Switching Gears: Rediscovering the Meaning of Life, Love, and Happiness While Backpacking Vermont’s Long Trail

by Martin Armitage, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

★★★★★ "I love how Martin shows us not to get caught up in the stress and tension of goas and deadlines!" - Reader Review
_____


Martin Armitage never guessed that it would forever change the way he looked at his life when he decided to hike the entire 273 mile length of The Long Trail, stretching from the Canadian border in the north all the way to the southern end of the state of Vermont.


Just a few short days into the walk, and forced to call a halt as an injury prevented him from continuing, he was filled with anger and a sense of failure and frustration.


But what seemed like a flop on the surface was soon transformed into something else, as Martin came to recognize his own overconfidence and arrogance had played a significant part in his failure and galvanized himself to return to the trail with a very different attitude.


In his book, Switching Gears, Martin tells the story of how a sudden epiphany he experienced about Mother Nature led to a new respect for the great outdoors and how that change helped him to rediscover the meaning of his own life and what was really important in it.


He came to understand that, whether in life or hiking a trail, enjoying the journey is the most important part of it and not the final destination.

It is this understanding and practical life lessons that Martin now wants to share with everybody, helping people reduce unnecessary stress and live better, happier lives!

Genres: Outdoors, Nature

Audible Audio

Published July 16, 2025

Reviews

[Jesse Halifax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story by Martin Armitage is the best one about backpacking in Vermont.

[Luna Oberlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun backpacking read.

[Mark Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A must-read for those of us who love the trail. If you haven't been backpacking on the long trail before, you'll want to after reading this book. Between his podcast and now his book, Martin Armitages stories are both inspirational and motivational.

[Henry Hogfish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book about backpacking in Vermont, it is awesome.

[Jane Thornkirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Switching Gears is a 10/10 for any outdoors lovers and Vermont fans

[Brian Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Armitage has created a fresh and humorous spin on thru-hiking and long trails which is just as interested in the oft overlooked town stays and friendly rides as it is in the time spent on the Trail. A unique take on hiking that truly has its own place in the hiking canon.

[Gina Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Armitage delivers with his first and fun read on backpacking adventures and misadventures and lessons learned on the Vermont long trail

[Wendy Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armitage's book, Switching Gears, is so much more than a story about hiking. This is a book about discovering what matters most in life and the people we meet along the way. You will not be disappointed!

[Caroline Mihalovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the honest, breezy, and personal tone of this totally enjoyable book. If you plan to hike or have hiked Vermont's Long Trail, you must read Switching Gears. I felt I was on the trail with the author and I didn't want the journey on the trail to end.

[Hilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, heartwarming and inspiring! Switching Gears is just the type of book to remind you that no matter what we attempt in life, meaning is derived from the little everyday things rather than the end point. Looking forward to seeing the film version of this one!

[Bailey J · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, love , loved it! 10/10 fun read about backpacking in vermont, Martin Armitage did an awesome job!

[Aw Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I'm so happy you got to experience this and share your journey with us 😊

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I love the way you describe your journey and the lessons you came to learn

[Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for your next camping adventure! Loved this one

[Cece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited to hear more from the author😊

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching realizations with beautiful experience

[Karen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having my own journey while reading your work !

[Carol K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

[Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of youre journey

[Khalid · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to hear more from you !

[Hamel T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations on your journey 🎉

[Kimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool down to earth journey

[Hades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow so proud !

[Henny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Ph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congrats on your self discovery

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep it up man

[Sarina U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for you ☺️

[Veronics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job on your journey and portraying it in a beautiful way 💝

[Ares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope you have many more experiences to come

[Jay Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of you and what you've to learn