Download or read book How the WILD Effect Turned Me Into a Hiker At 69 written by Jane Congdon and published by Burres Books. This book was released on 2018-06-25 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Did you ever feel a need to shake up your life a little? Jane Congdon did, and spent 17 weeks on the Appalachian Trail hiking with partners, alone, and with a good-luck charm, logging 1,200 miles in 7 of the 14 AT states. This is her fascinating and humorous account of journey-from bears, wild pigs, violent weather, trail town stops--and the personalities she met along the way--and how it changed her perceptions of both Mother Nature and human nature.
Download or read book Grandma Gatewood s Walk written by Ben Montgomery and published by Chicago Review Press. This book was released on 2014-04-01 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the 2014 National Outdoor Book Awards for History/Biography Emma Gatewood told her family she was going on a walk and left her small Ohio hometown with a change of clothes and less than two hundred dollars. The next anybody heard from her, this genteel, farm-reared, 67-year-old great-grandmother had walked 800 miles along the 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail. And in September 1955, having survived a rattlesnake strike, two hurricanes, and a run-in with gangsters from Harlem, she stood atop Maine's Mount Katahdin. There she sang the first verse of "America, the Beautiful" and proclaimed, "I said I'll do it, and I've done it." Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person—man or woman—to walk it twice and three times. Gatewood became a hiking celebrity and appeared on TV and in the pages of Sports Illustrated. The public attention she brought to the little-known footpath was unprecedented. Her vocal criticism of the lousy, difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and very likely saved the trail from extinction. Author Ben Montgomery was given unprecedented access to Gatewood's own diaries, trail journals, and correspondence, and interviewed surviving family members and those she met along her hike, all to answer the question so many asked: Why did she do it? The story of Grandma Gatewood will inspire readers of all ages by illustrating the full power of human spirit and determination. Even those who know of Gatewood don't know the full story—a story of triumph from pain, rebellion from brutality, hope from suffering.
Download or read book Awol on the Appalachian Trail written by David Miller and published by Wingspan Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A 41-year-old engineer quits his job to hike the Appalachian Trail. This is a true account of his hike from Georgia to Maine, bringing to the reader the life of the towns and the people he meets along the way.
Download or read book It Started with Dracula written by Jane Congdon and published by Bettie Young's Books. This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The terrifying legend of Count Dracula silently skulking through the Transylvania night may have terrified generations of filmgoers, but the tall, elegant vampire captivated and electrified a young Jane Congdon, igniting a dream to one day see his mysterious land of ancient castles and misty hollows. Four decades later she finally takes her long-awaited trip-never dreaming that it would unearth decades-buried memories of life with an alcoholic mother, and trigger a life-changing inner journey. Unfolding in 18 days as she followed the footsteps of Dracula from Bucharest, to the Carpathian Mountains, and the Black Sea. Dracula's legend becomes the prism through which she would revisit her childhood and lay claim to a happiness she had never known. A memoir full of surprises, Jane's story is one of hope, love-and second chances. Unfinished business can surface when we least expect it. It Started with Dracula is the inspiring story of two parallel journeys: one a carefully planned vacation and the other an astonishing and unexpected tour in repairing a wounded heart. -Charles Whitfield, MD, Bestselling author, Healing the Child Within An elegantly written and cleverly told real-life adventure story proving that the struggle for self-love is universal. An electrifying read.-Diane Bruno, CISION Media
Download or read book Becoming Odyssa written by Jennifer Pharr Davis and published by . This book was released on 2011-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Originally published in 2010 with the subtitle Epic adventures on the Appalachian Trail.
Download or read book Into the Wild written by Jon Krakauer and published by Anchor. This book was released on 2009-09-22 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. This is the unforgettable story of how Christopher Johnson McCandless came to die. "It may be nonfiction, but Into the Wild is a mystery of the highest order." —Entertainment Weekly McCandess had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Not long after, he was dead. Into the Wild is the mesmerizing, heartbreaking tale of an enigmatic young man who goes missing in the wild and whose story captured the world’s attention. Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his cash. He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and, unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented. Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away. Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild. Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life. Admitting an interest that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the drives and desires that propelled McCandless. When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris. He is said to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity, and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding—and not an ounce of sentimentality. Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.
Download or read book Little Girls Lost written by Helen Reade and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book I Promise Not To Suffer written by Gail Storey and published by Mountaineers Books. This book was released on 2013-03-14 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Witty, wise, and full of heart, Gail Storey’s winning memoir of her hike on the Pacific Crest Trail at the age of fifty-six is a book for every one who ever dreamed of taking the road less traveled. I Promise Not to Suffer is as inspiring as it is hilarious, as poignant as it is smart. It’s one of those oh-please-don’t-let-it-end books. I’d carry it in my backpack anywhere.”—Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild CLICK HERE to download the first 50 pages from I Promise Not To Suffer (Provide us with a little information and we'll send your download directly to your inbox) With comfortable urban lives in Houston, Texas, and career and life goals mostly accomplished, Gail D. Storey and her husband were in their fifties when they decided it was time to test themselves on a new path—a 2,663-mile path known as the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Canada. I Promise Not to Suffer is Gail's light-hearted yet heart-felt memoir about her and her husband's adventures and misadventures, deepening marriage, and reflections on being irrevocably changed by life on the trail. She was a novice hiker, while he was an experienced outdoorsman. Removed from their usual routines and living outside in the wilderness for months exposed hidden intricacies in their relationship. Hiking 20 miles a day over mountains, thirsting in the high desert of California, forcing frozen feet into icy socks and boots each morning in the High Sierra, stumbling through lava fields in Oregon—Gail was required to meet the elements on their own tough-love terms. From an encounter with a mountain lion to her mother's battle with cancer at home, she confronts each challenge with wit and brave style. While a dangerous loss of weight forces Gail to leave the PCT after 900 miles, she regains strength and later rejoins her husband on sections until he triumphantly reaches the northern terminus in Canada. Humorous yet honest, this journey of harrowing hilarity and reluctant revelations will be loved by active hikers (appendices include details of their unique ultralight gear and other essential how-to information), fans of female adventure stories, and armchair travelers alike. Want to know more about author Gail Storey? Head to her website today. Praise for I Promise Not To Suffer: “At times wrenching memoir, at times hilarious, I Promise Not to Suffer pulls no punches and has a wicked sense of fun. Storey reminds me again of what is possible with a big imagination, a dose of scrappy courage, and a lot of love.” --Peter Heller, author of The Dog Stars and Kook “Some have called Gail Storey the Nora Ephron of the wilderness. With her own unique wit, Storey shares Ephron’s commitment to creating and tending a long, nourishing marriage. I Promise Not to Suffer is a portrait of a union that does not fray or break under pressure but is forged, toughened, and tenderized.” --Sara Davidson, author of Leap!, Loose Change, and The December Project “Of the many books that I have read about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, none have captured the trail experience from so many different perspectives.Single hikers, couples, and those who stay behind will all enjoy Gail Storey’s account of the challenges, the beauty, and the PCT community found along the way.” --Liz Bergeron, Executive Director and CEO, Pacific Crest Trail Association Winner of the Nautilus Awards 2014 "Better Books for a Better World" Silver Award! Winner of the Colorado Books Awards 2014 in the Memoir category!
Download or read book 127 Hours written by Aron Ralston and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2011-02-03 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A day-by-day account of Aron Ralston's unforgettable survival story. On Saturday, 26 April 2003, Aron Ralston, a 27-year-old outdoorsman and adventurer, set off for a day's hike in the Utah canyons. Eight miles from his truck, he found himself in the middle of a deep and remote canyon. Then the unthinkable happened: a boulder shifted and snared his right arm against the canyon wall. He was trapped, facing dehydration, starvation, hallucinations and hypothermia as night-time temperatures plummeted. Five and a half days later, Aron Ralston finally came to the agonising conclusion that his only hope was to amputate his own arm and get himself to safety. Miraculously, he survived. 127 Hours is more than just an adventure story. It is a brave, honest and above all inspiring account of one man's valiant effort to survive, and is destined to take its place among adventure classics such as Touching the Void.
Download or read book Hiking Through written by Paul Stutzman and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2012-03-12 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With breathtaking descriptions and humorous anecdotes from his 2,176-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail, Paul Stutzman reveals how immersing himself in nature and befriending fellow hikers helped him recover from a devastating loss.
Download or read book Force of Nature written by Jane Harper and published by Flatiron Books. This book was released on 2018-02-06 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Goodreads Choice Award Finalist (Mystery & Thriller, 2018) BookBrowse Best Books of 2018 Winner of the Prix Polar Award for Best International Novel BookRiot’s 25 Best Suspense Books from 2018 Davitt Awards shortlist for Adult Crime Novel 2018 Dead Good Reads shortlist for Best Small Town Mystery 2018 Five women go on a hike. Only four return. Jane Harper, the New York Times bestselling author of The Dry, asks: How well do you really know the people you work with? When five colleagues are forced to go on a corporate retreat in the wilderness, they reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking down the muddy path. But one of the women doesn’t come out of the woods. And each of her companions tells a slightly different story about what happened. Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing hiker. In an investigation that takes him deep into isolated forest, Falk discovers secrets lurking in the mountains, and a tangled web of personal and professional friendship, suspicion, and betrayal among the hikers. But did that lead to murder? “Force of Nature bristles with wit; it crackles with suspense; it radiates atmosphere. An astonishing book from an astonishing writer.” —A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window Select praise for The Dry: "One of the most stunning debuts I've ever read. Every word is near perfect. Read it!" —David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author “A breathless page-turner ... Ms. Harper has made her own major mark.” —The New York Times
Download or read book When it Clicks written by Jennifer Salvage and published by . This book was released on 2014-12-12 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When It Clicks grabs for the heart of extreme readers, those who know that reading is a sport and who demand to be stunned with every turn of the page. Through the voice of the engaging, girl-next-door turned adventurer, the reader is pulled into the moment ... whether that moment is staring into the steaming nostrils of a wild beast ... climbing the Alps in a blizzard ... defying gravity on a treacherous incline ... or getting in and out of wrong-way relationships. Be prepared to hear your heart pounding and to redefine beauty, magnificence, and joy. Tourists go to see; travelers go to linger; adventurers go to live life more fully. Jennifer Salvage is a bold adventurer, hiking her way to peace, joy, and fulfillment in the face of personal and physical challenges. Although she has wanderlust, Jennifer has no one to wander with. The first woman to thru-hike the International Appalachian Trail by herself, Jennifer discovers that traveling alone has lost its appeal. When It Clicks chronicles Jennifer's struggles to let go of her old insecurities, live in the moment, and become a woman who is actually, finally, comfortable in her own skin. The Internet introduces her to Jeff, the man who is meant to be. Before the reader is able to utter "happily ever after," a formidable wedding dress becomes the inspiration for a life-changing odyssey. After Jennifer agrees to Jeff's request for a few extra photo shoots in the dress, a seed is planted, and then the greatest adventure begins. Jennifer and Jeff crisscross the globe, through the rice fields of China, the redwoods of California, and the wilds of New Zealand as they seek out the next perfect shot of Jennifer in her wedding dress. When It Clicks could be aptly subtitled You Won't See It Coming. With each adventure, Jennifer becomes the serendipitous bride, a surprising discovery set against the backdrop of the world's most iconic treasures.
Download or read book Appalachian Trials written by Zach Davis and published by . This book was released on 2012-02-08 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "I really loved it...Appalachian Trials is full of specific tactical tips for mental preparation, which is key well beyond the AT." - Tim Ferriss, author of New York Times Best Selling The 4-Hour Workweek and The 4-Hour Body Each year, it is estimated that more than 2,000 people set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, yet seven in ten ultimately fall short of their goal. Given the countless number of how-to books and websites offering information about logistics, gear, and endurance training, one would think that more people would finish this 2,200 mile trek. Why then, do so many hikers quit prematurely? After successfully thru-hiking the AT in five months with zero prior backpacking experience, author, Zach Davis, is convinced he's discovered the answer. Aspiring thru-hikers, Davis tells readers, are preparing the wrong way- sweating on the StairMaster, meticulously plotting each re-supply box, or obsessing over the a synthetic or down sleeping bag or perfect pair of socks. While the AT undoubtedly presents extraordinary physical challenges, it is the psychological and emotional struggles that drive people off the trail. Conquering these mental obstacles is the key to success. This groundbreaking book focuses on the most important and overlooked piece of equipment of all- the gear between one's ears. Filled with first-hand, touching yet humorous vignettes and down-to-earth advice that both instructs and inspires, Appalachian Trials gives readers the mental road map they'll need to hike from Springer Mountain to Mt.Katahdin. In Appalachian Trials readers will learn: Goal setting techniques that will assure hikers reach Mt. Katahdin The common early stage pitfalls and how to avoid them How to beat "the Virginia Blues" The importance of and meaning behind "hiking your own hike" 5 strategies for unwavering mental endurance The most common mistake made in the final stretch of the trail Tips for enjoying rather than enduring each of the five million steps along the journey Strategies for avoiding post-trail depression and weight gain In addition, the Bonus Section of Appalachian Trials includes: A thorough chapter on gear written by thru-hiker of the AT and Pacific Crest Trail, and professional backpack gear reviewer Information about the trail's greatest and most unknown risk and how to guard against it 9 tips for saving money before and during your thru-hike A thorough FAQ section including information ranging from how to obtain sponsorship, to the best stove for the trail, to avoiding chafing, and much more
Download or read book Wild Adventure written by Howard Hill and published by Derrydale Press. This book was released on 2000-05-02 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This collection of wild and woolly adventure stories from real life was first published by Stackpole Books in 1954. From roping bear and cougar in Arizona to hunting wild boar with a longbow on Santa Catalina Island in California and alligator wrestling in the Everglades, Howard Hill was the prototypical "extreme" guy. Includes outstanding photography from Hill's adventures of such animals as grizzly bear, elk, mountain sheep and moose. First published by Stackpole Books in 1954. Foreword by Errol Flynn. New preface by Jerry Hill, the author's nephew.
Download or read book To Build a Fire written by Jack London and published by The Creative Company. This book was released on 2008 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the experiences of a newcomer to the Yukon when he attempts to hike through the snow to reach a mining claim.
Download or read book Look Me in the Eye written by John Elder Robison and published by Crown. This book was released on 2008-09-09 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “As sweet and funny and sad and true and heartfelt a memoir as one could find.” —from the foreword by Augusten Burroughs Ever since he was young, John Robison longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habits—an inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holes (and stick his younger brother, Augusten Burroughs, in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” It was not until he was forty that he was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. That understanding transformed the way he saw himself—and the world. A born storyteller, Robison has written a moving, darkly funny memoir about a life that has taken him from developing exploding guitars for KISS to building a family of his own. It’s a strange, sly, indelible account—sometimes alien yet always deeply human.
Download or read book Free Outside written by Jeff Garmire and published by . This book was released on 2019-09-03 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jeff Garmire was living the fast paced life of a successful young professional when he gave it all up to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. He set out to become only the fifth person to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail in a single calendar year. Finishing the 8,000 mile Calendar Year Triple Crown would be an adventure of a lifetime. The journey was riddled with inclement weather, shady characters, wildlife attacks, and injuries. Along the way Jeff swam frozen rivers, encountered wildfires and battled his own mind. He offers a captivating story of strength and courage. Hiking through some of the most remote areas in America, Jeff is continually overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of strangers. Free Outside is the fascinating story of Jeff Garmire's journey along the national historic trails that define wild America. Finishing would take everything he had, and he was willing to give it all.
