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hadleymoss's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
sammah's review against another edition
5.0
I really, really enjoyed reading this! I live near the Appalachian Trail, and have been on a small fraction of it near Clingman's Dome years ago. In the past few years I've had the notion to go to Maine with the intentions of hiking Katahdin. I do not have the moxy to hike the AT, or even a portion of it, but I like to imagine that I would like to try it sometime. I love reading about the experiences of others though, especially when those experiences involve such wonderful aspects of nature.
justasking27's review against another edition
4.0
I'm glad books like this exist so I can justify my desire to never go hike the Appalachian Trail. Told in a journalistic style, the author doesn't shy away from the trials and tribulations of the trail while doing justice to the amazing beauty and experiences of the trail. I especially liked the descriptions of Awol's fellow hikers and their various reasons for taking on the challenge of thru-hiking.
hals's review
5.0
i read this to read a first hand account of the AT while my bf was hiking it. i got so much beautiful detail from the trail & more — including poignant reflections on the importance to keep loose the moorings of society, to chase your dreams, to take the pain with the beauty, to keep going
papi's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the author's experiences - unvarnished and detailed - hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). I found myself wondering about the possibility of doing it myself one day, but work, family, and church duties preclude that, so I will need to content myself with others' experiences. Miller's descriptions of the trail, of the blisters, sprains, and other incidental injuries that afflicted him (and others) his notes about other hikers, and his thoughts and feelings as he hiked all combine to bring to life the AT experience.
It seems that, in the decade since he wrote AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, Miller has become something of an expert on preparing for and hiking the trail. Yet, as his experiences show, it isn't necessarily equipment, but attitude, that makes the difference. He continues to use essentially similar equipment as what he used then.
Favorite quotes:
1. "I am glad that I write. Experience is enriched by reliving it, contemplating it, and trying to describe it to another person."
2. "Thoughts are the most effective weapon in the human arsenal. On the upside, it is powerful to realize that goals are reached primarily by establishing the proper state of mind. But if allowed the perspective that ogoad deacons are propped upon nothing but a notion, we falter."
3. "Anything that we consider to be an accomplishment takes effort to achieve. If it were easy, it would not be nearly as gratifying. What is hardship at the moment will add to our sense of achievement in the end."
4. "I am complacent about the struggles of the day. I am just making miles through the long, wet green tunnel. I knew there would be monotonous stretches. Hike on -- that's the solution to which I keep coming back." Not a bad thing to remember for those days when work...and living...seem to be drudgery...
5. "Difficulty on the trail, like this long and rainy day, is usually reflected upon fondly. There is the soothing, rhythmic beat of rainfall, the feeling that the woods are being washed and rejuvenated, the odors of the woods awakened by moisture. There is appreciation for the most simple of things, such as a flat and dry piece of ground and something warm to eat. There is satisfaction in having endured hardship, pride in being able to do for myself in the wilderness. There is strength in knowing
I can do it again tomorrow."
6. "I have come to recognize that most of what is memorable and pleasing about my time on the trail is ordinary moments...My fond recollections of my hike are full of unremarkable moments..."
7. "Months of scrutinizing everything that I carry have conditioned me to view possessions as burdens." Reminds me of Thoreau in Walden: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberatel, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life..."
8. "We can better relate to the budding aspirations of our children if we follow dreams of our own."
It's time to start walking and hiking again...as soon as the temps in TX drop below 100!
It seems that, in the decade since he wrote AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, Miller has become something of an expert on preparing for and hiking the trail. Yet, as his experiences show, it isn't necessarily equipment, but attitude, that makes the difference. He continues to use essentially similar equipment as what he used then.
Favorite quotes:
1. "I am glad that I write. Experience is enriched by reliving it, contemplating it, and trying to describe it to another person."
2. "Thoughts are the most effective weapon in the human arsenal. On the upside, it is powerful to realize that goals are reached primarily by establishing the proper state of mind. But if allowed the perspective that ogoad deacons are propped upon nothing but a notion, we falter."
3. "Anything that we consider to be an accomplishment takes effort to achieve. If it were easy, it would not be nearly as gratifying. What is hardship at the moment will add to our sense of achievement in the end."
4. "I am complacent about the struggles of the day. I am just making miles through the long, wet green tunnel. I knew there would be monotonous stretches. Hike on -- that's the solution to which I keep coming back." Not a bad thing to remember for those days when work...and living...seem to be drudgery...
5. "Difficulty on the trail, like this long and rainy day, is usually reflected upon fondly. There is the soothing, rhythmic beat of rainfall, the feeling that the woods are being washed and rejuvenated, the odors of the woods awakened by moisture. There is appreciation for the most simple of things, such as a flat and dry piece of ground and something warm to eat. There is satisfaction in having endured hardship, pride in being able to do for myself in the wilderness. There is strength in knowing
I can do it again tomorrow."
6. "I have come to recognize that most of what is memorable and pleasing about my time on the trail is ordinary moments...My fond recollections of my hike are full of unremarkable moments..."
7. "Months of scrutinizing everything that I carry have conditioned me to view possessions as burdens." Reminds me of Thoreau in Walden: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberatel, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life..."
8. "We can better relate to the budding aspirations of our children if we follow dreams of our own."
It's time to start walking and hiking again...as soon as the temps in TX drop below 100!
kfan's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining! Details the ins and outs and ups and downs of (seemingly) every single day on his thru-hike of the AT. It shouldn't be that interesting but it is! Solid read.
evolvemind's review against another edition
5.0
David Miller's recounting of his 2003 south-to-north through hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is the second-best thing to being on the AT yourself. The book is organized by the segments of the 2,174 mile trail as Miller hiked them. His descriptions are spare, yet inspiring. His observations of through-hiker and day-hiker cultures fascinates. Imagine slogging through freezing rains, mud, swampy bogs filled with ravenous mosquitoes, steamy summer doldrums, arduous ascents and often more difficult descents, all while carrying 35-pounds of everything you'll have access to. Also imagine the many other times you are immersed in solitude and astonishing beauty. Each day you aren't sure whether you'll get a space (a wooden or concrete shelf) in a trail shelter or have to sleep on the ground. Either way, you have to outwit mice and other critters who've learned that hikers' food bags are easy pickins. You learn how to do the avoidance dance with mother bears whose cubs always get between you and where you need to be. You figure out how to interact with an assortment of interesting hikers--most of whom are people you come to respect, but one or more of whom are slightly unsavory. You become so intimately acquainted with the trail that a year after your hike you still recognize the particular rocks you sat on during your breaks along the way. You become so severed from the daily routines and distractions you were once addicted to that your mind reassesses its habits, reorders its priorities, pares away the non-essential, and reacquaints itself with the nature of true needs versus superficialities--real risks versus imaginary ones.
I greatly enjoyed this book. One day...
I greatly enjoyed this book. One day...
courtlane's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. He did a great job writing it and giving detail without getting boring. I want to thru hike someday!
sarahbowman101's review against another edition
3.0
The good: David Miller seems like a regular middle aged dude who sets out to hike the Appalachain Trail, instead of a young trust fund mountain climber. He is detailed in his account of supplies and the ins and outs of hiking, both glorious and exceptionally mundane (diarrhea and lost toenails!). This is a hiking tale from someone who is missing his family, worrying about money and trying to find gear that works for him.
The bad: David Miller is a computer programmer and this book has about as much humor as if a computer programmer wrote it. There is also a lack of time line in terms of what month he is actually in what part of the trail. This seems like an easy fix, but has been left out. I was also turned off by the two pages of complaints about paying taxes. Dude, you are hiking through areas of this country that are funded by federal taxes! This seemed unnecessary and slightly obnoxious.
Overall, a decent and detailed account. I would recommend this especially to new or inexperienced hikers who are looking for some first hand accounts.
The bad: David Miller is a computer programmer and this book has about as much humor as if a computer programmer wrote it. There is also a lack of time line in terms of what month he is actually in what part of the trail. This seems like an easy fix, but has been left out. I was also turned off by the two pages of complaints about paying taxes. Dude, you are hiking through areas of this country that are funded by federal taxes! This seemed unnecessary and slightly obnoxious.
Overall, a decent and detailed account. I would recommend this especially to new or inexperienced hikers who are looking for some first hand accounts.
beatitude's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a hiker. I picked this up because I was keen to learn more about the Appalachian trail after reading Bill Bryson's [b:A Walk in the Woods|9791|A Walk in the Woods|Bill Bryson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388189974s/9791.jpg|613469]. There's no history or wider view, just a guy describing his hike and his reasons for doing it in great detail. It's a lovely read. It's more enjoyable than it has any right to be. All the stories about the various people on the trail are the best part.