Uriah
04-12-2016, 13:54
I'm an insatiable reader and always go backpacking with some form of reading material, usually a cheap paperback sliced into thirds (the rest mailed ahead, of course!), and usually one about outdoor adventure or travel. Like Tipi Walter mentioned in a previous similar thread, I also frequently print off some trail journals, since I prefer the "raw" versions.
I look for nothing more than pure entertainment value, but it's nice when paragraphs and good grammar and spelling make it easier on my aging brain. (God, how I'm saddened by the US school system!) It is equally sad when a good trail-journalist loses interest in writing, but it's totally understandable since thru-hikes are challenging enough. How some of them write so much and so well is beyond me. As MuddyWaters has written here in the past, I'd never berate someone's trail journal. "Not all are intended for me to read," he wrote. "But when I've purchased a hiker's book, even at a small price, I see no issue in doing so..." So true!
Here are the top-five best-ever AT journals! (so far!) (Your mileage may vary, as always. Be forewarned, most these are super long and gravitate more towards book-like than journal-like! I probably should've posted this in the 'books/media' sub-forum!)
1) A Limp in the Woods (http://www.alimpinthewoods.blogspot.com/) (2013) A self-proclaimed "dumb ex athlete," Funnybone! can thread a yarn.
2) Then the Hail Came (http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html) (1983) George's great journal has stood the time of time, and will continue to do so. If only there were more pictures!
3) Clever Girl (http://trailkit.blogspot.com/) (2013) None of the usual " Wow, I'm a woman and can't believe I can do this." Clever Girl is an absolute hoot, as well as thought provoking.
4) Break a Leg (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=2627) (2005) Unfortunately, Break a Leg didn't complete her journey, and her journal ends abruptly about midway up the trail, but boy, up to that point it's a fun read. You can't help but wonder how her life is going all these years later.
5) *I have no concrete fifth nominee yet, but honorable mentions go to Five-Leafed Clover (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=120611) (SOBO 2006..."I'm worn out. I'd better start hiking again so I can get some rest."), Big Red (2002) (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=598), Gonzo (1983) (http://www.2000milehike.com/) and Liteshoe (2003) (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=1076). There are others to find and read, I'm sure..Help!
I won't even get started on the PCT or CDT journals, let alone all the other trails. Too many journals, too little time....
I look for nothing more than pure entertainment value, but it's nice when paragraphs and good grammar and spelling make it easier on my aging brain. (God, how I'm saddened by the US school system!) It is equally sad when a good trail-journalist loses interest in writing, but it's totally understandable since thru-hikes are challenging enough. How some of them write so much and so well is beyond me. As MuddyWaters has written here in the past, I'd never berate someone's trail journal. "Not all are intended for me to read," he wrote. "But when I've purchased a hiker's book, even at a small price, I see no issue in doing so..." So true!
Here are the top-five best-ever AT journals! (so far!) (Your mileage may vary, as always. Be forewarned, most these are super long and gravitate more towards book-like than journal-like! I probably should've posted this in the 'books/media' sub-forum!)
1) A Limp in the Woods (http://www.alimpinthewoods.blogspot.com/) (2013) A self-proclaimed "dumb ex athlete," Funnybone! can thread a yarn.
2) Then the Hail Came (http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html) (1983) George's great journal has stood the time of time, and will continue to do so. If only there were more pictures!
3) Clever Girl (http://trailkit.blogspot.com/) (2013) None of the usual " Wow, I'm a woman and can't believe I can do this." Clever Girl is an absolute hoot, as well as thought provoking.
4) Break a Leg (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=2627) (2005) Unfortunately, Break a Leg didn't complete her journey, and her journal ends abruptly about midway up the trail, but boy, up to that point it's a fun read. You can't help but wonder how her life is going all these years later.
5) *I have no concrete fifth nominee yet, but honorable mentions go to Five-Leafed Clover (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=120611) (SOBO 2006..."I'm worn out. I'd better start hiking again so I can get some rest."), Big Red (2002) (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=598), Gonzo (1983) (http://www.2000milehike.com/) and Liteshoe (2003) (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=1076). There are others to find and read, I'm sure..Help!
I won't even get started on the PCT or CDT journals, let alone all the other trails. Too many journals, too little time....