Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year hike on America's trail

by Jeffrey H. Ryan

Unlike through-hikers that complete the Appalachian Trail in one several month trip, Jeffrey Ryan took a different approach. Grabbing weeks here and days off there, it took Jeffrey twenty-eight years to finish the trail one section at a time. Along the way he learned much about himself and made many new friends, including his best friend, Wayne, who made the journey with him from start to finish.

Including 75 color photos and profile maps that add a sense of the terrain covered, this engaging book is part memoir, part natural history and lore, and part practical advice. Whether you've hiked the AT, are planning to hike it, or only wish to dream of hiking it, this is the book to read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Travel, Nature, Biography

Paperback

First published December 18, 2014

About the author

Jeffrey H Ryan is an author, adventurer, photographer and historian. He has written several books about his outdoor exploits, his fascination with hiking trails and the people and places found just off the beaten path. His debut book, Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year hike on America’s trail was hailed by the former Executive Editor of National Geographic as “a classic of nature and travel writing” and set off a national tour (in a 1985 VW camper, no less).

His books are known for weaving a deep appreciation for history into walks across contemporary landscapes that give readers the feeling they are hiking right alongside. When Jeff isn’t trekking, chasing down a great story or spinning yarns from his keyboard, he enjoys sharing his adventures with audiences who love the outdoors. He spends much of his time in his beloved native state of Maine.

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a realistic and down to earth book on hiking. Just two guys roughin it on the trail.
The author himself is so likable, I love how he focuses on the negative(what went wrong) instead of shying away from it. Because his love of nature shines through as well as how much trail angels are truly the best people on this earth!!


You’re an inspiration Jeff!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Myra Osgood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at a friend’s suggestion and was surprised at how it drew me in even though I’m not a hiker. Ryan demystifies undertaking such a feat, and frankly inspired me to get outdoors. This is storytelling at its best. Somehow he makes it seem like walking 2,100 miles over a 28 year period with a 75-pound pack is doable. One would think that seeing pictures and video of some of the most beautiful places on earth would just be cool, but I am inspired to see some of these places first hand. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a great story, but also to anyone who could use a shot of inspiration in perseverance toward a long-term goal.

[Charles Carbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, quite simply, one of the more enjoyable reads I've had in quite some time. I'm not much of a hiker myself, so I was grateful that the author didn't get lost in the minutiae of camping gear and such, and kept this very much accessible for the general reader. I was really happy to see that the author also took advantage of the medium, and had lots of interesting video clips, photos, maps and historical sidebars, which really helped to bring you along on the journey and give you a sense of time and place. Given the subject matter, I can't help but compare this to Bill Bryson's book, "A Walk in the Woods", in that the reader is drawn to the inner journey that these hikers are on over time, as much as the outward journey through the mountains. "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon would be another example of the same concept. That, to me, is always the mark of any great travel book, and what makes this book stand out for the general reader. I found this to be very well written, with plenty of laugh out loud moments as I read this in bed at night (much to the chagrin of my trying-to-get-to-sleep wife), and I very much look forward to diving into the future volumes as they are released.

[Chris Sentementes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the original book on iTunes and loved it and also went to a tremendous slideshow that the author gave at L.L.Bean last spring. I loved seeing the way the gear, the food as well as the person changes over 28 years but the trail is the same.
Looking forward to the full Odyssey.
C. Sentementes
Yarmouth , Maine

[Sandy Pardee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still in the process of reading the book, but I thought it would be worth adding a review here. I'd finished A Walk In The Woods just before I started this book, and it's an interesting comparison so far. What really jumps out are the advantages of an eBook in this kind of situation. While Appalachian Odyssey isn't a "How-to" book per se, it infuses the narrative with enough information about the realities of hiking that it serves that purpose. It is a fun, fine read for the adventure and the musings alone, but add in the details about gear, weather, packing, etc. and it becomes more valuable and more "real". Beyond that, you get the photos and videos of a wide range of places along the trail, maps, graphs of the terrain, lists and pictures of the gear, etc. Being able to open the photos and to watch the videos really brings you into the story. It doesn't try to be A Walk In The Woods, and it doesn't try to replace it. It stands up well on its own, so far, and I expect it will continue to do so. Excellent read!

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome memoir packed with 30 years of trail wisdom. It's a great read for anyone interested in stories of friendship, perseverance and adventure—as well as hiking and nature enthusiasts. The original photography and interactive features make the book fun and engaging. Highly recommended!

[Emily Tailer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I am not an avid hiker I found this book an extremely fascinating read. It is far more than a book about hiking the Application Trail. It is an elegantly written story of how a lifelong friendship is developed.

[Erica Robyn Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about adventure and friendship with a little dash of history. The photos and videos included were amazing-you felt like you were right there with Jeff!

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up skimming this book. I found the format unusual; it seemed to read as a series of very detailed journal entries--what clothes became wet in rainy weather, what kinds of foods the hikers craved and found as they went along. The detailed information about the camps and sections of trails the hikers traveled would probably be a good reference and helpful to others planning similar journeys.

[Dani Reumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very interested in hiking the AT (one day) but realistically (& for my health) there is no way I can do a through hike. It’s been hard to find a book that details section hiking, so I appreciated reading this one! I highlighted so many bits of info & can’t wait to put this knowledge to use - hopefully sooner than later!

[Peter Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely my best read for this year and perhaps for this decade. Jeffrey Ryan writes about his 28 Year Hike of the Appalachian Trail; he and his friend section hiked it over that time. His writing produces an epic story and adventure that any outdoors person would greatly appreciate. The book was hard to put down yet one I didn't wish to end. I found myself, much like Jeff explains about his hike, slowing down purposely on the last chapter, so it would last longer.

[AWBookGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like wandering through the woods and doing some light hiking, but I have absolutely no desire to camp out anywhere that doesn't involve a cabin, a bed, and a hot shower. So it may surprise people that I thoroughly enjoyed a memoir about hiking the Appalachian Trail. But I did!

Appalachian Odyssey is the memoir of Jeffrey Ryan who, with his friend, Wayne, section hiked the Appalachian Trail over the course of 28 years. For those unfamiliar, the AT is a total of about 2500 miles and stretches from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. While Ryan had previously through-hiked (completing the trail in one effort over several months) the Pacific Crest Trail, he and Wayne took long weekends and a few weeks at a time to hike the AT in sections.

Each phase of the book correlates to the section of trail hiked, with maps showing the ascent and descent and camp sites, and I found that interesting because it provided a good perspective on how important planning the number of miles per day would be. There are plenty of pictures of the scenery, but what I enjoyed most was the clear enthusiasm Ryan has for hiking and being out in nature. Even at the frustrating times, when the weather was atrocious and his body was rebelling and his mind was telling him to give up the trail, Ryan's love of the trail comes through.

Not everything goes smoothly on the trail. The weather doesn't always cooperate, and sometimes nature gets the better of you (I learned how destructive porcupines can be to vehicles in this book) but sometimes, everything goes just right. It's the authenticity of the good and the bad that made me enjoy the book. And unlike Wild, I have respect for Ryan and his story. He takes care to talk about the importance of being prepared for a big hike, with the right equipment and preparation. This isn't something you just "wing" and hope that strangers will help you out when you need it. He's a life-long hiker who plans to have the right gear, food, and supplies. Sure things don't work out perfectly all the time, but it isn't due to carelessness.

At the same time, when Ryan wrote about the scenery he encountered, the restorative, simple times he and Wayne just hung out at a camp site, or the euphoria he felt on the trail, I felt it, too. Because of this book, I have a new appreciation for hikers/campers. I understand more about the pace on the trail and the respect of your companions and the trails themselves. I learned some new pieces of trail etiquette, and a lot about the importance of the right equipment. I can certainly begin to understand how something like hiking the AT appeals to some people.

While Appalachian Odyssey didn't make me want to take up section hiking the Appalachian Trail, it did make me want to get out and explore more in day hikes. To take more time to remember how restorative time in nature can be, and to take time out to appreciate this glorious world around us.

I hope you'll do yourself a favor and check out this one.

[Connie Anderson]

I have read several books on how difficult the Appalachian Trail is and how only the most physically fit should attempt it. I saw that this book was available and had to read it. This is such a spectacular storytelling. Mr. Ryan has photos he took himself on nearly every other page. Finally I can see what others attempted to write. He has been hiking the trail for 28 years with friends old and new.

The photos will inspire you and blow you away.k This book is terrific! It also has some laugh out loud moments. It is full of friendship, perseverance, and inspiration.

Thank you to Jeffrey H. Ryan and Word Slinger for giving me a free book to read and give my honest review.

[Chris Sentementes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most entertaining book I have read in a long time
Thoroughly entertaining and historical. A guidebook and novel rolled into one
The author transports you in time through decades along the trail one can not help but be drawn in to each and every section.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this adventure, you feel like you are walking right next to this author. The photographs included in this book are amazing. Great read for outdoor people! I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Renee]

I may try to pick this one up again later, it just didn't pull me in at all as written - staccato.

[Judy]

Probably one of my all time favorite books.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a sea of books about thru-hiking, this book was something special and really spoke to those of us who are part of the section hiker subgroup. Jeffrey H. Ryan talks about the ups and downs of his many multi-day adventures on the AT and doesn't romanticize the journey. He embraces the suck when necessary, respects his body's limits, and pushes on when he can--all while beginning his hikes with about seventy pounds of well-loved, well-used, and well-chosen gear. It would be easy to criticize him for that load but hike your own hike. Ryan is out there, making miles, all while having his coffee and drinking it, too.

As for the book, it felt a lot like reading a travel journal, not surprising since his book is based on his journal and memories, but like a journal, there were some overlooked punctuation errors that were periodically jarring. However, his writing evoked my own love of hiking, backpacking, and section hiking the Appalachian Trail, and that emotional experience helped overshadow any technical errors.

This is the hiking book I'd read again and again on days when I can't get on the trail. It serves as a reminder that it's easy to let life get in the way of doing the things we love and we must make the things that bring us the most joy a priority in our lives.

[S.B. Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought this was going to be boring and I put it down. But since I am obsessed with the AT I figured I had to give it a try. Once I got into it I was pleasantly surprised to find myself burning through chapters. I found this to be a very well detailed account of hiking the AT. I wish it was one solid thru-hike though. It was a little repetitive, but I appreciated the added history of a lot of the sections they did. I'll return to this when I actually get around to my thru-hike. Overall I enjoyed it.

[Haunani Kekuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read...five stars!

Great read for anyone interested in hiking the AT.
I thru hiked the AT in 2011 and experienced so much of Mr. Ryan's trials and tribulations. I found myself underlining many many passages. Like I said "A Great Read"!

[Emily Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid AT memoir that really makes me want to go out and hike. I'm surprised I don't see this on more AT book recommendation lists. I loved the inclusion of color photos and elevation maps. Having those points of reference added a layer of immersion I haven't found in other AT books.

[Brian Tanner Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a 28yr long journey of the AT. Really enjoyed this book.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and exciting description of a decades-long quest to finish the Trail. Good job.

[Jay Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book as I am in my eleventh year of a section hike of the AT. But, ......

Even though the author makes his living writing, I found this amateurish. It is apparent that no one proof read this before publishing. He gets the names of places wrong, even putting towns in the wrong state.

But the one recurring issue was using the incorrect word; due for do or your for you're. And throughout the book he misuses then and than.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beyond excited to win this book from Goodreads Firstreads! What sets this book apart from other Appalachian Trail memoirs ( and I have read close to 30 at this point!) besides the awesome photographs that the author took while on the trail, is that for every section he and his buddy hiked there is a graph that actually shows you what the terrain was like. You can read about it, but until you actually see it right there before your eyes on the graph with elevations marked, you have no idea how rough the hike actually is. Another thing I really liked was that because he was out on the trail ( and other trails as well) for 28 years, and because he worked for L.L. Bean, he had a lot of experience testing equipment and has absolutely got that down! There is even a section in the back of the book ( with photos!) of the authors preferred equipment listed. Oh, and the book is well written too! This should be required reading for all through and section hikers! I really hope Mr. Ryan writes another book about his through hike of the Pacific Crest Trail!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a no nonsense memoir of someone's time on the AT. The writer's background in advertisment shines through in the clear no nonsense writing and even though he mentions very specific items, it doesn't read like a sponsored book. He mentions that the book is based off of notebooks he wrote in during the trips which explains the details. I would love to read a reaction piece from his trail partner, their relationship was not the point of the book but it amused me to no end. It's clear they're not best friends (or even close friends sometimes), so his thoughts on him and their interactions were so pure and amazing to me. This is not a trail guide though it does have some good hints. I genuinely think anyone who likes to hike would enjoy this book.

[Marguerite Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two men that are friends walk the whole Appalachian Trail in 28 years. I loved this book!!!! I felt as if I had walked the trail with them.