A review by fictionalkate
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller

5.0

AWOL on the Appalachian Trail was the book I wanted to read about thru hiking. It covered the highs and lows (and I’m not talking about the elevation although it covered the mountain peaks and valleys too) of the 2000+ miles journey from Mount Springer and Mount Katadin. In this book I got to read about the missing toenails and the injuries which occur but also got a good sense of the community one might encounter on the trail. We got to follow Awol as he walked through fourteen states and we also got to be there as he faced hardships too. Also included are photos of wildlife he encountered as well as stories of the people he trekked alongside. I think this book is what I wanted the classic Bill Bryson AT memoir to be. I got a better sense of why people walk the trail as well as daily life out there. It’s hard going and even when you’re prepared and have good support it’s still difficult. This take on the trail is a modern version but it’s also more focused on human experience and the mundane qualities of hiking rather than a more romanticised view of trail life. I liked Awol’s style of storytelling. It felt more relatable and matter of fact about the journey he was undertaking. If anything it was almost underwhelming with regards to emotion - I’m sure being separated from his family for so long was difficult but it was never overly focused on and overall the book was fairly emotionless in a way. I also enjoyed how it was a full story. This book started just before Awol arrived in Georgia and we got to follow the entire way to Maine. I was hoping that reading this would cool my enthusiasm towards long distance hiking adventures but if anything it whet my appetite just a little more. I enjoyed every moment I spent vicariously with Awol on the trail and would definitely invest in his annual trail guides if I was ever to venture onto the Appalachian Trail.