Two Tents: Twenty-one Years of Discovery on the Appalachian Trail

by Jim Haskell

"Two Tents" is Jim Haskell’s account of hiking the Appalachian Trial over two decades – his adventures with bears, thunderstorms, and unforgiving cliffs; his memories of breathtaking sunsets and scenery; his reflections about people he met on the trail; his self-discovery as a husband, father, and man. Two Tents depicts how Jim’s childhood fantasy evolved into an achievement for his lifetime.

Genres: Nonfiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2015

Reviews

[George Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished the Appalachian Trail at the top of Mt Katahdin. Of course, I started that hike at Katahdin Stream at the bottom of the mountain, so I didn’t hike the entire AT!

Thankfully, I don’t have to hike the entire trail because I experienced that in Jim Haskell’s great book, Two Tents, published by Maine Authors Publishing. The title references a mistake Jim made on one of his hikes, lugging two tents up into the mountains.

Jim, a Maine native, was not a “through hiker.” He completed the 2200 mile hike in sections over a 21 year period. And he was inspired to do that at the age of 9, when he and his Dad and older siblings climbed Mount Katahdin. Yes, Mount Katahdin can be inspiring!

Jim’s hiking adventures included some serious challenges, including falls, major storms, and an aggressive bear. I particularly enjoyed his stories of other hikers, some of whom joined him from time to time along the trail. And his descriptions of the hikes put you right out on the trail with him.

But this isn’t just a hiking book, nor do you have to be a hiker to enjoy it. Jim’s life story unfolds as the years progress, including two marriages and adoption of a baby from Guatamala. And all along the trail, Jim is discovering things about himself. I especially loved how he loved fatherhood, to the point that he decided to give up his dream of hiking the entire AT because he didn’t want to leave his baby son.

It was Jim’s wife who insisted he complete the hike, and she was so very right to do that. And we must also thank those who encouraged him to write this book. As it says on the back cover: Two Tents is about making dreams come true.

[Mwenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book particularly because Jim was a section hiker, and most written accounts of the AT seem to come from thru-hikers. The section hiker experience is really different and Jim did a good job sharing that.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for another "armchair hike"

Without books like this my experience of the AT would be very limited. Thanks SO much for sharing and congrats on reaching your goal.

[Peter Bridgford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading the book, TWO TENTS, last night. As a thru-hiker from the Appalachian Trail, I enjoyed the author's perspective, his experiences, and his love of the trail. I thought that his writing was clear and concise, and Jim Haskell explained a lot of the subtle aspects and hardships of the hiking experience. I am in awe of the dedication that AT section hikers have - to stay focused on attaining a goal for decades shows much more perseverance than most people. The book is a really good read, and I strongly recommend it to both hikers and non-hikers.

[R.J. Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing my appreciation for stories such as this and a passion for "taking a walk in the woods', this was an engaging read that gently places the reader on the AT (Appalachian Trail). Haskell utilizes a fictitious character to help tell the story and to accompany him on his travels up and down the trail, Georgia to Maine. The travels on the trail seeps with personality, angst of the day and the quiet beauty which makes itself known to anyone willing to take the time and allow it to do so. Haskell is now currently tackling all the 4000 footers (mountains) in New England. R

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very glad to have read this and to have seen Mr. Haskell in person at my local library doing a talk on it. I plan to do as many sections of the AT as I can with my family so it was nice to read a book by someone who's already done it.