him last. Cool. I like this one better.
I second Model-Ts book. (of course I haven't thru-hiked yet) but it was a great read.
i 3rd model t's book,its very entertaing for sure:cool: neo
UPDATE**UPDATE***UPDATE***
MODEL T BOOK UPDATE:
the book is slated to be released in OCT 2005:
"Walkin' with the Ghost Whisperers
Lore & Legends of the Appalachian Trail (http://www.modelt.net/GhostWhisperer.html)"
you can read the PROLOGUE (http://www.modelt.net/GhostWhisperer.html) from the upcoming book on his website!
www.ModelT.net (http://www.modelt.net)
Model T's NEW BOOK: (http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/8900/sort/1/cat/500/page/1)
"Walkin' with Ghost Whisperers...Lore & Legends of the Appalachian Trail" (www.modelt.net)
fancyfeet
10-04-2005, 18:48
I also enjoyed "On the Beaten Path". The author, "Rhymin' Worm" is a poet and humorist. This makes for very enjoyable reading. I've read it several times. :o
justusryans
10-04-2005, 19:07
"Walking Home" by Kelly Winters. Not your typical AT thruhiker book, more on line of a exestentialist journey in your own soul. very well written, I recommend it.
I concur that Model T's book is the best book I've read about the trail. I laughed out loud several times when I was reading it. It's a very good read. I haven't read it again but I might do that very soon. Another good one, in my opinion, is Walking North by Mic Lowther.
As a factual day-to-day account, I enjoyed reading Bill Schuette's "White Blaze Fever."
But, in my opinion, nothing can touch "Walking With Spring." Oddly enough, one of my favorite lines in the book isn't a quote from Earl Shaffer.
"Sun and wind and the sound of the rain
Hunger and thirst and strife
God, to be on the trail again
With a grip on the mane of life."