Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart by Carrot Quinn

This author wrote in a repetitive style that reminded me of plodding along on a hike. I grew to like it. She repeats words in threes...like hike, hike, hike or hunger, hunger, hunger. She is inexperienced as a hiker, and we get to learn lessons right along with her. She's brutally open and honest and describes the culture of her group of hikers as being extremely close, dirty, and loving. It's an interesting mix! Also, the language is colorful, with an annoying amount of F bombs, but it's often quoting the conversations...

Quinn also reveals a lot about the LGBTQ culture, by describing herself as "queer" and recounts her infatuations with both a woman and later, a man. Somewhat graphic in her descriptions, it helped me learn about "trail trash" and how this group interacts with each other. Sexuality is almost a non-issue in some ways, it's treated so casually. Often the hikers are so filthy that it's hard to imagine a sexual encounter being particularly appealing--but that's just my own 68-year old perspective!

It was fascinating to read about the challenges...like getting sick on the trail, and breaking a tooth, for example. How one hitchhikes to a nearby town, how strangers help out, and how, in the end, no matter what, sometimes all you can do is put one foot in front of another. And she does... I could tell this is one tough woman. I like how she gradually gains strength along the trail and astounds herself with what she can do... 35-mile days, for example, over mountain ridges. She loves trees and the sky and describes them similarly to how I feel about them. She also describes how the trail becomes her whole world and reality. What's happening outside of the trail becomes irrelevant. And her mounting sadness as she nears the end of the hike is interesting too. Other authors are rejoicing that they've achieved their goal, while Quinn is melancholy and lost at the end. She basically wants to live on the trail, and since this book, is apparently doing just that: living on other trails. Good for her.

Bliss(ters) by Gail M. Francis

This is the story of how one woman hiked from Mexico to Canada, on the Pacific Crest Trail. I enjoyed this self-published book because it is well-written and has little pull-out sections that teach you practical things you need to know if you choose to do this thru-hike. Some examples of the pull outs:

• HYOH - Hike Your Own Hike
• Typical Contents of Traditional vs. Ultralight Packs
• Trailnames
• Typical Food
• Gear Changes at Idyllwild
• Using Toilet Paper When There's No Toilet
• Foot Care

Francis does a beautiful job describing the scenery she hikes and the interesting people she meets. It was enjoyable to travel with her during her resupply stops, during a rainstorm, or climbing a summit. It's much more upbeat and less introspective than Wild. It was interesting to learn about the culture that exists among thru-hikers and the way they enjoy Trail Magic and Trail Angels. And hitchhiking and food foraging...many common themes here from the other hiking books I've read. A good, solid read, especially when she hooks up with her Norwegian friend Knut...

Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery

My cousin Robin Kubler mentioned this book on Facebook, and when I read the reviews on Amazon, I decided it was worth a try. I'm so happy I did! This Grandma is incredible! And her story is very well told.  Ben Montgomery put great effort into trying to piece together her story, and it's very well-written. Grandma Gatewood had great challenges in her life, primarily because of an abusive husband. The story goes back and forth between her early life and her hike on the Appalachian Trail. It's so amazing to read about how determined she was and how tough!!! No good hiking equipment or shoes and yet, no excuses...just grit and walking day after day. I also enjoyed reading about how she stayed with farmers and others along the trail. It was a simpler time --the 1950's, and the trail was just being developed. Because of her "walk," it made news that enabled the trail supporters to gain funding and support to improve it. What an inspiring pioneer... There's also a children's version of this book that I bought and read to John and Henry. It's also very good and has beautiful illustrations.