Appalachian Trail Hiker: Trail-Proven Advice for Hikes of Any Length

by Victoria Steele Logue, Frank Logue

"The Appalachian Trail Hiker" is a one-stop guide to preparing for and hiking the A.T. Although primarily geared to prepare and sustain the intrepid thru hiker, the book is also a must-have for anyone who wishes to experience the A.T., whether for an hour or for six months.

Genres: Nonfiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Victoria Logue is a graduate of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. After graduation, Victoria worked as a writer for two daily newspapers in Georgia—the Warner Robins Daily Sun and The Rome News-Tribune. During that time, she garnered awards for her feature writing and personal columns from the Georgia Press Association and the Special Olympics. She and her husband, Frank, also spent two months in Kathmandu, Nepal, documenting daily life and customs.

In 1988, the Logues quit their jobs to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail. For six months they backpacked across the backbone of the eastern United States from Georgia to Maine. Upon returning home, the Logues wrote their first book, The Appalachian Trail Backpacker, which was published in 1991 by Menasha Ridge Press.

The Logues have appeared on CNN and numerous local TV and talk radio shows. The Logues were also guests on the Discovery Channel's series, “Go For It.” For more than two years, the Logues hosted a weekly online chat on long distance hiking for Backpacker magazine on America Online.

Victoria has served as the editor of the Old Dominion Sierran, The Brunswick News lifestyle section and Georgia's Coastal Illustrated. She was also a contributing editor for Outdoor Traveler, Mid-Atlantic Region.

Victoria continues working as an author and writer. She is a Tertiary in the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis, a certified labyrinth facilitator and is involved in promoting spirituality through leading retreats.

Her most recent non-fiction work is Feast of Feasts, an Advent through Epiphany devotional cowritten with her husband based on Franciscan values. She has also written four novels based in the fantasy-world of the Thirteen Kingdoms.

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book on long distance hiking, with helpful and detailed advice. Mostly focused on the Appalachian Trail, but that makes sense when you see the title of the book. :-) All advice can be applied to other hikes as well. I found it easy to read and instructive. Some parts are a bit dated (Maps on CD-roms? Hehe). Great for beginners and people interested in long distance hikes.

[Jessica Fellows · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with realistic advice and info about the trail without being a book of just lists.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a wanna be for a decade.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of good information and advice about taking any long hike, not just the Appalachian Trail. It was not, however, what I was looking for when I picked it up. I was looking for more specific information. I guess I was expecting a trail guide, which this is not. This book is full of advice about equipment, what to bring and what not to bring. Advice on tents, sleeping bags, boots, socks and trail etiquette. All in all a good read, just not what I was looking for. I am still giving 5 stars because I cannot fault the book or the author for not being the trail guide I was expecting. This book was not intended as a trail guide, but for what the author intended the book to be, it does admirably.

[Brigette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if there's a newer edition (the one I read was published in 2004) but it has a lot of very good information on everything from what you'll need to types of materials for equipment and when to go. If you can, read something more updated as well because technology and the trail change every year. The only complaint I have is that it could be rather repetitive, sometimes rewording and restating the same thing just a few sentences later.

[Naturegirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very informative book for anyone planning to hike the trail, but it seemed a bit "beginner" to me compared to other guides I've read. First aid, food, etc were talked about in very broad, general terms. I think it could be helpful, but there are so many other guides out there with more specifics that would be better.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this three stars because most of it is a how to backpack, camp, etc. I know how to do that and I figure someone considering the trail does too. I thought it would be more in depth about different sections of the trail.

[Emily Waterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely for beginners! I've only been on a few trips and I knew most of the information in this book. However, the meal ideas were good as was the chapter on emergencies and first aid.