Unsupported

by Bethany Adams

Unsupported  follows Bethany Adams (contributor to Blood Sweat Tears) and her hiking partner, Katie Rhodes on their record-setting thru-hike of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks. Adams and Rhodes face the challenges of the trail head-on, and with each other's constant companionship, buoyed by their fierce desire to prove just what women can do in the mountains. Through her time on trail, Adams is forced to reckon with the dissolution of her marriage, and what it means to be supported in life, love, and adventure.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2026

Reviews

[B]

I loved this book not for its prowess of prose, but because of how familiar I found its landscape.

Bethany Adams completed the first female thru-hike of the Adirondack (ADK) 46 high peaks. I hike in the high peaks region every year. I've bagged 39 of the 46 peaks and counting. I know the roads, the views, the weather, and the mental gymnastics of hiking and camping in that particular wilderness. For that reason, I adored this book. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. We don't know a lot about Bethany or her husband, so the secondary plot regarding the crossroads in her marriage fall a bit flat. There's just not enough there for the reader to be invested.

What kept me turning page after page was the familiarity of her journey. At times she described a particular bit of trail and I knew exactly where she was and exactly where she was headed. I also appreciated her frankness about the difficulty of the area. Even though she lives there and has hiked the terrain many times, she can still be open and honest about what happens when you're tired, hungry, or when bad weather blows in. I know what it's like to be on Marcy in bad weather. I know what it's like to crawl into a wet tent and then sit and wonder if you need to pack up and move to protect yourself. I know what it's like to fumble in the darkness of the ADK wilderness, willing your headlamp to skirt across camp so you can finally, mercifully, collapse into your tent. I saw myself in Bethany Adams, and I thank her for that.

[Amanda Jaros]

This is a brand-new, stellar hiking book to add to your collection. Adams did a record-breaking, backpacking thru-hike of the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks. Unsupported chronicles her journey with hiking partner Katie Rhodes. I loved this book because it takes place in the Adirondack Mountains, of course, but more so, I loved Adams's perseverance in turning her dream of doing the fastest known time hike of the High Peaks into reality. The story explores the physical and mental ups and downs of this challenge, delving into all the good, bad, and ugly of such a feat. I loved it!

[Elizabeth T. Georges]

Much respect! Happy to have learned about this book through the Banff film festival and thoroughly enjoyed your story. 🌟

[Amanda Cash]

Have I mentioned that I love memoirs?

As a resident of the Adirondacks and very familiar with many of the author’s descriptions, this one was especially interesting to me and I was lucky enough to pick up a copy at my local library. I remember hearing about the two women who completed this amazing feat during 2020.

I liked the weaving of her story (memories?) of her relationship within the story of the hike.

While I don’t think I have been inspired to try this same feat, it did remind me of the majesty and magic of the mountains I am lucky enough to call home.

[Sam B]

I remember I was wrapping up the fire tower challenge with the goal of beginning my 46er journey after. My brother had texted me to say there were two females going for a thru-hike of all the high peaks in one shot. I immediately had to figure out who they were and began following the adventure. As an avid Adirondack lover and often times a middle-aged solo woman hiker, this was pretty badass! Bethany and Katie have been inspirations since that day.

Reading this book and knowing most of the trails these ladies encountered allowed me to feel that I was right there with them. I still sat with my map on hand to really follow along.

The smooth transitions from the trail to Bethany’s life stories made me feel that I was somewhere on trail reflecting back on life and then snapped back into reality. Those of us who return to these mountains again and again can all relate to that on some level. These mountains have saved me and humbled me in my own way. Certain pieces will always hold memories - the good ones and the bittersweet ones.

Thank you Bethany (and Katie) for sharing your story. It was raw, it was real, it was life! You don’t get that kind of depth from being a follower on social media. It takes guts and courage to dig deep and share the not so glorious parts of life. Thank you for sharing that part with us. I continue to be inspired.

Here’s to hoping I can one day give the thru-hike of the 46 a shot just for the fun of it!

[Marin George]

I just finished Unsupported, and I keep asking myself: how does someone carry a wildly ambitious goal in the mountains, heartbreak, and a relationship falling apart, all while discovering freedom and inner strength? And somehow turn it into a story that lights up the world?

Bethany does exactly that.

This book is raw, courageous, and inspiring. It’s about pushing limits in the mountains, but it’s also about the internal climbs we face when life unravels. Through it all, Bethany shows what vision, resilience, and sheer guts look like. Her journey feels both epic and intimate, and it left me feeling energized and hopeful.

Unsupported is more than an adventure story. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when you trust yourself and keep moving forward, even when the path is uncertain. Bethany is paving the way for women in the mountains and beyond, and this book is a powerful testament to that spirit.

I’m so proud to witness her light in the world. ❤️

[Emily Gros]

I enjoyed Bethany’s journey. As someone who aspires to be a 46er- the fact that she and Katie did the thru-hike unsupported is awe-inspiring. It’s not something I want to do in particular, so reading their journey was riveting.

Her openness about her illnesses and marriage is so relatable. It sets a precedent that one is not alone in the struggles they endure.

I went to school with Bethany and never knew the struggles she lived with. Then, it was frowned upon to share your battles publicly. For her to overcome social norms is fearless.

When Katie and Bethany crossed that finish line setting a record - a tear and a smile crossed my face. I was proud of these women.

I even read the dedications - I shed a few more tears when she dedicated this book to Mrs. Theinpont. She was a very inspiring and strong woman too. To this day - she’s one of my hero’s.

Highly recommend!

[Sam]

One of those books I couldn't put down. Then halfway through I intentionally slowed down because I didn't want it to end.

I've read lots of wilderness memoirs and this is definitely a favorite. I enjoy when authors mix in their personal lives with the hike story and Bethany blends the two story arcs seamlessly. Reading about the dynamics of having a hiking partner also made the hike- and book, unqiue.

Although I haven't hiked much in the Adirondacks I found myself looking at my map often. It was cool to learn about the trails of this region where my family has roots.

The biggest lesson for me is one I know many women struggle with- say what you want. Put your dreams out there. Try them. You may find out your not alone. And women can achieve great things together.

[Kenneth Posner]

Raw and personal account of a 200-mile record setting hike in the Adorondacks

This is an intense account of a big hike, but more than that it's a chance to get to know Bethany, her husband Daniel, and her co-runner, Katie. Bethany is a forceful, strong person, but that doesn't mean everything goes smoothly for her, because with that energy comes anxiety, frustration, anger, and disappointment. This is a story about fighting through all sorts of challenges, which gives it universal appeal, and the Adirondacks provide a suitable (and beautiful) backdrop for the adventure. Congrats Bethany and Katie for accomplishing your special mission!

[Jodi Utter]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. I’m not an athlete or a climber. From the first page I was captivated by Bethany’s ability share her stories of the mountains, her personal, and at times, gut wrenching stories of the struggles and the healing she has discovered along the way. I started this book and couldn’t put it down! Don’t be intimidated by thinking that this book is just for mountain climbers and uber athletes. The book is about life and I loved every page!

[Patrick McNamara]

Great accounting of a woman who had a passion for an unsupported continuous hike of the Adirondack 46ers (peaks above 4000')... hiking all in one push, no stopping for additional supplies aside from those initially carried in. What adds to the narrative is the backstory of a difficult marriage, the value of a hiking partner for mutual encouragement, the love of being in the wilderness, the determination of setting a goal and fighting for it.

[Reader]

Enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was on the hike with Bethany and Katie. I also liked that Bethany included her personal struggles throughout the hike. I have family that live in the Adirondacks, so I am somewhat familiar with the area however I’m not a hiker, but I’ve been inspired by this book.

[Carlee]

This is a story about two women who tackled an unsupported thru-hike of the Adirondacks 46ers, and one of their stories about the struggles she overcame to get there, and the challenges along the way. I liked the truth behind the writing, and the author's vulnerable connections to her life. A quick read-and I learned about a totally new kind of hiking challenge, which was cool!

[Colleen]

I have heard Bethany speak on podcasts and I have love hiking in the north east. The part of the book that I enjoyed the most was what she shared about her personal life and mental journey. Inspiring and also relatable.

[Ms Michelle]

Raw, truthful, heartbreaking, inspiring! I have always enjoyed reading Bethany’s stories, she makes you feel like you are along for the journey! Well done, congratulations!

[Rob1]

Really inspiring read that blended the author's relationship struggles alongside her quest to complete an incredible feat of endurance in the High Peaks of NY.

[Rachel DeLuca]

My favorite things: A book. With strong, badass women. In The Adirondacks; my favorite place in the world.

My husband and I fell in love with The Adirondacks years ago after a spontaneous trip to explore bigger and better mountains outside of our home state of Connecticut. We are no Bethany & Katie, but we share the same love for the mountains and hiking - and even started our own journey to complete the 46 high peaks. This book is beyond inspiring, and throughout, reminded me of the peace I feel from nature.

Bethany's ability to make emotions jump off the pages was astonishing. I couldn't put this book down! (And of course I got this book from The Mountaineer!)

Bethany and Katie are not two badass women hikers - they are just two badass hikers.

Thank you for sharing your story. 🙏🏻

[Kelty Goodrow]

Such a good book, especially if you’ve hiked in the Adirondacks. I felt to connected to the mountains and felt the girl power throughout the book, I didn’t want to put it down!!

[Maria Pelusi]

Inspiring and moving, I couldn't put it down. Also really loved the story telling and the maps

[Sandra]

The highs and lows of life, relationships, and marriage and a celebration of failing forward and doing hard things. One of my favorite books!

[Jennifer]

Inspiring story that's well written. Introspective and not too heavy on technical climbing details.

[Jennifer]

GREAT read. Anyone interested in outdoor adventures would find this fascinating and inspiring. As a 46er, I loved reliving the summits.

[PJ]

I was fortunate enough to hear Bethany Adams speak at my library about her book the day I finished reading it. The book is a journey through the attempt she undertook to break the fastest known time for thruhiking the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks, completely unsupported. It is a compelling read that is part personal narrative, part hiking narrative, part Adirondack narrative with reflections on Adirondack history, and part critical examination of hiking and outdoor sports with regard to how women are represented (or not) and treated in these spaces. Great appreciation for the thread woven throughout about women naturally excelling at endurance sports. Pick this book up today, and see Bethany speak if she has an event near you!