Trailhead
New Boots • Gathering • Grapevine • Springer Fever
A.T. Companion • Headlamp Material • Work Trips • Side Trails
Roland Mueser spent several years preparing for his 1989 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, then spent several years culling his information, circulating questionnaires to other hikers and choosing just the right words to tell his story and the stories of his fellow hikers.
Here is a book that is worth almost as much time reading as it took to write it. Roland, a member of ALDHA, gives ample recognition to our organization, and for that we are grateful. But his book is about more than just the Long Distance Hikers Association. He tackles the tough job of trying to define the thru-hiking experience in solid terms, based on research, sampling, and his own experiences. What may sound like a dry statistical treatment of his subject is actually quite an enjoyable read, with Roly’s own unique voice coming through in his writing. For instance, he handles the subject of sex on the trail as deftly, amusingly and clinically as an entertaining college professor would.
You’ll recognize the names of quite a few other hikers and members of ALDHA, especially if you were lucky enough to be on the Appalachian Trail during the final year of this century’s penultimate decade. For members of the Class of “AT9,” this book is a must read.
His book is available through the ATC’s Ultimate Trail Store, as well as through Amazon.com.