View Full Version : Becoming Odyssa
I finished this book last night by Jennifer Phar Davis .... for some strange reason, it was one of those books like "Animal Farm" that I had a hard time putting down once I started it.... read the entire book in 4 nights.
It was a very interesting and inspiring story. I respect her athletic ability, perseverance and grit in finishing her first AT thru hike, then later going back to the trail to set those trail speed records. As a frequent AT section hiker, I was a little offended by some of her story, she pretty much trashes AT section hikers early in the book, but I attribute some of that to her youthful exuberance on her first AT thru hike, and the by her accounts she had some run-ins with some real jerks on the trail. The section hikers she mentioned in particular as being a pain would have turned me off also.
but I enjoyed her descriptions of the different sections of the AT, the terrain and trail towns, fellow hikers, the physical and mental challenges she dealt with as a thru hiker, spoken from a young female hiker point of view. I did like the way the chapters in her book subdivided the AT into different sections in her hike.... it was different than AWOLs book, which was also a great book. She had to deal with some stuff that male hikers don't have to endure. I'll bet she is a good motivational speaker.
Teacher & Snacktime
10-13-2013, 19:38
I had a very similar reaction to the book. I enjoyed it, but couldn't help being offended by the entitled thruhiker attitude toward sectioners. We actually have as much right to the trail as anyone, and as much right to the shelters. "Section" is not synonymous with "selfish butthead", and "thruhiker" is not synonymous with "AT Royalty".
But as you say, she was young....and yes, I enjoyed the book.
Lone Wolf
10-13-2013, 20:04
even though i've through hiked a few times, i don't consider myself part of that "community". i don't associate with most of them when they walk through town. i love section hikers. more laid back
she made some statements in the book that thru-hikers should be able to "pull rank" on section hikers at AT shelters, as if section hikers should immediately vacate the shelter if a thru hiker arrives. I guess that's what is taught at the AT thru hiker school she attended.
Teacher & Snacktime
10-13-2013, 21:16
even though i've through hiked a few times, i don't consider myself part of that "community". i don't associate with most of them when they walk through town. i love section hikers. more laid back
Perhaps because we don't take ourselves quite as seriously? No schedule, no deadline, just an appreciation of the trail and the hike du jour. :)
Loved the book by a special than very young woman. I do not even consider speed travel on the trail hiking. No way can that type of endurance test be fun, yet a challenge I just am not into. Not even going to get into the thru vs section thing. Way too old for that. Plus in any large group we find different types and also as mentioned when we age we change the way we think and feel. Thank Goodness.
Emerson Bigills
10-13-2013, 21:44
I heard her speak a couple years ago in Charlotte before her record setting hike. She seemed very down to earth and came across as the "girl next door". I think she must be one heck of an athlete and very mentally tough.
CrumbSnatcher
10-13-2013, 22:46
i was 32 years old during my first thruhike i enjoyed the company of fellow thru hikers (most of them)always some around thinking they were gods gift to hiking & or making a bad name for all of us. i tried to always do the right thing by helping others when i could,holding a door open & i tipped my servers well :-)
i gave respect to get it, but i never thought i was better than anyone else, i really enjoyed the company of section & day hikers& townies and my hiking partner never seemed to have a problem with anybody whether they were thru,section, or day hikers, at least she never said anything. pretty sad to look down on section & day hikers, some of the best people i ever met. my 2cents
capehiker
10-13-2013, 23:15
I wonder if anyone ever called her out on the pulling rank on section hikers philosophy and what her reply was. I admit when I read that and knowing she was a speaker, I thought it kind of odd. Still, she's entitled to her beliefs and whether she still believes it now, she was writing about her experiences at that time.
She did her first thru right out of college in 2005, which the book was written about. I would like to think she has evolved some since then.
I know I did in the 8 years after I completed my undergraduate degree.
I met a 72 yr old section hiker in Glasgow, VA this spring. He had already done 2 "thru hikes" of the AT in his younger days. When I met him he was in the midst of doing a Damascus to Deleware Water Gap section hike this year. Enjoyed talking to him for a few minutes. He did not look 72, looked more like in his 50s. We discussed the merits and challenges of "thru hiking" vs. "section hiking" the AT, and the types of young people we meet on the trail. Like myself, he enjoys meeting the younger hikers and seeing their enthusiasm, humor and energy. It is contagious for guys our age. He was from somewhere in PA. We both shared the feeling that section hiking the AT presents different challenges than thru-hiking the AT, for the obvious reasons of logistics, transportation to/from the trail. And of course as any section hiker who hikes just a few days or a few weeks, as soon as you get the trail legs or stamina, it is time to go home. Then you go home and can lose it when u get off the trail for long. And upon returning to the trail, you are starting over again with the endurance challenge of the hills. When I get asked "are you a thru hiker?", I usually say "I'll let you know when I'm through". It doesn't matter much to me if a hiker is a thru or section hiker, we meet all kinds of personalities on the trail.
marshbirder
10-14-2013, 10:44
I respect her athleticism, but I did not like the book and don't put her on the pedestal that others seem to.
Just Bill
10-14-2013, 11:46
Florida Mike- You can find a few of her public presentations on you tube fairly easily. Worth a watch.
Definitely a few faults, especially regarding her youth and perspective- but I think the rawness and honesty is a good reflection on young hikers in general. While not an old fart by any means, I can look back on some of my hikes and notes from my first long distance hikes in my twenties and see I was even less diplomatic than I am now to put it nicely.
It also took me a long time to realize that while a Thru-hike is an amazing thing, a much more inspirational and inspiring thing is a section hike. A thru-hike is special, it takes luck and dedication, it has that nice shiny to it that makes it seem more special than other hikes. At 21 I couldn't fathom someone taking longer than I was alive at the time to hike the AT. Now as a Husband and Dad I can appreciate the love and commitment to the trail, the difficulty and the sacrifice to come back year after year. A section hiker is the real hero in my opinion.
Hell Mike- Your Long Trail Thru and the struggle to make it happen is pretty inspirational too.
More importantly than the speed, I think she has done a tremendous amount for the outdoors in getting more folks out and inspired. While folks my age had Bryson's book; this current generation has Skurka and JPD to look up to and inspire them. Even my staunchly conservative grandpa found her entertaining and inspiring when she was on Fox news. She's a sweet person who's hard to dislike.
Overall a great ambassador for the trail, and not just for women. But I can certainly say that I have seen more and more Girl Scout troops and other ladies out and about- and they know exactly who Jen is. That's good for all of us.
annamagpie
10-14-2013, 13:30
I read her book and thought it was great. In reference to her trashing section-hikers, does no one remember when she turns around and says what butt-heads thru-hikers are? Well she did. I got to see her recently in my Podunk town out west when she gave a talk. She struck me as a very kind woman, with a wonderful family , and very encouraging to me who is in the class of 2014!!!! yeeehaw!!!!!!!! Anyway--I liked the book and the person too. cheers, all!
She is speaking at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville during a weekend event coming up in Nov (i think)
QHShowoman
10-14-2013, 13:50
I liked the book, in general. I thought it was a good memoir of her hike and it was an interesting and fast-paced read.
I didn't really think much about her thru-hiker superiority complex because it is her memoir, after all, and she's capturing her thoughts and opinions in the context of her hike. I'd imagine if I showed up at a hut in the Whites, starving because I'd been hiking for 5 months, I'd resent the section hikers that ate up all the food before I got my share, too. Of if I showed up to a shelter, cold and soaked to the bone after hiking for miles, I'd be perturbed at the couple of clean, dry section hikers that had overtaken an entire shelter.
Honestly, personality-wise, she seemed kind of boring and goody-goody in "Becoming Odyssa," so I wouldn't be surprised if her editors made her spice things up with a couple of "mean thoughts" here and there.
Lone Wolf
10-14-2013, 14:36
I'd imagine if I showed up at a hut in the Whites, starving because I'd been hiking for 5 months, I'd resent the section hikers that ate up all the food before I got my share, too. Of if I showed up to a shelter, cold and soaked to the bone after hiking for miles, I'd be perturbed at the couple of clean, dry section hikers that had overtaken an entire shelter.
if you paid to be in a hut for the night you would get your fair share of food. thru-hiker or not. and shelters are first come, first served for everyone
ChinMusic
10-14-2013, 14:44
Perhaps because we don't take ourselves quite as seriously? No schedule, no deadline, just an appreciation of the trail and the hike du jour. :)
HUH? I've been both a section and a thru-hiker. I had MUCH more of a schedule and deadline when sectioning. I had to go back to work on day certain. On a thru I had MUCH more freedom.
QHShowoman
10-14-2013, 14:54
if you paid to be in a hut for the night you would get your fair share of food. thru-hiker or not. and shelters are first come, first served for everyone
I can't tell if you're agreeing or disagreeing with my post.
Pharr Davis' claim was that she did not get her fair share of food -- that the food was passed out family style and by the time the pasta bowl got to her, there was only a mouthful or two left. So if she was entitled to the same amount of food as everyone else, then she was clearly cheated and had a right to be resentful. Did it really happen this way? We don't know...I am just going by the book since it's what we're discussing.
And you said it best -- shelters are first come, first served for EVERYONE (emphasis mine). So, if you show up to a shelter that can comfortably accommodate 6 people and there are two people taking up all the space, it's reasonable to ask them to make space for you without encountering eye-rolling or exasperated grunts and sighs. If the shelter is already packed like sardines, that's a different story.
MkBibble
10-14-2013, 15:33
... she pretty much trashes AT section hikers early in the book, but I attribute some of that to her youthful exuberance on her first AT thru hike, and the by her accounts she had some run-ins with some real jerks on the trail... I am reading this right now, and just read the part where she trashes various hikers, but I read it differently. First she complains about weekenders, then section hikers, and finally through hikers. I think she was trying to show how naďve she was early in her hike. I'm working (hmm... some what) now; I will look back at that section tonight. I have read many of the AT books; until now AWOL was my favorite. I must say that I like Odyssa even more, and certainly recommend it!
One of the best things about her books is their honesty. Honesty means not sugar-coating thoughts and feelings--not pretending that all hikers are perfect, and that every day is sunny. Did you notice the places in which she takes herself to task for the way she handled her side of certain interactions with other hikers and people she ran into?
In Becoming Odyssa she is telling a coming-of-age story, with all the bumps in the road that entails. As a well-brought-up young southern woman who has led a sheltered and privileged existence, many of the bumps catch her by surprise. The mere existence of people who play by different rules than her family and friends catches her by surprise.
Are a lot of her problems self-inflicted? Of course they are. That's part of the learning process. As I said, I love her honesty about it.
pg. 166; comments about the encounter at Manassas Gap Shelter with 2 disagreeable section hikers. JPD says: "It seemed to me that, as a thru-hiker, I should be able to pull rank over a weekender or section hiker. But I was discovering that the weekenders and section-hikers thought they were just as important as me, if not more so." A generalization like this about "section hikers" is what gave me some heartburn.
MkBibble
10-14-2013, 18:53
Keep reading Praha4. She later criticizes a thru-hiker and realizes that all types (weekenders, section hikers, and thru-hikers) have faults.
Teacher & Snacktime
10-14-2013, 19:30
HUH? I've been both a section and a thru-hiker. I had MUCH more of a schedule and deadline when sectioning. I had to go back to work on day certain. On a thru I had MUCH more freedom.
Well Chin, I'm thinking more that for a section hiker, all schedules and deadlines are self-imposed. You decide how far you'll go in the time allotted; you decide your pace. A thru (as you now are) has that K deadline looming and therefore must avg a certain mileage/pace to finish in time....consistently. You have to count your zeroes, etc, while a sectioner can take whatever time they've allotted and do what they like with it.
I know that I don't believe I have a thruhike in me, since I know I can't handle the requisite mileage I'd need to cover in the season....even if I stretched things out to 5-6 months. As a sectioner, if I only plan to manage 30-40 miles in a week, so be it...my schedule is absolutely my own.
my interpretation of JPD's criticisms of other hiker subspecies: a) Weekenders were not worthy to lick her boots, right down there with the mice in the shelters. b) Section hikers were just a razor's edge higher than weekenders.... in the hierarchy of AT hiker subspecies. c) Finally at the top of the AT hiker evolutionary scale, the AT Thru hiker.... these are the highest form of AT hiker, and should be able to pull rank on the other 2 subspecies, much like a shelter mouse should get out of the way of her hiking boot or shoe. Sure, she points out that other thru hikers have faults too, but at least these thru hikers are above the lower forms of life seen on the trailike "weekenders" and "section hikers". I'm of course inserting some sarcasm here, so bear with me please. I liked her book, and agree with many of the other positive book reviews given here in this thread. If I met her on the trail, I bet we could joke about my criticism and she would laugh with me. Nothing personal intended.
Thru-Hikers and section hikers treat each other differently, section hikers are jealous of thru-hikers so their for section hikers treat thru-hikers like crap, I have seen this on all of my thru hikes, it got so bad in 2012 i wouldn't even talk or stay at a shelter with section hikers.
Train Wreck
10-14-2013, 20:45
When I read her book, I noticed those comments but remembered she was very young at the time and I really didn't think any more about it. Good thing I never kept a journal in my younger days. It would probably average at least one inane, inaccurate, or immature comment on every page. :)
hikerboy57
10-14-2013, 20:47
really, does it matter what her opinion was of section hikers weekenders,thruhikers?these are just names, labels anyway.
i spent the spring on the trail with the bubble down south, everyone i met knew i was a section hiker, i never felt anyone looked at me any differently than if i were hiking thru. and the reality is everyones a section hiker until they finish, and most dont make it.
most at books ive read have been introspective indulgent depressing diaries.i liked this book.
ChinMusic
10-14-2013, 20:57
Thru-Hikers and section hikers treat each other differently, section hikers are jealous of thru-hikers so their for section hikers treat thru-hikers like crap, I have seen this on all of my thru hikes, it got so bad in 2012 i wouldn't even talk or stay at a shelter with section hikers.
Did you forget the blue font or are you serious? I really can't tell.
I enjoyed my interactions with section hikers on my thru.
ChinMusic
10-14-2013, 20:58
really, does it matter what her opinion was of section hikers weekenders,thruhikers?these are just names, labels anyway.
i spent the spring on the trail with the bubble down south, everyone i met knew i was a section hiker, i never felt anyone looked at me any differently than if i were hiking thru. and the reality is everyones a section hiker until they finish, and most dont make it.
My experiences as well. Thrus just had more time.........
Train Wreck
10-14-2013, 21:09
In twenty one years of section hiking the AT, I was only treated differently once. A passing thru hiker told me I couldn't have a soda from a trail magic cooler we were looking at that had been left near a road crossing. It was "for thru hikers only" according to him. We were getting off the trail right there anyway, and I had my own brand in the car waiting, otherwise I'd have popped the top and downed a couple just out of spite :rolleyes:
Sheriff Cougar
10-14-2013, 21:45
I enjoyed the book and her honesty. She admitted her fears and vulnerability. I may not agree with some things but it was her story and I appreciate her sharing her experiences on her first thru hike of the AT.
Teacher & Snacktime
10-14-2013, 22:30
Thru-Hikers and section hikers treat each other differently, section hikers are jealous of thru-hikers so their for section hikers treat thru-hikers like crap, I have seen this on all of my thru hikes, it got so bad in 2012 i wouldn't even talk or stay at a shelter with section hikers.
too ridiculous
Thru-Hikers and section hikers treat each other differently, section hikers are jealous of thru-hikers so their for section hikers treat thru-hikers like crap, I have seen this on all of my thru hikes, it got so bad in 2012 i wouldn't even talk or stay at a shelter with section hikers.
Ummm... so, what kind of hiker would you classify yourself as when doing something other than a thru? Or is the only time you hit the trail, when you have 4 mos to spare? And why would a section hiker be jealous of a thru to begin with?
I think many here are too caught up with the idea that most hikers out there care what type of hike someone else is on. Most have never heard of WB, nor could care less about our opinions of their style of hiking. I find alot of value in this forum but am constantly amused by the elitist perspectives on an activity that has us wet, dirty and smelly much of the time we are engaged in it.
I don't usually have problems with section hikers, but when I do, it's because they've pitched their tent in a shelter. Please stop doing that.
hikerboy57
10-17-2013, 20:21
I've seen a few thru hikers pitch the tent in shelters to.******** come in all shapes sizes and labels
max patch
10-17-2013, 20:25
Drives me crazy when they justify putting the tent in the shelter by saying that "it was 8:00 and I knew no one else was coming to the shelter". Um, no you don't know and if you've hiked for any length of time at all you know that people show up at all hours of the nite and expect to use the shelter.
Honestly, if the shelters were done away with, SO many problems would be alleviated. I think those that carry their own shelter, who must set up and break down everytime they move on down the trail and therefore aren't at the mercy of arrival times, weather, overcrowding, etc. , tend to be a more self sufficient lot and need less attitude adjusting. Man made trail shelters do nothing more than make many people agitated because they leave things to chance and get pissed when it doesn't work out. And I have zero patience for those clowns, as well as any others that believe whatever style hike they are on give them unique rights.
Maybe it would just be wise to put shelters off trail closer to the access points.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2
Wise Old Owl
10-17-2013, 21:28
One of the best things about her books is their honesty. Honesty means not sugar-coating thoughts and feelings--not pretending that all hikers are perfect, and that every day is sunny. Did you notice the places in which she takes herself to task for the way she handled her side of certain interactions with other hikers and people she ran into?
In Becoming Odyssa she is telling a coming-of-age story, with all the bumps in the road that entails. As a well-brought-up young southern woman who has led a sheltered and privileged existence, many of the bumps catch her by surprise. The mere existence of people who play by different rules than her family and friends catches her by surprise.
Are a lot of her problems self-inflicted? Of course they are. That's part of the learning process. As I said, I love her honesty about it.
I got the same feeling about the videos she has on the U-tube.... Thanks.
I haven't read the book yet, but based on everyone's feedback, I will now. It sounds like the author is just relaying what all of us have felt whether we are section hikers or thru's. When you are tired and show up at a shelter all you want to do is throw down your gear and stretch out. If the shelters full, no matter who is in it, that emotion comes out that there ought to be space in there for me. I earned it as much as the next guy. That said, I just came off a section hike last night south of Damascus and hiked with a group of SOBO thru's. It was great sharing stories with them of the sections we had all hiked. I have to admit, it was a little different than hiking with NOBO's in the same area. They seemed to have formed a pretty tight clan from Springer and weren't too open to us section hikers. I guess if I had hiked with the same NOBO's in Maine, the story would be different. I think the more miles you get under your belt, the more you realize we all love the trail and we are out there to enjoy it, not to piss off our fellow hiker. BTW - There's always room in the shelter...I think you multiply the occupancy number by two on a good day and by 3 if it's raining.
One of the best things about her books is their honesty. Honesty means not sugar-coating thoughts and feelings--not pretending that all hikers are perfect, and that every day is sunny. Did you notice the places in which she takes herself to task for the way she handled her side of certain interactions with other hikers and people she ran into?
In Becoming Odyssa she is telling a coming-of-age story, with all the bumps in the road that entails. As a well-brought-up young southern woman who has led a sheltered and privileged existence, many of the bumps catch her by surprise. The mere existence of people who play by different rules than her family and friends catches her by surprise.
Are a lot of her problems self-inflicted? Of course they are. That's part of the learning process. As I said, I love her honesty about it.
Yes. JPD's integrity and overall character shines through her public speaking engagements, writings, in person, and in her actions. I agree with Marta. I'm either the most wrong I ever been in my life or she's a person firmly at the helm of her ship. Despite what her intent may have been in her words on pg166 in Becoming Odyssa she is a person who's genuinely honest with herself and others. If she believes she said something degrading about other hikers and someone calls it out she'll admit it and amend her behavior or already has. JPD knows how to self right her ship and keep it on course. Two thumbs up, regardless of speed hiking records, when it comes to JPD. Class act!
MkBibble
10-18-2013, 11:21
Odyssa is on a journey. Not just from Springer to Katahdin, but in her own life as well. Odyssa, like her namesake Odysseus, is changing from a privileged, over confident, and inflexible girl (in her case), to somebody that is willing to learn self-restraint and humility. She is also learning to accept others as they are.
The book is not about her disdain for weekenders or section-hikers. It is about her emotional journey.
Definitely read the book Slowbo. I just have a few pages left, and I am ordering her newest book, Called Again right now. I have enjoyed many of the AT books, but Becoming Odyssa is my new favorite. Sorry AWOL…
jenpharr
10-19-2013, 18:36
From the horse's mouth ; )
http://blueridgehikingco.com/becoming-odyssa-biggest-regret/
Or you can read it here:
I am very proud of my book, Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382220808&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+odyssa). But I am NOT proud of everything I did in Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382220808&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+odyssa). Perhaps, the thing that I value most about the book is that it is a honest, authentic retelling of my first thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. I share the good, bad, and ugly – even when I’m the one being ugly.
I make no efforts to hide the fact that I was an entitled wanna be thru-hiker when I started. And yes, some of my superiority complex had to do with poor trail etiquette practiced by section hikers that I encountered early on in my journey. But that is not an excuse! Thankfully, my sense of self-importance finally went away. And, it only took 1,000 miles ; )
I remember very clearly, mid-way through the hike, arriving at a shelter just south of Harpers Ferry and meeting the most wonderful weekend hikers there. We all slept in the lean-to together. We were also joined by a few thru-hikers who decided to party and smoke pot two feet away from the pre-teen girl who was spending her first night on the trail…
WHAT?! Thru-hikers could be so inconsiderate!!!
That’s what I thought and that is what I expressed in my book.
The bigger lesson, for me, was that it was never fair to characterize an entire group based on the actions of one or two individuals. At that point I no longer felt that I owned the trail. I realized that I was very fortunate to have 4-6 months to hike the trail. Many section and day hikers would be thru-hikers if they didn’t have commitments at home. And it is arguably harder, and certainly more expensive, to complete the trail over several years – as opposed to several months. I also find that section hikers have a better memory of the trail than most thru-hikers. They savor every bite as opposed to scarfing it all down at once.
When I wrote, Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382220808&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+odyssa), my editor said it was important for me to let the reader draw conclusions and not always state exactly how I felt or how I changed. But my biggest regret concerning the book, is that many section and weekend hikers finish reading it and still feel put-down by the language that I used and the feelings I expressed in the first half of the memoir. It was obviously not clear that my thoughts and impressions of other hikers changed the farther down the trail I traveled.
I speak and write for a living, so I am going to make mistakes and I am going to say things that I regret. I apologize for being a snob when I started the trail, and I apologize for not making it clear in Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382220808&sr=8-1&keywords=becoming+odyssa)that the trail is there for EVERYONE at EVERY phase of life.
By the way, I now that I have an 11-month old daughter, and I am 300 miles into my A.T. section hike.
Teacher & Snacktime
10-19-2013, 19:09
Congrats on your daughter...I saw pictures of her when you met the speed hiker at Springer. I read your book and enjoyed it, and yes, I was one who was a little put out by the assumption. Probably I was more hurt than anything....as would be most who feel they are slighted through no fault of their own. I think that by this thread you can tell though that all the hurts were temporary and coupled with the understanding of your youth at the time and the growth you achieved at the end. It's a lovely thing for you to apologize, but not really necessary. Some will understand, some won't. The plight of the author is that once the work is published, it is no longer yours, but the property and fodder of your audience. You cannot explain and have your explanations accepted really, since each reader takes the story as their own and will be unwilling to change their perception for your explanation. Such is the public life.
Congratulations on all you achievements, and I hope the opportunity presents itself some day for my grandson and I to meet you. Your are legend; you are the AT.
WOW, how refreshing to meet and hear from people like you who are spiraling upwards. Nothing but the greatest of respect for you Jen aside from the records. You're one of the most genuine unpretentious people I've ever met, seen, or read. What a sense of humility you have that I find rare in today's society. You're so willing to be raw to know yourself - the good, bad, and ugly - yet be yourself. You're an excellent judge of your character admitting the life journey you are on sometimes requires you to examine your behavior and thoughts and amend for the better. You're definitely a life long learner; I so enjoy how that comes out in the way you express yourself particularly in your writing. BTW, really enjoyed how you wrote about the finding of the black bag, what you did with it, and what the eventual outcome was. You had me laughing and agreeing with you at the same time. You're a class act young lady even with the bad, ugly, questionable, frailties, and mistakes! Very honest post! It amply demonstrates your character in willing to learn from your past.
hikerboy57
10-19-2013, 20:59
yeah, that was really cool.
ams212001
10-19-2013, 21:13
Thank you for your writing and honesty.
Lone Wolf
10-19-2013, 21:19
bill bryson wrote honestly too
Teacher & Snacktime
10-19-2013, 21:24
bill bryson wrote honestly too
Yes he did! I love his stuff. Have you read the Lightningbolt kid?
Is your point to outline the difference of reception of the two authors, LW? I don't understand why there is a difference, or such negative feelings toward Bryson...but there is and who can control reception? But I love his stuff...he makes me laugh.
Lone Wolf
10-19-2013, 21:26
Yes he did! I love his stuff. Have you read the Lightningbolt kid?
Is your point to outline the difference of reception of the two authors, LW? I don't understand why there is a difference, or such negative feelings toward Bryson...but there is and who can control reception? But I love his stuff...he makes me laugh.
yes. bryson gets a bad rap
lush242000
10-20-2013, 09:26
pg. 166; comments about the encounter at Manassas Gap Shelter with 2 disagreeable section hikers. JPD says: "It seemed to me that, as a thru-hiker, I should be able to pull rank over a weekender or section hiker. But I was discovering that the weekenders and section-hikers thought they were just as important as me, if not more so." A generalization like this about "section hikers" is what gave me some heartburn.
Pull rank? Hah. Good luck with that.
Sent from somewhere.
Odyssa is on a journey. Not just from Springer to Katahdin, but in her own life as well. Odyssa, like her namesake Odysseus, is changing from a ...., to somebody that is willing to learn self-restraint and humility. She is also learning to accept others as they are.
The book is not about her disdain for weekenders or section-hikers. It is about her emotional(LIFE) journey.
Definitely read the book Slowbo. I just have a few pages left, and I am ordering her newest book, Called Again right now. I have enjoyed many of the AT books, but Becoming Odyssa is my new favorite.…
Well said!
I heard Jen say, "I like the person who finished the AT much better than the person who started the path." Couldn't have said it any better myself for myself! That's what introspection, humility, and hiking as the fertile ground can do. It's one big motive why I keep long distance hiking - because I know I need to keep moving forward in my life. Hiking(Thru-hiking) IS SO MUCH MORE THAN HIKING.
MuddyWaters
10-20-2013, 16:05
People have all kinds of thoughts.
Your thoughts dont define you, your actions do.
Im glad it was written as it was, honestly. Ive read others that refer to "F__ing section hikers". Im glad they are written that way as well.
What makes a book good, is when it lets you into the head of the writer.
Thru-hikers arent the only ones who sometimes feel superior, plenty of section hikers wish that people that walk in from roads shouldnt be allowed to use shelters, and plenty of basically car-campers think that no one should be there but the people that got there first.
Other people dont like people with dogs on the trail, and some dont like people with guns on the trail.
And darn near everyone wishes that large groups like scouts, college group trips, etc would just stay the heck off the trail.
Look in the mirror before you fault anyone. Just like ducks, we all prefer to mingle with our own kind.
warren doyle
10-23-2013, 11:41
Answer to post #4 - This is not taught at the Appalachian Trail Institute (as implied by the poster). Jennifer is one of the most important human resources that the AT will have from the publishing of Becoming Odyssa to hopefully around 2050. She gives me hope. In my opinion, her story is the one that should be promoted and shared by a major film.
I was fortunate enough to see JPD give a talk about her experiences. I saw a person who loves natures, is gracious about sharing the trail and loves to talk about her journey.
I'd hate to be judged by statements I made at 23. :) I know, for me, the AT was not only a journey about following the white blazes but also an inner transformation. I matured on the trail.
Seems JPD, and others, mature on the trail too.
Answer to post #4 - This is not taught at the Appalachian Trail Institute (as implied by the poster). Jennifer is one of the most important human resources that the AT will have from the publishing of Becoming Odyssa to hopefully around 2050. She gives me hope. In my opinion, her story is the one that should be promoted and shared by a major film.
100% agree Warren. I think her journey both as a hiker and in life is the story I would most enjoy seeing on the big screen.
QHShowoman
10-23-2013, 12:10
100% agree Warren. I think her journey both as a hiker and in life is the story I would most enjoy seeing on the big screen.
Me too. And I think Jessica Biel would do a great job playing her!
I think her story has so much more to offer than say Brysons including appealing to a wider range of an audience. As she becomes increasingly more popular amongst the broader spectrum of audiences including females and non hikers I think that will be considered. I would certainly recommend her story and books to those who never have any intention of hiking.
slbirdnerd
10-23-2013, 12:35
Praha4, you might also like both books by The Barefoot Sisters if you haven't already read them (Southbound; Walking Home--in that order!). I enjoyed Odyssa but I am enjoying the Sisters more.
MkBibble
10-23-2013, 14:14
Jennifer Pharr Davis and Warren Doyle in the same thread... WOW! I put off reading Odyssa because I thought it was about a girl hiking the AT; I was really wrong.
Tom Murphy
10-23-2013, 14:43
She did her first thru right out of college in 2005, which the book was written about. I would like to think she has evolved some since then.
I know I did in the 8 years after I completed my undergraduate degree.
+1, you often see an author add a foreword to later editions to address these types of things
posts from JPD and Warren Doyle O_O
oh yeah, they're real people
I might crap my pants if I met them in real life