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Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail
In thirty-six thrilling days, Melanie Radzicki McManus hiked 1,100 miles around Wisconsin, landing her in the elite group of Ice Age Trail thru-hikers known as the Thousand-Milers. In prose that's alternately harrowing and humorous, Thousand-Miler takes you with her through Wisconsin's forests, prairies, wetlands, and farms, past the geologic wonders carved by long-ago glaciers, and into the neighborhood bars and gathering places of far-flung small towns. Follow along as she worries about wildlife encounters, wonders if her injured feet will ever recover, and searches for an elusive fellow hiker known as Papa Bear. Woven throughout her account are details of the history of the still-developing Ice Age Trail--one of just eleven National Scenic Trails--and helpful insight and strategies for undertaking a successful thru-hike.
In addition to chronicling McManus's hike, Thousand-Miler also includes the little-told story of the Ice Age Trail's first-ever thru-hiker Jim Staudacher, an account of the record-breaking thru-run of ultrarunner Jason Dorgan, the experiences of a young combat veteran who embarked on her thru-hike as a way to ease back into civilian life, and other fascinating tales from the trail. Their collective experiences shed light on the motivations of thru-hikers and the different ways hikers accomplish this impressive feat, providing an entertaining and informative read for outdoors enthusiasts of all levels.
In addition to chronicling McManus's hike, Thousand-Miler also includes the little-told story of the Ice Age Trail's first-ever thru-hiker Jim Staudacher, an account of the record-breaking thru-run of ultrarunner Jason Dorgan, the experiences of a young combat veteran who embarked on her thru-hike as a way to ease back into civilian life, and other fascinating tales from the trail. Their collective experiences shed light on the motivations of thru-hikers and the different ways hikers accomplish this impressive feat, providing an entertaining and informative read for outdoors enthusiasts of all levels.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
February 1, 2020
I listened to this audio book almost 2 years ago but just never got around to writing a review. It was interesting and she had a lot of little anecdotes on people she met on the trail or things that happened in places a long time ago.
She had a lot of support, which seemed to take some of the struggles away that other hikers face...or at least made it quite a bit easier.
She had a lot of support, which seemed to take some of the struggles away that other hikers face...or at least made it quite a bit easier.
September 19, 2017
Maps. Maps would have helped those not familiar with the areas because she seemed to skip around (she was in Wausau, then she wasn't, then she was again, I don't know) I enjoyed the side stories of some of the people she met, but sometimes even those rambled on. She was extremely assisted more than just the usual slack packing so I would like to have more emphasis on people who do this without the help. People who take the time to do things like this fascinates me and I just want to get inside their head to see what makes them want to complete these amazing hikes. There isn't much back story on the author like Cheryl or Bill or the other story tellers on the trail have. It does get the word out that this could be a great trail to start out on.
March 12, 2017
I've hiked here and there on the IAT and did once think I could section-hike it all, but discovered it's not for me. I therefore enjoy hiking vicariously through books like this one. McManus kept me reading (and I can be finicky with regard to how a book engages me). While there was plenty of information and insight, I still wanted more. I wanted more about the trail itself (as there are so few who know anything at all about the IAT); what the conditions are like/the terrain/etc. I wanted photos. And I wanted more huzzahs because what McManus accomplished (and more than once!) is truly extraordinary. Fast, enjoyable journey via this book.
August 5, 2023
3.5 stars
I learned so much about the Ice Age Trail, and this book revved me up about becoming a "thousand-miler" myself, although not as a thru-hiker. I learned you can achieve this status by hiking every section over time, and that sounds much more compatible with my life.
The history of this National Scenic Trail is so fascinating, and it makes me love my state even more than I already do. I hike segments of the Ice Age Trail all the time. Some of my favorite local hikes are just down the road and part of this massive trail. I loved learning more about it.
The author wrote about other hikers whom she met on her thru-hike and hikers she found inspiring. I liked these chapters a lot, especially the one that talked about Sean Gobin and the Warrior Hike program (now called Warrior Expeditions) that helps veterans transition from military to civilian life by outfitting hikes, bikes, and paddling expeditions. It's such a cool program, and I was glad to read it's still going (this book was published in 2017).
What I liked the least was the author's own story. As soon as I found out she'd be speeding through to try to set a record, I felt let down. She had a support crew helping her daily--and that's allowed--but it wasn't the adventure I thought I'd be reading, I guess. I certainly didn't want to hear about her feet as often as I did. I appreciate her honesty about how demanding she was with the people crewing her, but I can't say it made me like her a whole lot. And with all her descriptions of twists and turns and this road and that, the book would have benefitted from including some maps. I would have loved if some photos had been included too.
The amount I learned and was inspired by outweighed any annoyance I had with the author's personal account, and I'm glad I read it.
I learned so much about the Ice Age Trail, and this book revved me up about becoming a "thousand-miler" myself, although not as a thru-hiker. I learned you can achieve this status by hiking every section over time, and that sounds much more compatible with my life.
The history of this National Scenic Trail is so fascinating, and it makes me love my state even more than I already do. I hike segments of the Ice Age Trail all the time. Some of my favorite local hikes are just down the road and part of this massive trail. I loved learning more about it.
The author wrote about other hikers whom she met on her thru-hike and hikers she found inspiring. I liked these chapters a lot, especially the one that talked about Sean Gobin and the Warrior Hike program (now called Warrior Expeditions) that helps veterans transition from military to civilian life by outfitting hikes, bikes, and paddling expeditions. It's such a cool program, and I was glad to read it's still going (this book was published in 2017).
What I liked the least was the author's own story. As soon as I found out she'd be speeding through to try to set a record, I felt let down. She had a support crew helping her daily--and that's allowed--but it wasn't the adventure I thought I'd be reading, I guess. I certainly didn't want to hear about her feet as often as I did. I appreciate her honesty about how demanding she was with the people crewing her, but I can't say it made me like her a whole lot. And with all her descriptions of twists and turns and this road and that, the book would have benefitted from including some maps. I would have loved if some photos had been included too.
The amount I learned and was inspired by outweighed any annoyance I had with the author's personal account, and I'm glad I read it.
July 14, 2019
I would have given this book a 5 star rating, but thought that there was too much divergence by writing about other hikers. I know this wasn't just Melanie's adventures, but still, there was too much about others. Despite this, I truly enjoyed this book. Maybe more so because the author hiked the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail where I live. I always find it interesting reading a book where I know the terrain. I was surprised to learn the author has had some experience hiking before, and actually hiked 600 miles in Spain, and wrote a travelogue of this hike. So, I therefore found it interesting that she made some really poor choices in terms of her planned hike in terms of shoes, pain management, and reaching out to people well before her hike. We had a very good discussion in book club about this book, and it was certainly not a book I would have picked up on my own so I enjoyed that I was introduced to something I wouldn't have normally read! This is to me, what book club is about.
January 18, 2018
Not what I expected. I thought it would be more of a commentary on interesting sights seen during a leisurely walk along the trail with emphasis on natural features. Instead it was an account of the author's attempt to break a speed record covering the trail and her account of other people attempting to break records of various kinds. The overall story was that of the author trying to "defeat" the trail, overcome various physical difficulties, and cover distance fast instead of enjoying the experience. There was not much incentive presented for a non-competitive person to set out on the trail. Also in a book of this nature. a map would be helpful.
March 22, 2017
I enjoy reading books about thru hikers and ultramarathoning, so I was excited when I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. This is not a backpacking book, as the author is crewed in her attempt to set a speed record on the Ice Age Trail, and spends her nights lodging with friends or in motels. However, it does have interesting trail stories, logistics of how she attempts her speed record, and lots of Wisconsin history in relation to the trail. Interspersed are tales of other hikers she encounters in her journey. A fun read for the outdoor enthusiast.
November 3, 2018
I enjoyed the parts about the history of the Ice Age trail and the connection to other national trails, but this lady's own story of trying to set the record for the fastest time hiking it was not compelling. The 4th or 5th time she mentioned being bloated from antibiotics (and not liking how she looked), I almost walked away from this book, which I almost never do. I guess I just don't connect with the idea of racing through a trail that is meant to foster an appreciation of nature. And I give her points for honesty for describing (repeatedly) how inconsiderately she treated the people who were helping her. The whole idea of having a crew to bring you snacks and drinks and new socks so you can hike faster just doesn't make sense to me, but whatever! The project she mentions at the end about connecting military service vets to hiking sounds great. Also, editing note: she reaches the halfway point of her hike on p 200 or so of a 280 pg book. So the 2nd half wasn't that great? Ugh, unless you're somehow obsessed with hiking the Ice Age Trail in WI, I don't recommend.
February 17, 2018
I tend to love true life adventure books (canoeing, hiking, etc.) but this one didn't do it for me. There was quality writing and some nice backstories were presented along with information about the trail. However, I never felt drawn into the journey. The author's effort was fixated on the conquering goal. Her through-hike, in my opinion, neglected to enjoy the journey. It felt to me more of a litany of physical maladies than the shared experience of crossing Wisconsin on foot.
July 12, 2017
For me this book started off bland but as I continued it changed into something more generous. The sidebar chapters or portions of chapters on the history of the Trail or other's experiences regarding the Trail made it more fulfilling and satisfying. Towards the end, I didn't want the book to end!
July 31, 2025
Could have been 3 stars if it was not in my home state. Im currently section hiking the IAT with my kids so it was fun to read about a through hiker. I personally would rather take my time… I hope to get all 1200 miles hiked by the time my 6 year old graduates high school.
October 9, 2017
In 2013, Melanie Radzicki McManus set out to challenge the fastest known time record for a woman to complete a thru-hike on Wisconsin's 1,100 mile Ice Age Trail. The Ice Age Trail, along with the famed Appalachian Trail, is one of just 11 National Scenic Trails. The book chronicles McManus's attempt and her adventures along the Ice Age Trail. It is fun to follow her adventure, and the geological and historical descriptions of the Trail are very interesting. The book is well written, and McManus is a good storyteller, but I could have done without the multiple references and vivid, disgusting descriptions of bodily fluids in relation to the various ailments affecting her feet. I guess I am just not of the club where recreational enjoyment has to be painful, and such a race. Overall, an interesting tale, especially if you are a hiker.
May 31, 2019
I enjoyed this book about the Ice Age Trail through Wisconsin. I had previously enjoyed books about these kinds of travels, although some, like “Wild”, ended up being as much inner psychology as travelogue. There was some cross-mixing of those two focuses here, but this was more a mix of the history of the trail, some character studies of some of the hikers the author met, and the diary of the trek. I hadn’t heard of this trail, which I have likely crossed multiple times as it is near to home. The existence of this book piqued my interest in the trail, and reading the book made me even more interested. I’ve reached a certain age where I have more “freedom” to complete a grand adventure (while beginning to lose the “freedom” of movement of my joints), and this stoked that desire. Nicely done.
I most enjoyed the author’s stories of her crew, a set of family, friends, and acquaintances that helped her to set a speed hiking record for this trail. Despite plenty of planning, I don’t recall any of her helpers being perfect at meetups, drop offs, or prepping, but they all had their own kind of magic on the trail. Ending with her parents as her crew was quite an interesting gamble.
I most enjoyed the author’s stories of her crew, a set of family, friends, and acquaintances that helped her to set a speed hiking record for this trail. Despite plenty of planning, I don’t recall any of her helpers being perfect at meetups, drop offs, or prepping, but they all had their own kind of magic on the trail. Ending with her parents as her crew was quite an interesting gamble.
February 7, 2020
AUTHOR McManus, Melanie Radzicki
TITLE Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail
DATE READ 02/05/2020
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Nature/Adventure/2017/Audible/9hr 38 min
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 19/120; 1/3 Nature/Adventure Books
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2012 or so/WI
CHARACTERS Thru-Hiker Melanie Radzicki McManus
COMMENTS Prior to reading I was unaware of the Ice Age Trail. I may not have a desire to hike there but it was interesting to learn about it. I enjoyed how she combined history of the trail with her 1100 mile through hike. Her goal was to hike it in record time for a woman … she basically day hiked -- was met by husband, parents at night and stayed in homes/hotels. She reached her goal in 36 days.
TITLE Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail
DATE READ 02/05/2020
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Nature/Adventure/2017/Audible/9hr 38 min
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 19/120; 1/3 Nature/Adventure Books
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2012 or so/WI
CHARACTERS Thru-Hiker Melanie Radzicki McManus
COMMENTS Prior to reading I was unaware of the Ice Age Trail. I may not have a desire to hike there but it was interesting to learn about it. I enjoyed how she combined history of the trail with her 1100 mile through hike. Her goal was to hike it in record time for a woman … she basically day hiked -- was met by husband, parents at night and stayed in homes/hotels. She reached her goal in 36 days.
January 13, 2022
One of a handful of trail memoirs I've read. This one wasn't my favorite but scratched the itch to be transported (at least in my mind) to a long-distance hiking trail nevertheless. Rather than focusing only on her story and transformation, McManus spends significant time telling the stories of other Ice-Age hikers as well as hikers of other long-distance trails. After I read that she is a journalist by trade, this wasn't surprising. This piece did have a feel closer to long-form journalism than most memoirs, with less time spent on the kind of existential musings I've come to expect with trail memoirs. I think I could have appreciated it more if I went in expecting that. All in all, though this was a good read.
April 16, 2023
Moments of this were a little dry for my taste- but, admittedly, non-fiction is something I struggle with. I was really drawn into Melanie’s accounts on the trail and kept thinking, “what’s next?” Did I have teary eyes when she reached the Eastern terminus? You bet. The sheer will power to accomplish a dream like that.
June 8, 2020
I enjoyed Melanie’s story of hiking the Ice Age Trail. She hiked west to east and set a women’s speed record thru-hiking. She tells you not only her story but the story of those she met along the way and other well-known Ice Age Trail hikers. Not to mention the history and geology of the trail.
March 1, 2021
Ah, loved this! An unexpected delight! I appreciated how the author shared both her experience but other IAT hiker's experiences and some of the history of the trail. I also appreciated some of the similarities it has to the FT.
March 2, 2022
Would've been a 5 star book if she hadn't repeated information on multiple occasions...
November 23, 2019
This book had everything that I love. Hiking memoir, history, Wisconsin, AND geology.
June 25, 2017
I've hiked sections of the IAT and hope to do a lot more. I really enjoyed reading about the different areas of the trail that the author highlighted and reading about the other hikers she talked about. Learning some of the early history of the trail was also interesting.
August 24, 2021
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because I would've loved pictures and a better map with towns and sections listed.
August 28, 2017
This book is about a woman's thru-hike on the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. I met the author at a presentation at our local library and bought the book there. I am so glad I did! I have seen Ice Age Trail signs here and there during our travels in Wisconsin, but I never knew that it is an elite trail--only one of 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S. (The Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail being two others). The author details how the trail got its start and how the route was selected to follow the moraines left by the glaciers during the Ice Age. She also describes the journeys of others who have hiked the trail, including service men and women who now participate in the Warrior Hike program as a way to work their way through mental and physical war wounds. This was a very interesting read about a feature in our state that all Wisconsinites should be aware and proud of.
May 2, 2018
This book, in my humble opinion, is much,much better than Wild. Melanie McManus is a veteran hiker tackling a daunting trail, doing so with good-natured self-deprecation, humor, and a lot of trail smarts. My feet hurt along with hers.
September 5, 2017
The blurb for this book makes it sound WAY more exciting than it actually is, but it's still a good read IF you are an outdoor lover and can fathom doing something like through-hiking (I'm sorry, I refuse to write "thru-hiking" even if that is somehow an established convention) or even section-hiking a national scenic trail. If covering great distances on foot in the wilderness is not appealing, this ain't the book for you--there are no great personal epiphanies or anything like that to draw you in. McManus set the fastest known time record for a woman through-hiking the Ice Age Trail, and her book details that process, interspersed with some history (prehistoric and also more recent) and tales of other hikers she met along the way. I gave it an extra star just because I didn't know this trail existed--and so close to home! But the writing itself, likely designed to reach as wide and general an audience as possible and thereby raise the profile of the trail, didn't do much for me (there are too many sentences like this one: "Jenni’s feelings are as scrambled as the eggs in a country breakfast.").
October 26, 2018
A lot of stories within the author's own story. If it were her own, the book would be half as long. The additional stories are okay (my favorite was during the epilogue about the Warrior Hike bit), but I found myself tuning out on certain parts that just didn't hold my interest (listened on audiobook). It seemed a lot of description about the people who were helping her on her hike, physical/medical problems as a result of the hike (which is appreciated so hiking 1000 miles isn't glamorized and is presented for the grueling task that it is), and feeling pressured to perform and beat the clock, concerned about wasting time when she couldn't find the trailhead marker (that happened a lot), instead of purely enjoying the moment. It wasn't awful, it was just okay.
August 31, 2023
As someone who runs on the IAT periodically, grew up near the Pacific Crest Trail and has hiked some of the Appalachian, I enjoyed reading about her journey and the various anecdotes and features of other hikers. I felt like she rushed through the eastern part of the trail so that was somewhat disappointing. But I learned plenty. With that said, I definitely have no interest in hiking the entire IAT (or any other long distance trail) but am more curious about supporting a thru-hiker some day. I will keep in mind the Warrior Expeditions group to see if we might be interested in hosting one of their participants as they come through our neck of the woods.
July 24, 2017
I thought this was a really good book, but I might be biased because I have hiked over half of the Ice Age Trail and plan to finish next summer. It was fun to read about the segments I had already finished and get an idea of what was coming in segments I had yet to do. One of my favorite quotes from the book is the following: "He probably thinks the Ice Age Trail is this 3.1 mile La Budde Creek segment in his hometown. He doesn't get it. No one does." Many people in Wisconsin have no idea what the Ice Age Trail is and they don't get it.
January 4, 2022
It was interesting to hear about a little known trail but the telling was a bit dry. I think because Melanie had so very much support it was lacking very many eye-opening struggles and moments of deeper self-discovery. The descriptions of the trail itself and nature were very surface level as well. It was narrated in a way that made it seem as if something exciting was going to happen at every other sentence, but it rarely ever did. I listened to this while keeping busy doing other things. If I hadn't I don't think it would have come close to keeping my interest.
July 12, 2024
As someone (slowly) section hiking the IAT, I loved that this book not only gave some geology and history lessons of the different areas along the trail, but also bisected the story with other hikers she met along the way. I thought it was creative the way the stories intertwined. I also loved reading about segments I’ve just hiked and are fresh in my mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews