Hike Your Own Hike

Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America is about Francis Tapon's thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and what the adventure can teach you about life. You'll start in Maine and walk to Georgia, picking up seven lessons along the way. Each lesson is neatly woven into the fabric of the story. This true story combines the desire to reorient one's life with an exciting tale of adventure and a bit of humour. It's about 75% self-help and 25% trail narrative. It is not a book about how to backpack, but rather how to live. Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who: loves reading outdoor adventure books; has a good life, but wants to have an amazing one; wants to learn more about the Appalachian Trail; dislikes preachy self-help books, but doesn't mind getting some useful ideas presented in a light tone; is stuck in a rut and is looking for some inspiration to make important changes; likes to support starving writers. Unlike the typical self-help book, Hike Your Own Hike: provides an entertaining, flowing tale as a backdrop; draws all its lessons from the adventure of walking the entire Appalachian Trail; doesn't take itself so darn seriously!
Unlike the typical travelogue, Hike Your Own Hike: is not all about the author, it's about what YOU can get out of the story; delivers practical ideas that help you squeeze more out of life; recounts a challenging southbound thru-hike versus the typical northbound thru-hike (less than 10% hike southbound). The book has two colour maps, including an ultra-cool 3-panel foldout map of the Appalachian Trail! The AT will teach you the Seven Principles on how to get the most out of life: 1. Hike Your Own Hike. 2. Beware of Summit Fever. 3. Hike with Passion. 4. Learn from Trail Lore. 5. Eat Well, Walk Hard, and Sleep Soundly. 6. Perform Trail Magic. 7. The Hike is Too Important to Take Seriously. Each chapter in the book is devoted to each concept. Chapter One starts in Maine where Francis Tapon learned the First Principle. Chapter Seven ends in Georgia where he learned the Seventh Principle.