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Hello My Name is Sharkbait: A 2,000-Mile Adventure on the Appalachian Trail
Five Months.
Five Million Steps.
An Odyssey of Grit.
What happens when a stubborn dream meets the relentless spine of the Appalachians?
There are three kinds of people crazy enough to hike the entire Appalachian Trail—young romantics chasing glory, older souls seeking one last thrill, and the occasional runaway escaping life’s troubles. Then there’s a guy who simply loved hiking, and who was naïve enough to think it would be enough. It wasn’t.
Follow one hiker’s 2,192-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, through blizzards, dehydration, laughter, and doubt. What began as a long-awaited dream became an unforgettable test of spirit, resilience, and the fine line between adventure and insanity.
But it isn’t just about surviving the trials of the trail. It’s about the unexpected friendships forged along the way, and the evolving bond between a son and father who found their long-standing roles quietly turning inside out.
Told with humor, heart, and blistering honesty, this narrative memoir invites readers to follow along on the dramatic journey. To hopscotch rivers, climb clouded peaks, and endure the relentless drum of rain. But most of all, to rediscover the joy of chasing one's dreams.
Five Million Steps.
An Odyssey of Grit.
What happens when a stubborn dream meets the relentless spine of the Appalachians?
There are three kinds of people crazy enough to hike the entire Appalachian Trail—young romantics chasing glory, older souls seeking one last thrill, and the occasional runaway escaping life’s troubles. Then there’s a guy who simply loved hiking, and who was naïve enough to think it would be enough. It wasn’t.
Follow one hiker’s 2,192-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, through blizzards, dehydration, laughter, and doubt. What began as a long-awaited dream became an unforgettable test of spirit, resilience, and the fine line between adventure and insanity.
But it isn’t just about surviving the trials of the trail. It’s about the unexpected friendships forged along the way, and the evolving bond between a son and father who found their long-standing roles quietly turning inside out.
Told with humor, heart, and blistering honesty, this narrative memoir invites readers to follow along on the dramatic journey. To hopscotch rivers, climb clouded peaks, and endure the relentless drum of rain. But most of all, to rediscover the joy of chasing one's dreams.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 4, 2026
An engaging and well-told story of hiking the AT. Mostly well-written (but please explain the line about water falling “incredulously fast.” 😁
The book strikes a good balance between descriptions of the hiking and relating his physical and mental states. Sharkbait’s humor comes through throughout the book.
Most hiking memoirs have a least a few places that have me wondering when the author will just get on with the story. Not this one. He also had me looking up gear I hadn’t heard of before. I didn’t know I needed a rain wrap!
The book strikes a good balance between descriptions of the hiking and relating his physical and mental states. Sharkbait’s humor comes through throughout the book.
Most hiking memoirs have a least a few places that have me wondering when the author will just get on with the story. Not this one. He also had me looking up gear I hadn’t heard of before. I didn’t know I needed a rain wrap!
May 9, 2026
Took my time and savored this
I ready this book slowly, over a few months. I would have been easy to blow through it quickly because it’s an engaging and well written story. Instead, this book was my respite from the hard news in the world. It reminded me of the beautiful things in the world and what people can do.
I ready this book slowly, over a few months. I would have been easy to blow through it quickly because it’s an engaging and well written story. Instead, this book was my respite from the hard news in the world. It reminded me of the beautiful things in the world and what people can do.
March 14, 2026
Thank you!
I have read literally dozens of books about the trail. It was on my bucket list practically my whole life. Now that I'm 81, I probably won't do it this time around, but thank you, Michael, for taking me with you .
I have read literally dozens of books about the trail. It was on my bucket list practically my whole life. Now that I'm 81, I probably won't do it this time around, but thank you, Michael, for taking me with you .
January 26, 2026
Sharkbait
Loved reading about this gentleman's hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. His devotion to his lifelong dream to fulfill his bucket list.
Loved reading about this gentleman's hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. His devotion to his lifelong dream to fulfill his bucket list.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews