What do you think?
Rate this book
This Is Gonna Hurt: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail in a Calendar Year
This is Gonna Hurt is the embodiment of unrelenting pursuit of a singular goal, no matter how much pain, adversity, or hardship stood in the way. When Brandon set out to hike over 7,000 miles in a year, he knew it was an absurd and improbable goal; he knew he would be alone nearly the whole time; and he knew there would be a lot of pain and struggle. But he also knew that it would be more rewarding than he could ever imagine, more beautiful than he could dream of, and when he did meet people, they would always be memorable characters. He also knew that he would do it. He was going to get there or die trying. While this mindset may not be the most healthy, he believed it was necessary to achieve something truly great. More people had walked on the moon than had completed the Calendar Year Triple Crown. The obsession to hike the three triple crown trails in a year after having never hiked a long-distance trail before might have been a little crazy, but how many unbelievable accomplishments have happened because someone was completely sane?
437 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2023
125 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 16, 2025
This was a good story of the human spirit and perseverance. “Horsepower” tells his adventurous story of pushing through many challenges to achieve his endurance hiking goal. You are able to live through the adventure with him, but, like his hikes, the reading got a bit long.
September 19, 2024
Not the best writing... but i loved learning about the thru hike state of mind and all the encompassing "things."
"Are you tired? .... What a stupid fucking question." -- I love the genuine honesty!!
"Are you tired? .... What a stupid fucking question." -- I love the genuine honesty!!
January 26, 2025
"Horsepower" sets out on a personal odyssey - hiking the Triple Crown (AT, PCT & CDT) all in one 365 day period. Facing challenges of weather, terrain, unavoidable details, injuries and more, he sets his focus forward one day at a time to making his miles. Mostly undeterred by the social distractions of the trail, Horsepower shares the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of this journey - where he succeeds and where he stumbles.
I love these types of hiking memoirs, as they present how we can set our minds toward things that seem unattainable and reach them one day at a time. Brandon's story is a longer tombe than most trail memoirs, and he does a good job of not being too specific. This book could have easily expanded and lost the interest of the reader. He's a 24 year old male, so physically he's in peak form and additionally trained to up his physical abilities. He faced many stiff roadblocks along the trail and there is no doubt that this training assisted him in battling through snow drifts and brush along with pushing for the long miles. He shows his humanity through the anger and frustration of mistakes. The end of the story is a bit of a surprise (I won't spoil it), but a testament to the hiker motto, "Hike Your Own Hike." You know when and where to start, and you decide when it's time to finish.
Well done, Brandon!
I love these types of hiking memoirs, as they present how we can set our minds toward things that seem unattainable and reach them one day at a time. Brandon's story is a longer tombe than most trail memoirs, and he does a good job of not being too specific. This book could have easily expanded and lost the interest of the reader. He's a 24 year old male, so physically he's in peak form and additionally trained to up his physical abilities. He faced many stiff roadblocks along the trail and there is no doubt that this training assisted him in battling through snow drifts and brush along with pushing for the long miles. He shows his humanity through the anger and frustration of mistakes. The end of the story is a bit of a surprise (I won't spoil it), but a testament to the hiker motto, "Hike Your Own Hike." You know when and where to start, and you decide when it's time to finish.
Well done, Brandon!
Read
November 20, 2025DNF….kind of long and wordy. I did enjoy some of the details and wanted to hear about all 3 hikes. But, not enough to hang in there for the whole thing.
May 8, 2024
"Everything hurts. My feet feel like I should be taking Vicodin as vitamins. My back feels like I need OxyContin for breakfast. I’m eternally tired. I can’t think of the last time I felt comfortable. I’m perpetually mentally exhausted. But — I’m going to see how far I can go, and I’m going to enjoy it while I can."
Brandon Weis, though he has never thru-hiked before concocts a plan to begin his thru-hiking career with not one long trail, but all three long trails—AT, CDT, and PCT—in one year, called the "calendar year triple crown" (which, by the way, only a handful of people have ever accomplished). The above quote is a good summary of his year. It is a sufferfest pretty much from start to finish.
He begins by hiking the AT in winter, or at least as much as he can before the snow and frigid weather stops him. Impressively, he gets all the way to Vermont from January to March 2021. Some helpful section hikers place his shoes next to a fire on the AT to dry them out and promptly burn holes in them. He ends up hiking for quite awhile with shoes with holes...in the snow. A couple of days later a ravenous mouse chews three holes in his sleeping bag trying to get to his feet which have some kind of lotion on them which the mouse apparently felt was edible.
Next he skips to the New Mexico portion of the CDT, expecting it to be easy desert hiking, only to get hit by a snow storm his first day on the trail. Then he heads to the PCT which he knocks off in three months despite a plague of mosquitoes and two weeks of 100+ days in Oregon and Washington. He then heads over to the CDT southbound, knocking off the CDT by late September.
He then heads back to the AT and finishes that off by late October. By now he's decided that he will do the Arizona Trail as a sort of bonus to the Calendar Year Triple Crown. Which he does, finishing by late November.
As you might imagine, when someone hikes more than 8,000 miles in a year, it is gonna hurt, and Mr. Weis does hurt. He notes: "It’s easy to thrive when things are going well, and you’ve got the wind at your back. When you’re sick, aching, disoriented, hungry but can’t eat, tired but can’t sleep, and it just hurts to exist, that’s when you truly test yourself on a thru-hike."
One of the interesting things about the book is that Mr. Weis becomes quite a connoisseur of sleeping in pit toilets during his year, so much so, that by the Arizona Trail he is commenting on the unusual (smaller) size of the pit toilet and how he was still able to sleep well in it. Hmm...
Definitely the interesting parts of the book are the sufferfests of both physical and mental anguish which he has repeatedly through the year. Needless to say at the speed he has to go to accomplish his goal, he can't spend much time getting to know other hikers (though he does end up hiking almost 1000 miles with a guy on the PCT, who ironically enough becomes one of his best friends), so what you get here is a lot of suffering, and he suffers a lot!
What does a guy do after hiking 8000+ miles in a year, the author's note says that he followed that up with another 4500 miles of hiking in 2022. There is a reason his trail name is "Horsepower."
I enjoyed reading this book.
Brandon Weis, though he has never thru-hiked before concocts a plan to begin his thru-hiking career with not one long trail, but all three long trails—AT, CDT, and PCT—in one year, called the "calendar year triple crown" (which, by the way, only a handful of people have ever accomplished). The above quote is a good summary of his year. It is a sufferfest pretty much from start to finish.
He begins by hiking the AT in winter, or at least as much as he can before the snow and frigid weather stops him. Impressively, he gets all the way to Vermont from January to March 2021. Some helpful section hikers place his shoes next to a fire on the AT to dry them out and promptly burn holes in them. He ends up hiking for quite awhile with shoes with holes...in the snow. A couple of days later a ravenous mouse chews three holes in his sleeping bag trying to get to his feet which have some kind of lotion on them which the mouse apparently felt was edible.
Next he skips to the New Mexico portion of the CDT, expecting it to be easy desert hiking, only to get hit by a snow storm his first day on the trail. Then he heads to the PCT which he knocks off in three months despite a plague of mosquitoes and two weeks of 100+ days in Oregon and Washington. He then heads over to the CDT southbound, knocking off the CDT by late September.
He then heads back to the AT and finishes that off by late October. By now he's decided that he will do the Arizona Trail as a sort of bonus to the Calendar Year Triple Crown. Which he does, finishing by late November.
As you might imagine, when someone hikes more than 8,000 miles in a year, it is gonna hurt, and Mr. Weis does hurt. He notes: "It’s easy to thrive when things are going well, and you’ve got the wind at your back. When you’re sick, aching, disoriented, hungry but can’t eat, tired but can’t sleep, and it just hurts to exist, that’s when you truly test yourself on a thru-hike."
One of the interesting things about the book is that Mr. Weis becomes quite a connoisseur of sleeping in pit toilets during his year, so much so, that by the Arizona Trail he is commenting on the unusual (smaller) size of the pit toilet and how he was still able to sleep well in it. Hmm...
Definitely the interesting parts of the book are the sufferfests of both physical and mental anguish which he has repeatedly through the year. Needless to say at the speed he has to go to accomplish his goal, he can't spend much time getting to know other hikers (though he does end up hiking almost 1000 miles with a guy on the PCT, who ironically enough becomes one of his best friends), so what you get here is a lot of suffering, and he suffers a lot!
What does a guy do after hiking 8000+ miles in a year, the author's note says that he followed that up with another 4500 miles of hiking in 2022. There is a reason his trail name is "Horsepower."
I enjoyed reading this book.
December 28, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I met Horsepower on the final days of my PCT hike and when I found out about his goal, I never doubted the guy.
When you see someone with so much dirt caked on their legs that they can comfortably walk thru the poison oak that you’re trying to dance around, you know they’re hardcore.
One of my favorite parts of the book was getting to see how the second half of the PCT unraveled when he hiked with Hammer Grease, who is one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. As expected, these two are out of control.
I laughed so many times while reading this. I also fell asleep after reading it, only to find myself planning the logistics of a CDT or AZT thru hike all night. Consider me inspired.
All that is to say, you should read this book! 🐎
/// berk
When you see someone with so much dirt caked on their legs that they can comfortably walk thru the poison oak that you’re trying to dance around, you know they’re hardcore.
One of my favorite parts of the book was getting to see how the second half of the PCT unraveled when he hiked with Hammer Grease, who is one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. As expected, these two are out of control.
I laughed so many times while reading this. I also fell asleep after reading it, only to find myself planning the logistics of a CDT or AZT thru hike all night. Consider me inspired.
All that is to say, you should read this book! 🐎
/// berk
January 24, 2025
There are unnumbered books that document the suffering and struggle of attempting something as difficult as the Calendar Year Triple Crown. Brandon Weis does a nice job telling his story and we get a feel for the terrain, weather and people he encounters along the way but I never felt that I got to know him that well. He tells of pain and exhaustion, dehydration and hunger, his drive and determination, but I never felt like he gave us insight into the person he was, going into his year-long hike, or how it changed him. Disappointing that he didn’t think that part of his story was worth telling…or perhaps there was no story there.
April 17, 2024
I found it difficult to get lost in the authors' writing style. It is an extraordinary achievement but somehow I couldn't read more than 20 pages at a time before having to set it down.
I love thru hiking memoirs but didn't care for this one.
I love thru hiking memoirs but didn't care for this one.
January 13, 2025
I likes the book because it is an adventure book. I like adventure stories.
But.... the book had some short comings. It seemed like an author's first attempt at writing a book which I assume this book was his first attempt. And it was evident that the author was young and lacked perspective and experience. His attempt at revealing wisdom learned on the trail fell flat. He did not seem to be able to describe the scenery well. He he did not seem to be a real outdoor love or knowledgeable of wildlife, plants, geography, etc. The final negative comment was the lack of verity in the adventure telling. I wonder if he could have done some research on the history of the areas he hiked thru, or the geography, or other descriptions of the areas he was in could have made the book better. Or maybe a little background of his decision to hike the trails and the planning that went into the hike. Or even some details of the equipment or food he used and ate. Or insight into what happens to the human body when put through such stresses as he experienced. (see Moby Dick and Hunch Back of Notre Dame for examples).
I felt like finishing the adventure reading as much as the author wanted to finish the hiking. The use of words ending in "ly" was over done, some of which may not be in Websters Dictionary.
I think the editor should have extended the deadline for submitting the book. The finished product seemed rushed and lacked polish.
But.... the book had some short comings. It seemed like an author's first attempt at writing a book which I assume this book was his first attempt. And it was evident that the author was young and lacked perspective and experience. His attempt at revealing wisdom learned on the trail fell flat. He did not seem to be able to describe the scenery well. He he did not seem to be a real outdoor love or knowledgeable of wildlife, plants, geography, etc. The final negative comment was the lack of verity in the adventure telling. I wonder if he could have done some research on the history of the areas he hiked thru, or the geography, or other descriptions of the areas he was in could have made the book better. Or maybe a little background of his decision to hike the trails and the planning that went into the hike. Or even some details of the equipment or food he used and ate. Or insight into what happens to the human body when put through such stresses as he experienced. (see Moby Dick and Hunch Back of Notre Dame for examples).
I felt like finishing the adventure reading as much as the author wanted to finish the hiking. The use of words ending in "ly" was over done, some of which may not be in Websters Dictionary.
I think the editor should have extended the deadline for submitting the book. The finished product seemed rushed and lacked polish.
December 11, 2023
If you’re looking for a book that’s hard to put down then look no further. “This is gonna hurt” will make you wonder just how far you really can push the human body. The book does a good job of adding humor, along with the hardships Brandon experienced throughout his endeavor. Brandon “Horsepower” Weis wanted to reach this limit and paired this desire with a passion of his. He set out on a journey to come The Triple Crown of hiking with no previous thru hiking experience. In this book “Horsepower” will take you along as he sets out to complete his year long goal.
This book reminds me of David Goggins well known book “Can’t Hurt Me”. Brandon “Horsepower” Weis = David Goggins Jr.?
This book reminds me of David Goggins well known book “Can’t Hurt Me”. Brandon “Horsepower” Weis = David Goggins Jr.?
December 3, 2023
I read a beta version of this book, for clarification, and it was a genuinely interesting and engaging read. You don't need to know anything about thru-hiking to start this book (I certainly didn't) because you'll learn and experience the insane, inspiring journey right alongside the author. This book is definitely worth the read, and I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a vivid account of life's most beautiful moments, most trying moments, and everything in between when left to your own devices and the occasional yet potent grace of a stranger's kindness.
August 7, 2024
Adventure at its Finest
This is a compelling story of triumph, ecstasy, good times, great sunsets, heartbreak, and life changing challenges.
There's also the occasional casual eating accomplishment and testimony to a person's ability to suffer.
I read this to understand what its like to walk the Appalachian Trail. I got that story and more. I'm glad i read this story and i think you'll be glad to read it too.
One day i myself may try to eat 6 double cheeseburgers and 2 large fries while hiking the AT and drinking insane amounts of Dr Pepper.
This is a compelling story of triumph, ecstasy, good times, great sunsets, heartbreak, and life changing challenges.
There's also the occasional casual eating accomplishment and testimony to a person's ability to suffer.
I read this to understand what its like to walk the Appalachian Trail. I got that story and more. I'm glad i read this story and i think you'll be glad to read it too.
One day i myself may try to eat 6 double cheeseburgers and 2 large fries while hiking the AT and drinking insane amounts of Dr Pepper.
November 30, 2024
This isn’t the best written book. In fact, there are much better hiking memoirs out there, but this one is special in the pure audacity of the author’s goal to hike the triple crown in a calendar year; the AT, CDT, and the PCT. Having never accomplished anything as remotely insane as this, I marveled at the achievement. I also enjoyed the author being from Ohio and sharing my love for the Buckeyes. Not everyone will enjoy this, but if you are like me and enjoy reading about thru hiking adventures, you will probably like this one.
January 27, 2025
I can’t believe I actually finished this book in under a week because it seemed to really drag out. I loved the idea of reading about a thru hiking experience from the dream, the motivation, the planning and then executing, but I struggled with the storytelling writing style. It was pretty much all over the place, thoughts jumping around, some parts very repetitive, other parts seemed contradicting, and others were not really necessary for the story… in areas it felt as if he was filling space on the page.
September 18, 2025
A narrative, not a guide book
The story of Brandon's journey to the Triple Crown was fun to read. His commitment to finish and even go beyond was hard to believe, especially with the physical toll that the trail took on his body. I loved his ability to laugh at disappointment and setback.
If you're looking for a guide book to the trails, this isn't it. It's his story, well told and very readable, of his first time attempt at a Triple Crown thru hike. Enjoy. It's going to hurt.
The story of Brandon's journey to the Triple Crown was fun to read. His commitment to finish and even go beyond was hard to believe, especially with the physical toll that the trail took on his body. I loved his ability to laugh at disappointment and setback.
If you're looking for a guide book to the trails, this isn't it. It's his story, well told and very readable, of his first time attempt at a Triple Crown thru hike. Enjoy. It's going to hurt.
July 6, 2025
As a day-hiker, this book was so inspiring! Most people have no idea what thru-hiking truly means. Brandon is a true inspiration and I'll remember his words on my next day hike: "The trail provides!" and, "Happiness most real when shared!" and lastly, "There are no shadows in the storm." Thanks for the journey. Congratulations on hiking 8,292 miles in 2021 -- you are in an elite class: Calendar Year Triple Crown hiker.
July 15, 2025
I’ve read several books about thru hikers and section hikers, but no others that have a tale of such fierce determination to finish a goal as ambitious as the triple crown in one calendar year. The book gets three stars just for the author’s amazing accomplishment.
So why leave it at three stars? I finished the book though there were several times I didn’t want to. The writing is okay, but repetitive. How many times can you read what he ate a McDonalds or how angry he got about, well, so many things. There are few stories about people. It’s a log of what happened on these incredible hikes, but devoid of any soul.
I wanted to like the book, but the only thing I found to like was the accomplishment itself.
So why leave it at three stars? I finished the book though there were several times I didn’t want to. The writing is okay, but repetitive. How many times can you read what he ate a McDonalds or how angry he got about, well, so many things. There are few stories about people. It’s a log of what happened on these incredible hikes, but devoid of any soul.
I wanted to like the book, but the only thing I found to like was the accomplishment itself.
July 25, 2025
OUCH!
I admire the drive, tenacity, perseverance, and sheer incredible nature of such a feat.
Am I inspired to do my own thru hike? Hell, no.
But I can admire those who complete it and take us along on the journey.
Met the author in person at a library event. The pictures from his journey are incredible. They give you a glimpse into the pain and suffering that he endured without being graphic ... no feet pics.
Thank you for sharing your story.
I admire the drive, tenacity, perseverance, and sheer incredible nature of such a feat.
Am I inspired to do my own thru hike? Hell, no.
But I can admire those who complete it and take us along on the journey.
Met the author in person at a library event. The pictures from his journey are incredible. They give you a glimpse into the pain and suffering that he endured without being graphic ... no feet pics.
Thank you for sharing your story.
October 16, 2025
so tired!
I am too tired of reading this book that I can’t write a review! I can now say I am finished reading anymore hiking books. My son is finished hiking and so am I! The difference with this book is that he had 3 thru hikes to complete so the book was fast paced! Ha! No dwelling on day to day stuff, need to get 40 miles done in a day, through snow, rain, wind and scorching heat in the desert. Not for the faint of heart or body or mind.
I am too tired of reading this book that I can’t write a review! I can now say I am finished reading anymore hiking books. My son is finished hiking and so am I! The difference with this book is that he had 3 thru hikes to complete so the book was fast paced! Ha! No dwelling on day to day stuff, need to get 40 miles done in a day, through snow, rain, wind and scorching heat in the desert. Not for the faint of heart or body or mind.
September 8, 2024
A standout in hiking memoirs
I really didn’t think I needed to read one more thru hiking book but this one was exceptional in suspense, humor, and descriptions. Much like Brandon’s desire to log miles, I wanted to push through to see what laid ahead in his journey.
I really didn’t think I needed to read one more thru hiking book but this one was exceptional in suspense, humor, and descriptions. Much like Brandon’s desire to log miles, I wanted to push through to see what laid ahead in his journey.
October 16, 2024
couldn’t put it down!
Wow! I’d love to meet this guy, his willpower, resilience, bravery, physical & mental strength to hike nearly 10,000 miles in a year is either crazy or admirable ! Great story, hope he writes more. I’ll read it!
Wow! I’d love to meet this guy, his willpower, resilience, bravery, physical & mental strength to hike nearly 10,000 miles in a year is either crazy or admirable ! Great story, hope he writes more. I’ll read it!
December 10, 2024
Very good
This was a very good read. Great insight into hiking. I think the book would have been so much better with photos of the beautiful places he saw and some of himself. Definitely a good book to help you relax for bed
This was a very good read. Great insight into hiking. I think the book would have been so much better with photos of the beautiful places he saw and some of himself. Definitely a good book to help you relax for bed
July 3, 2025
It doesn’t hurt to read about it.
I enjoyed this book. It kept me interested. I have been backpacking for 50 years but never anything like this. It was fun to follow along on Brandon’s adventure.
I enjoyed this book. It kept me interested. I have been backpacking for 50 years but never anything like this. It was fun to follow along on Brandon’s adventure.
November 15, 2023
I wrote this book, so I don't think it's half bad
November 24, 2024
a good interesting read
Keep my attention to see what would happen next. Easy to read and interesting enough to want to keep reading to see how it ended
Keep my attention to see what would happen next. Easy to read and interesting enough to want to keep reading to see how it ended
March 10, 2025
Fascinating book about a man who walked 8292 miles in one year and the places he traveled and the strain it can put on one person's body. To achieve this goal was amazing.
March 31, 2025
I loved this book!! Very hard to put down
July 12, 2025
Good book but he gives a better presentation if you get a chance to hear him speak.
July 20, 2025
I could relate to the book from the hiking I’ve done. It was quite journal like so easy to pick up and put down. Inspiring and real
July 29, 2025
captivating read!
Such an amazing accomplishment that is well-documented and made for enjoyment of the reader. Loved reading about this incredible journey!
Such an amazing accomplishment that is well-documented and made for enjoyment of the reader. Loved reading about this incredible journey!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews