Stumbling Thru: Keepin' On Keepin' On

by A. Digger Stolz

After his big epiphany in Damascus, Bartleby resumes inching his way northward along the Appalachian Trail with a newfound determination. Despite struggling beneath the unresolved weight of his previous life and a too-heavy backpack, he still somehow manages to keep moving forward—step after step, mile after mile. Joining Bartleby on this journey is an ever-changing crew of oddballs and outsiders, the wandering men and women of the Appalachian Trail. With white blazes marking the way and little adventures around every corner, Bartleby & Company push through the Mid-Atlantic States and climb into the mountainous wilds of New England. Here concludes the story of a middle-aged man thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail against his will, against his better judgment and against all odds.

Genres: Outdoors, Nature, Fiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2013

About the author

Digger Stolz thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1999. In the fourteen years since, he's been trying to capture the magic of his hike on paper.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed when I learned that this book and part I (Stumblin Thru: Hike Your Own Hike) are actually fiction. That wasn't noted on the description on the back of the book, but is noted on the inside. Was almost through the first book when I discovered that. Nevertheless, I was already invested at that point, and really enjoyed the writing style and characters. And I liked that these books stuck primarily to the characters and their experiences. Some of the other AT books I've read get way too detailed in trail regulation politics, history and info on all the plant and tree types, etc. That stuff just doesn't really interest me. Overall, pretty enjoyable books!

[Ryan Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much better than the first book. Hike Your Own Hike (book one) got us introduced to the main group of characters. It had its issues, but told a good narrative. The continuation, picked up in Keepin' On Keepin' On, shows the maturity in writing style and clarity that was missing from several moments of the first book.
We see the core group, with a few add ons (whom still, despite a large cast of characters, still have different aspects and add to the story without weighing it down with the same archetypes) growing closer as a family as they gain ever closer to their shared goal of Mt. Katahdin. I was looking for a story about the AT that didn't just talk about history of states or monuments ala Bill Bryson, whom I love, but really made me feel like I was walking the trail. This story does that and more. You feel like you're marching miserably along with Bawdy. You want to help Bartelby find his answers. You want to go splash in the ponds with Sweet Jane the Greatest Dane. Digger Stolz gets you as close and intimate with the actual trail itself without actually marching to Katahdin yourself.

The epilogue was a very nice touch and actually got me teary-eyed, however I would have liked to learn more about a few other characters in their afterwards.

[CGDvanGeleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author actually did hike the AT once upon a time, but the story is entirely fictional, though based on his experiences.

This is the first book of a two-book series. It is an easy read, with many characters playing their part during the hike from Amicalola to Damascus, which is not even a 1/4 of the total distance. You not only get to know the characters as hikers and group members, but you also get a glimpse of their personal life off-trail and what it takes to hike the AT. It is definitely more about the people then the AT.

It's an entertaining story, hilarious at times, sometimes serious, descriptive. And a really nice change after reading "Wild" and "A Walk in the Woods".

I liked it enough to order the second book.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly engrossing and engaging narrative of not only AT hiking but hiking and backpacking in general. For serious outdoor enthusiasts, we have experienced the emotions and circumstances of these characters which elevates this book beyond the usual outdoor writings. You can actually "feel" yourself (have felt yourself) in the person of Bartleby, Coyote, Fancy Pants, et al. These are the personalities on and along the trail. In this instance it just happens to be the Appalachian Trail. Stolz has captured the essence of the hardships, the ups and downs, highs and lows, the satisfaction and rewards of the adventure.

[Robin Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I read both books in a little over a day. I admit to having read a walk in the woods by Bill Bryson...the book that "ruined everything"...and made me want to complete a thru-hike. Being that I live in Maine, I'm thinking I should hike Katahdin! Or maybe try a stint at being a trail angel.

[Erin Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. The characters are lively and people you would want to know. Bartleby, Bartleby, Bartleby you have traveled more than just the distance. I think Jane was your trail magic. I hope you figure out what you want out of life and never hid away into yourself.

[Dwayne Mchottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent!



This was an awesome ending to an adventure, great character development and story line, hope to see more from this author.

[DeAnn Kohlbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't miss out on this book. It'll change your life!!! Sad it's over.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great backpacking book about the difficulties of hiking with others and learning to work things out. Loved it

[L.W. Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book...the author seemed to understand that complete sentences are required most of the time. Again, thus is fiction based on reality, so i was pleased with the story. It still held that realistic element to it. I wish there was more about what bartleby finds out with his forced hike...how the family deals with his return, since that was the basis for the story to begin with.

[Alan Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't in love with part one of Stumbling Thru but I loved this book. I really debated spending the time to read this book after finishing the first but I am very glad I did. The first book sets the frame work of introducing the characters but in "Keepin on Keepin On" the character depth is really explored and you get to know their reasons for hiking the AT as well as the inner struggles. For a fiction novel this is one of the best AT books I have read.

[Mom2atornado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed book 1 and so was excited to dive into book 2. Book 2 was a fun read until I got to the end. It seemed like the end just kind of ended abruptly. I had hoped to get a little more about what happened with all the characters I had grown to love through both books but it seemed like they were all hiking, description of the hike through the White Mountains was a handful of pages and then boom, there was the end. I still enjoyed both books and would recommend them.

[kathy bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was actually back in a shelter!

Whether long distance hiking or reading a good book, we become attached to the cast of characters we struggle along with. And if the reader is really lucky and the writer does his job well, we will feel the blisters on our feet the ache in our back, the breeze on our face , the aching numbing cold and the wonderful wackiness of the cast of characters that are the heart and soul of the A.T. This is such a book.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this final fictional account of a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Great character development, plot twists and author captures real sense of journey. Is true to Trail life-- better than Bryson!

[Amber Stolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 2 was even better then volume 1! I absolutely loved it. The characters were quirky yet utterly believable, and I found myself really routing for them. I teared up a little along the way - which was surprising because it was a really funny story.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed this was fiction but otherwise it was a well observed account of thru-hiking. I skipped over the introspective bits - as I do with the non-fiction accounts. Volume 2 was definitely better than the first.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than most of the books on thru hiking.

I've read a lot of books on thru hikes but they all become boring. This fictional series was great because it followed multiple hikers and focused on their friendships. it was a very good read.

[Donna Pelletier · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. Not the best book I have read about hiking the AT but it had it's funny moments and interesting info...mostly of the "Do NOT do what we did." kind. I would have been interested to know more about his family reunion at the end of the hike.

[Jenny Pye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, such a great story. I will read both of these again!!

I read these books twice that's how good they are. I loved each person in the book, it was like I hiked with them. sun h a great writer..

[Jackie Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Craig Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still laughing!

Literally laughed until I cried. Really, then laughed some more. This has been a great book. I wish it was twice as long.

[James A. Keller Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great escape

I liked this book so much that read it twice. This is one of those reads that will be re-visited once a year!