Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Hiking the Appalachian Trail is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid. A thru hike is probably out of the question but I definitely want to hike sections of it. So I was really curious to read a first hand account of it.
Summary of "A Walk In The Woods"
What's this book about?
Bryson documents the highs and lows of their adventure in a funny and perceptive style. He also offers plenty of information about the trail. Everything from the trail's history and ecology to its modern day environmental threats.
Bryson has many fears about hiking and living in the woods which he shares freely. The biggest is bears and he devotes several pages to summarizing his research on various bear attacks in the woods.
Thoughts About "A Walk In The Woods"
Bryson's very open with his opinions and observations about the trail. He talks about how it's maintained, which states have the best (and worst) trail maps and the impact of the federal government on the trail's usage and the environment. His conversational writing style keeps everything interesting and there's some really good stuff in here for anyone interested in the AT.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail is one of those experiences where you know you're going to meet some interesting people. Bryson does a good job of describing the ones he encountered on the trail.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail)
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/05/2009)
About Bill Bryson
The Author
William McGuire "Bill" Bryson, OBE, (born 8 December 1951) is a best-selling American author of humorous books on travel, as well as books on the English language and on scientific subjects. He was a resident of North Yorkshire, England for most of his professional life before moving back to the US in 1995. He has lived in Norfolk, England since 2003.
Other Books by Bill Bryson
I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
My copy of "A Walk in the Woods" had an interesting excerpt from this one at the end.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/05/2009)
Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America
Amazon Price: $11.75 (as of 07/05/2009)
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/05/2009)
What I Liked Most About "A Walk In The Woods"
- An interesting story that brings the experience of hiking the AT alive and motivated me to get serious about doing it myself.
- Very witty and funny writing style.
- It's an enjoyably easy read. You can read a few pages or a few chapters at a time.
What Is The Appalachian Trail?
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply The A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Katahdin in Maine.Gailey, Chris (2006). "Appalachian Trail FAQs" Outdoors.org (accessed September 14, 2006) It is approximately long. The path is maintained by thirty trail clubs and multiple partnerships. A.T. Essentials" AppalachianTrail.org (accessed September 12, 2006) The majority of the trail is in wilderness, although some portions do traverse towns and roads, and cross rivers.
The Appalachian Trail is famous for its many hikers, some of whom, called thru-hikers, attempt to hike it in its entirety in a single season. Earl Shaffer was the first to do so. Many books, memoirs, web sites and fan organizations are dedicated to this pursuit.
Along the way, the trail passes through the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. An extension, the International Appalachian Trail, continues north into Canada and to the end of the range, where it enters the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail form the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking in the United States.
Pictures From The Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail sign
Trail marker near Skyline Drive
AT sign
Maine
Trail shelter
A view from Hawk Rock
New Hampshire
Maryland
Georgia
Mount Katahdin Start/Finish
Smoky Mountains
Autumn
Have You Hiked The Appalachian Trail?
If you're going to hike the Appalachian Trail
Here's the guide for you...
The Thru-hiker's Handbook 2002: Guide to the Appalachian Trail (Georgia to Maine)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Bryson refers to this book as "the one indispensable guide to the AT".
My Rating of "A Walk In The Woods"
This book was fun to read and educational at the same time. I highly recommend A Walk In The Woods for anyone planning to hike the AT.I'm looking forward to reading more books by Bill Bryson.
How Do You Rate "A Walk In The Woods"?
Your Review...
Thanks for visiting. Please share your thoughts on A Walk In The Woods, Bill Bryson or hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Ramkitten wrote...
I read this book after thru-hiking and really enjoyed it. I'd met some of the people Bryson wrote about. And some of the people he mentions are actually composites or charicatures of hikers he met. But, yes, I agree, definitely a book to have in your A.T. "library."
Posted December 11, 2008
