Live Free and Hike: Finding Grace on 48 Summits - A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery Atop New Hampshire's White Mountains

by Linda Kulig Magoon

Newly liberated after ending her toxic 25-year marriage to a controlling husband, Linda Magoon gradually regained her independence and rediscovered her love of hiking in the White Mountains. She set a goal to climb all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot and higher peaks. With every upward stride, Magoon cautiously rebuilt her life. But less than a year later, after shocking allegations and a surprise arrest of her ex-husband on charges of child molestation, Magoon found herself in a downward spiral as she processed the guilt, shame, and sadness of being married to someone so infamous. By climbing each challenging summit, Magoon found the internal strength needed to overcome the paralyzing uncertainty surrounding the worst period of her life. Neither age, lack of experience, nor unforeseen life events would stop her from attempting her goal. Follow Linda’s inspirational journey and Live Free and Hike is a candid and humorous story of a woman’s transition from a place of pain and anger to one of healing, resilience, and grace—one mountain summit at a time. Grab your copy of Linda Magoon’s transformative memoir today!

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2023

About the author

Linda Magoon is an author, environmentalist, and outdoor enthusiast. She reconnected with her love of hiking after ending a difficult marriage. Shortly thereafter, at the age of 55, she set out to climb all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks. With the help of a therapist, a life coach, and the highest summits in the White Mountains, Magoon regained her independence and found her voice. Now she writes and empowers others on the mental and physical health benefits of the outdoors.

Magoon earned her degree in Forestry from the University of Idaho before moving to New Hampshire, where she spent over two decades as an environmentalist. She currently works with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in compliance and enforcement, protecting the state’s natural resources.

Live Free and Hike: Finding Grace, Healing, and Self-Discovery Atop New Hampshire’s 48 White Mountain Summits is Magoon’s first book. Her essays on the outdoors have been published in Mountain Passages, The Merrimack Valley Voice, and in Smoky Quartz, New Hampshire’s state literary magazine. She is a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, the AMC’s 4000-Footer Club of the White Mountains, and the NH Writers’ Project. She also is a founding member of the bluegrass band, Bow Junction.

Growing up in rural Massachusetts, Magoon developed an appreciation for nature from her parents. Her father taught her to hunt and fish while her mother encouraged her to play outdoors for hours. Today, Magoon is an avid writer who spends her free time hiking, kayaking, and skiing. Learn more and sign up for her newsletter at LindaMagoon.com.

Reviews

[Eric M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I’ve known Linda for many years; we are coworkers. However, I did not know about her hiking adventures or what she was going through in her private life.
I applaud her tenacity to process the challenges in front of her and make it through.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was hard for me to fully enjoy the book as it was hard for me to figure out if the author was truly proud of her accomplishments in both her personal life of her hiking or if this was more of a book to let out all her emotions. It Felipe it went all over the place for any topic - hiking, her divorce, selling the house, her ex-husband’s arrest… a the hiking had the same feeling. I was hoping to read more about her adventures in the woods and on the mountains but not in this book. It’s one for readers who have been through many of the same problems the author has experienced but it won’t be a happy ride.

[Alison Starnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Kulig Magoon decided to hike all the White Mountains in New Hampshire, which consist of 48 peaks of over 4,000 feet with a required level of elevation.

This would be a significant challenge anyway, but Linda also had personal issues to overcome. She had finally left and divorced her controlling husband and, with the help of a therapist and a life coach, was learning to put her needs first. Unable to hike properly whilst married, this was now an opportunity to do something for herself and not worry about her ex-husband's reaction.

Part way through hiking the 48, Linda learned that her ex-husband had been arrested on serious allegations of sexual assault. He went to trial and Linda found it hard to separate herself from the situation whilst negotiating the sale of her former marital home and then the pain of a close family bereavement.

Eventually, the trial process concluded and Linda was able to complete her goal of hiking all 48 peaks.

Linda has been incredibly honest about the process she went through, the tears shed and the lessons learned. What also stands out is her determination and focus, despite everything that was thrown at her.

I enjoyed reading Linda's account of her hiking challenge and felt tremendous empathy for her. She has clearly come through a lot and it is to her credit that she wants to share her journey in the hope that it might help other women in a similar situation.

I received a review copy of this book for free via Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this as a must read, especially if you are struggling with post divorce thoughts that just won't leave your head. I have learned a lot from reading about how Linda processed through her journey. It was refreshing to know that others have had the same thoughts and doubts as I have/had. Hiking most definitely has helped me put things in perspective and get out of my head. Thank you Linda for writing such an insightful piece.

[Alycia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

I won this ebook as a goodreads giveaway and all opinions are my own.
I love hiking, that is the main reason I wanted to read this book. This book is so much more than that! It's about life lessons, pushing yourself in more ways than one and having confidence to do things!

[Dee]

Lots of heavy stuff in this one. I’m so glad Linda found the mountains to help her make it through it all.