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swjohnsey
10-29-2010, 07:15
I am considering joining the class of 2011, April 1 start. I would like to do some reading about thru hikes. Will y'all recommend a few books book that accurately portray the trail?

Went through my gear and found I had just about everything I need except some trekking poles. Decided to move my start up from 2012 to 2011.

CrumbSnatcher
10-29-2010, 09:59
AWOL on the Appalachin Trail
BEARFOOT a northbounder
Walkin on the happy side of misery
Iron toothpick
Skywalker
Walking with spring
There are mountains to climb
Walking north
The trail of my life
Appalachian hike- Adventure of a lifetime

emerald
10-29-2010, 10:10
http://www.booksforhikers.com/appalachian-trail/

gravityman
10-29-2010, 11:13
Start with Walkin on the happy side of misery if you ask me...

swjohnsey
10-29-2010, 12:44
That give me some ammuniton, on my way to Half Price Books then Barnes and Noble.

Kerosene
10-29-2010, 13:00
Walkin' on the Happy Side of Misery (http://www.amazon.com/Walkin-Happy-Side-Misery-Appalachian/dp/1401020410/ref=cm_cr-mr-title) by Model-T

Southbound (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Southbound-Lucy-Letcher/dp/0811735303/ref=cm_cr-mr-title) by The Barefoot Sisters
Walking Home (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Walking-Home-Letcher/dp/081173529X/ref=cm_cr-mr-title) by The Barefoot Sisters

I've read a whole bunch of others, but these are at the top of my must-read list.

Luddite
10-29-2010, 13:11
AWOL on the appalachian trail and A walk in the woods.


That give me some ammuniton, on my way to Half Price Books then Barnes and Noble.

Half price books is awesome.

BobTheBuilder
10-29-2010, 14:25
Walkin' on the Happy Side of Misery was the one that got me started on this whole thing. To find out that I was a day behind meeting Wahoola last week while I was on a section hike really made me sad.

Tennessee Viking
10-29-2010, 14:45
trail journals

Odd Man Out
10-29-2010, 15:12
I also enjoyed "There are Mountains to Climb". It seems to be more focused on the emotional aspects of the thru hike (rather than the technical aspects). Also, I would say that most people feel that "A Walk in the Woods" is more entertaining than accurate.

CrumbSnatcher
10-29-2010, 15:50
it is fun reading about the trail before and after a thruhike. different adventures for sure, from not knowing to reliving the moments! fun stuff
have a great hike :)

Kaptain Kangaroo
10-29-2010, 15:56
My favourites are

AWOL on the Appalachian Trail
The Wilderness of Awes

A Walk in the Woods is great for giving to friends or family to get some understanding of the trail. They would not read any of the other hiker accounts as they are way too boring for non-hikers.

Also,. Walkin' with the Ghost Whisperer is a great book too. It's not about hiking specifically, but it gives you a great understanding of the history of many of the places you will be hiking through. I wish I had read it before my hike !

Rick500
10-29-2010, 16:08
Reading A Walk in the Woods right now, and it's downright hilarious at times. I'm going to pass it around to my friends when I'm done.

tawa
10-29-2010, 18:57
Currently reading --Walking on the Happy Side of Misery by Model T. It's agood one.
A Season on the Appalachian Trail by Lynn Setzer is another good one.

DapperD
10-29-2010, 21:24
I am considering joining the class of 2011, April 1 start. I would like to do some reading about thru hikes. Will y'all recommend a few books book that accurately portray the trail?

Went through my gear and found I had just about everything I need except some trekking poles. Decided to move my start up from 2012 to 2011.I thought White Blaze Fever (https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=468&compid=1) was excellent. It is also interspersed with hiking tips throughout.

emerald
10-30-2010, 01:43
That give me some ammunition, on my way to Half Price Books then Barnes and Noble.

Your local library may be easier on your budget and you may be supporting it already, but, no doubt, its employees would appreciate your financial assistance too.

emerald
10-30-2010, 01:54
I don't expect to see the day when I will think anything surpasses it even though it may be somewhat dated. When people once asked me whether I intended to write a book, I told them everything that needs to be said had already been said before.

I've read some things since worth reading, but too many hikers today have no historical context. It's how to get some, but you will need to look for it.

See ATC's page entitled History (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4914753/k.C511/History.htm) for an introduction to how we got to where we find ourselves today.

DapperD
10-30-2010, 10:05
I thought White Blaze Fever (https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=468&compid=1) was excellent. It is also interspersed with hiking tips throughout.


I am considering joining the class of 2011, April 1 start. I would like to do some reading about thru hikes. Will y'all recommend a few books book that accurately portray the trail?

Went through my gear and found I had just about everything I need except some trekking poles. Decided to move my start up from 2012 to 2011.Looks like my previous link timed out, so here's a new one: White Blaze Fever (http://www.slideshare.net/AutoSurfRestarter/white-blaze-fever-by-bill-schuette)

swjohnsey
10-30-2010, 10:14
I struck out Half Price Books so it is off to mine the resources of Amazon and the local library.

Uncle Cranky
10-30-2010, 13:41
Two older titles from the '90s to check out:
As Far As The Eye Can See--David Brill: more than I did this many miles, slept here, what I ate.
Blind Courage-Bill Erwin:story of the first thru hike by a blind guy and his seeing eye dog.

Luddite
10-30-2010, 14:53
http://www.amazon.com/Just-Passin-Thru-Appalachian-Unforgettable/dp/0897328493/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288464603&sr=1-1