This April, we will be heading out to hike the 2,185 mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. You can tell that she was very accustomed to being close to other people, part of a very social world. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. He basically took over Mass' hike, and made her miserable. Born in Ipswich, Mass. Please try again. Our CFC number: 12230. Go out and see how you feel after hiking for a couple of weeks before you decide that you want to walk for 5-7 months in a row. It extends over 2,000 miles through … She hikes it alone and with community she meets as she goes,mostly men. My job has always been to keep the home fires burning, to pay the bills  and to tend to the dogs while Mel has gone off on his adventures (including a 3 month, cross-country bike trip in 2013). The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Disclaimer. I found this book very inspiring in that the author took on a major hike at 60 and alone. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. What I found frustrating is that she had ample financial and family reserves to be able to get off the trail, stay at bed an breakfasts, have gourmet meals and chauffeur service before returning to her hike.With that in mind, some of her complaints, dare I say whining, frustrated and irritated me. This is an inspiring story about a woman's personal quest while hiking the Appalachian Trail at age 60. Open for medical needs Monday - Friday, 8:30 to 5:00. Her biggest lesson from the trail was to trust in herself, rather than going along with someone else who forced her into the role of "follower". I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Her hike is one shared often with family meeting up for a few days. Hiking the Appalachian Trail will cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000, not including gear or transportation to and from the trail. A good friend is getting ready to hike this trail so I thought it'd be fun to read about it from the perspective of woman who had done it. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. I expect that the spider, as well as the caterpillar, were not dead when I first put on my shoe in the morning. How long is the trail? At the age of 59 she began to train for a grueling journey ? Preparing For The Appalachian Trail But it was on the 2½-year, 82,000-mile RV road trip with his wife, Laura, as they visited all 60 national parks, that Jolly first thought of taking on the Appalachian Trail. Good luck and have fun! 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 Mount Katahdin in Maine. Our Tax ID number: 526046689. Leslie Mass hiked the Appalachian Trail at 60. In the process she finds new and emotionally surprising ways to reconnect with her family as well as herself. But, if these people can do it, you can too with the right preparation and determination. My husband has already accomplished this twice, but it will be my first time. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. The information provided here is subject to change and is beyond the control of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. I am glad that age doesn’t seem to stop you. Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018. An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning. In Beauty May She Walk: Hiking The Appalachian Trail At 60 is the personal story of sixty-year- -old Leslie Mass and her grueling 2,000-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail. 40 Years Hiking the Appalachian Trail 40 Years Hiking the Appalachian Trail The 40th anniversary of the Trails Act is a perfect time for hikers to get out and explore. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, Hiking & Camping Excursion Guides (Books), © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As the terrain toughened, Leslie struggles to physically keep up with the trail community she socially depended upon to keep her going on her trek. We women know that we have to juggle nearly every day, so her final understanding is something we can all embrace. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. Overall, the book was well-written, poetic, descriptive, inspirational...and I especially enjoyed reading about a woman just several years older than myself learning to conquer her fears and become one with nature on this huge AT thru-hike undertaking. Only about 25% of the people who start a thru-hike manage to complete it. As the terrain toughened, Leslie struggles to physically keep up with the trail community she socially depended upon to keep her going on her trek. So he set out by … By the time we start hiking in April, I will be 68 years old and Mel will be 61. Since childhood, Mass had been told to speak softly and accomodate herself to others. I enjoyed a paperback copy of this book several years ago. If you’ve spent less than about 60 nights camping under the stars, we’d highly recommend hiking a section or two of the AT first before committing to a thru-hike. - Heather Anderson The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs 2,189 (in 2015) miles from Georgia to Maine. Since childhood, Mass had been told to speak softly and accomodate herself to others. , 19 Things 2021 Appalachian Trail Hikers Need to Know, 5 Books You Need to Read to Better Appreciate the Outdoors, Now You Can Own an Authentic Baxter State Park Trail Sign, [Book Review] 2000 Miles Together — The Raw, Unexpurgated Story of the Crawford Family, Accessing the Appalachian Trail: A List of Shuttles and Taxi Services, Gear Suggestions for an Appalachian Trail Winter Thru-Hike, How to Manage Hygiene on the Appalachian Trail, ATC Urges 2021 Hikers to Take Precautions, Consider Alternatives, Can Thru-Hiking Bring Peace? I enjoyed her recounting her friendships, successes and struggles. I have enjoyed your articles and look forward to following your blog as you hike the AT. With a capacity of 60 liters, this back weights only 2.2 pounds, which is definitely the most lightweight pack on our list. My husband’s trail name is Backfire. It is approximately 2,184 miles long and is famous for its many hikers and backpackers, some of whom, called thru-hikers, attempt to hike it in its entirety in a single season. Please try again. While I don't diminish her accomplishment, age, level of fitness and all, I think she might have missed the point someone else who did this without the luxuries and funds would have understood. I am also starting in 2026 at age 61. In April, my husband, Mel and I will be heading down to Springer Mountain, Georgia, to begin our 2,185 mile hike of the Appalachian Trail. "The trail has a way of answering the questions you most need answered, even if you are afraid to ask." Only about 25% of thru-hikers and 20% of section hikers end up completing the trail according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.” 2. This turned out to be a really good read. In 2000, inspired by her father, Leslie Mass decided she would turn a lifelong fantasy into reality. I got it originally as I was interested in the problems faced by the older hiker. However, at times she seemed a bit judgey and preachy, such as when she ran into a group of teen campers and their leaders and lectured them about leave no trace, instead of just being happy that young people were being exposed to the great outdoors. Conclusion. Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2014. Creepy. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a continuously marked footpath in the Appalachian Mountains that spans 14 states in the eastern U.S. Its northern terminus is Mt. Appalachian Trail Costs & Permits. A 'fun & informative' read, with a quick pace. Tags: Appalachian Trail and Hiking Our advice? ... and correspondent for 60 Minutes. Dog lovers might get some negative vibes: Mass obviously HATES dogs! It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Because of our previous hikes, we already have our trail names. 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