1975 Was A Good Year

[Tipi Walter]

THE BEST COMES IN TWO VOLUMES

I was in Madisonville, TN today by the courthouse paying for car tags when I had a few minutes to kill so I saw a used book store across the street and thought what the heck, they might have something about mountain climbing or outdoor epics, etc.

I asked the clerk if she had anything about hiking or backpacking and she said there's a whole section on caving--spelunking--and I passed thru. Later I asked her where the Tennessee section is and she pointed to a bookcase nearby. Here's what jumped out:

[Mother's Finest]

Cool Tipi Walter

thanks for sharing.

peace
mf

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

::: Puddle of drool seen forming below green-with-envy Dino :::

[Cookerhiker]

I've got these 2 volumes prominently displayed on my bookshelf and still peruse them. Most recently, I read Dorothy Laker's narratives after she passed away.

[Tipi Walter]

I can't believe they're in their original jackets and white cloth hardcover. I immediately mentioned to the clerk that "these babies are pretty valuable!!" and then thought twice and said, "Well, they're really just worth about 10 cents each." Didn't want her to think too much about it. Anyway, I gladly payed the $44 listed and though a bit high, I've been looking for these things for years and we finally hooked up.

[Hoop]

Good catch

[Mags]

I have the two books in my collection at home as well. I feel lucky to own them.

[rafe]

I read both of those volumes cover to cover (well, almost) before my 1990 hike. That was pre-Intertubes, so we had to make do with outdated books for trail info. Back then it even meant multiple trips to the library over a half-year period. I finally acquired my personal copy of the book(s) back in 1998 or so -- one of my first eBay purchases. This after several failed attempts by other means...

The gear may have changed, but many of the observations and ruminations are timeless. Just like old Colin Fletcher stuff.

[Cuffs]

OH! Theres a used book store only a mile from me. You know where I'll be tomorrow!

[River Runner]

Great find!

[Kerosene]

Here are vendors selling these volumes off of Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%22hiking+the+appalachian+trail%22+hare).