MEGA '99: Adventures of an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker

by Jared Manninen

A graphic novel detailing the adventures of an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker.

Genres: Memoir

172 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

I'm an author and artist who lives at Lake Tahoe. I publish a hiking and cross-country skiing blog called Tahoe Trail Guide. In addition to information about Tahoe trails and backcountry travel, I write about Tahoe's local and natural history.

For more information, visit TahoeTrailGuide.com.

Reviews

[Lamadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf for a while, and I just haven't gotten around to reading it. Seeing as my week long hike that was supposed to be in the middle of this month is now indefinitely postponed, I've somehow been inspired to read this. I've wanted to hike the AT for a while, but I don't see how I could ever get enough time off to actually do it, so I like to read books about people who do.

This was a fun and entertaining memoir that gives a good sense of the feeling of the trail. I felt like I was meeting the people and dealing with the problems. It was essentially his journal reprinted, so you got to read about the beginning of the trail and the people he would meet without the benefit of hindsight. When it was written, he didn't know the end. He didn't know if he would finish and which other hikers would become friends. I wish there had been a little more detail of each day, but the short length made it easy to read.

The drawings were 'meh' and didn't really add anything to it. I might have preferred the photos he took.

[William Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a hiker and camper myself I loved this book. I also got the chance to chat with the author through text messages and that made the experience even more enjoyable. I obtained this book from the author's mother that I've met a couple of times and that I've read her book as well. I've watched videos about the AT and read some things about it. But to read first hand what somebody experienced really help put the trail into perspective. At times I felt I wanted to be on the trail there with him and other times I wanted others to just leave him alone. A lot of times my stomach hurt from the things he was eating. :) I recommend this book for anybody who hikes and camps like this.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mouse number two for Numbnut. This time it was a clean kill."

I know, right? Ew! This was a fun read and my first graphic novel. It's basically a guy's journaled impressions/ thoughts/ meanderings while hiking the Applalachian Trail. I loved the part where he went and saw Blair Witch during the hike, and freaked himself out. I'm completely impressed with people who can take personal hard core journies like this, diging deep to find their inner strengeth and meaning for their life. I wish I were this brave. Except for - the mice crawling into sleeping bags - EEEEEEKKK!