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Whistler's Walk: The Appalachian Trail in 142 Days
In Whistler's The Appalachian Trail in 142 Days, author Bill Monk brings readers his real-life, day-to-day account of hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety, from intense, necessary preparation at the start to the emotionally charged conclusion of summiting Mount Katahdin. Based on Monk's journal entries written daily along the way, readers are afforded the up-close and intimate privilege of witnessing his very real trials and triumphs, and each incredible, beautiful moment as he experienced it. Anyone who has hiked, or plans on hiking the Appalachian Trail, lovers of nature, and those who know what it's like to accomplish a seemingly insurmountable feat will relish the uplifting story of Monk's successful, 2,189-mile trek. With every milestone achieved throughout his life-changing, unbelievably difficult journey, Monk paints a magnificent portrait of the outdoors, and what it's like to fully immerse oneself in nature's glorious, awe-inspiring-and challenging-beauty.
- GenresNonfiction
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2018
191 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 14, 2024
i’m lowkey an AT head. mildly obsessed. i will never hike it but i love to pretend
May 23, 2021
A quick, easy, enjoyable journal-style read of an AT adventure that just felt right while on the trail.
June 24, 2018
I'm obsessed with any narrative describing through hiking the AT, so I appreciated the book from that standpoint. I also really enjoyed the photos. I love it when authors "call out" bad hostel hosts or poor conditions found in hotels or restaurants along the trail so others are warned. I congratulate and admire the author for his accomplishment in reaching Katahdin. I skipped over the "poems", cringed at some of the humor, but over all found this to be a good, descriptive and inspiring account of hiking the AT.
May 7, 2025
An inspiration
To anyone with the dream of thru-hiking the AT, this is a Must-read. Whistler captures such emotion in his words and has a knack for painting a picture on the page.
I aspire to do my thru-hike in 3 years and reading this book has given me so much to ponder in preparation for my own hike.
As for the literary quality of this book... I found myself both laughing out loud and weeping silently right along with the author. I don't often read auto-biographies but this was one i had trouble putting down.
To anyone with the dream of thru-hiking the AT, this is a Must-read. Whistler captures such emotion in his words and has a knack for painting a picture on the page.
I aspire to do my thru-hike in 3 years and reading this book has given me so much to ponder in preparation for my own hike.
As for the literary quality of this book... I found myself both laughing out loud and weeping silently right along with the author. I don't often read auto-biographies but this was one i had trouble putting down.
October 3, 2021
Great inspiration
I am currently hiking through the Blue Ridge mountains and needed to read hiking books of inspiration. This was an honest account of what it takes to hike the AT. Thought it could use more descriptions of the actual hikes ( pains of climbing, trials of the psychological struggle) , but it was well done. Glad Whistler made it, I won’t in this lifetime but nice to imagine this older body attacking such a challenge.
I am currently hiking through the Blue Ridge mountains and needed to read hiking books of inspiration. This was an honest account of what it takes to hike the AT. Thought it could use more descriptions of the actual hikes ( pains of climbing, trials of the psychological struggle) , but it was well done. Glad Whistler made it, I won’t in this lifetime but nice to imagine this older body attacking such a challenge.
April 5, 2024
I can imagine it is an interesting book for those who want to hike this trail as you learn a bit about places to eat or sleep. But as a reader, interested in adventures like this, it is quite boring. Just a factual day-to-day report, almost a checklist of miles (a countdown), places to eat and shelters to sleep. But without any depth. No description of feelings, no description of the surroundings (nature, landscapes). Almost no mentions of personal insights (just very briefly)...
October 1, 2020
Quick Entertaining Read
Whistler provides a view into the experience of a NoBo thru hiker on the AT. He is relatable and shares the beauty and enormity of the trip in words. It was as great traveling along with Whistler and Scooby (for a good part of the journey). Thanks for taking me there!
Whistler provides a view into the experience of a NoBo thru hiker on the AT. He is relatable and shares the beauty and enormity of the trip in words. It was as great traveling along with Whistler and Scooby (for a good part of the journey). Thanks for taking me there!
November 22, 2020
Well worth the read.
Whistler's journal of his walk on the AT is straightforward and informative. It is his telling of the time he spent upon the trail, his experiences, hardships, easy times and quick reflections on it. It is an engaging book that I read straight through and I found helpful in my on prep of preparing for th AT. Good Job Whistler!
Whistler's journal of his walk on the AT is straightforward and informative. It is his telling of the time he spent upon the trail, his experiences, hardships, easy times and quick reflections on it. It is an engaging book that I read straight through and I found helpful in my on prep of preparing for th AT. Good Job Whistler!
January 4, 2021
A bliss, and inspiration to read.
I am thankful for the inspiration of this read.Whistler's positive attitude and gratitude makes for a refreshing reflection on our world as a whole. He seems to find the beauty in each person and place that he encountered. I really enjoyed his writings. I feel a better person in myself, by partaking!
I am thankful for the inspiration of this read.Whistler's positive attitude and gratitude makes for a refreshing reflection on our world as a whole. He seems to find the beauty in each person and place that he encountered. I really enjoyed his writings. I feel a better person in myself, by partaking!
November 18, 2022
Whistler's First Book describing his AT thru-hike. I like that he generally doesn't exaggerate the difficulties of certain infamous sections of the trail the way many do. He talks about difficulties, and there are many, but doesn't make a difficult climb up a 5000 foot mountain sound like he scaled Everest.
October 20, 2025
An enjoyable read.
Whistler's Walk was an enjoyable read. Notably a clean read without the degradation of scrappy talk where words that are expletives are used as verbs,adverbs,nouns, etc. This is a clean read about a real challenge. My only reservation is about the diet of PopTarts for breakfast! I wonder if we will get a book on Scooby Doo the AT? Thank you all.
Whistler's Walk was an enjoyable read. Notably a clean read without the degradation of scrappy talk where words that are expletives are used as verbs,adverbs,nouns, etc. This is a clean read about a real challenge. My only reservation is about the diet of PopTarts for breakfast! I wonder if we will get a book on Scooby Doo the AT? Thank you all.
June 5, 2018
Whistler on the AT
Best book about hiking the Appalachian Trail I have read (I have read quite a few)! Well written and very down to earth! Good luck to Whistler on his hike of the PCT! I look forward to reading about it!
Best book about hiking the Appalachian Trail I have read (I have read quite a few)! Well written and very down to earth! Good luck to Whistler on his hike of the PCT! I look forward to reading about it!
June 28, 2018
Another Great AT book
A really good read! I'm not much into poetry, but Whistler can write them at just the right moment.5 stars story& poetry. Especially like his interest & approval of the younger generation that do this great adventure.
A really good read! I'm not much into poetry, but Whistler can write them at just the right moment.5 stars story& poetry. Especially like his interest & approval of the younger generation that do this great adventure.
July 24, 2018
Very enlightening and positive read.
For me this book was engaging and thoughtful. I would say written in a very positive attitude. If you want to hike please read and understand what he is saying.
For me this book was engaging and thoughtful. I would say written in a very positive attitude. If you want to hike please read and understand what he is saying.
December 14, 2019
Great story, short on details
Enjoyed reading about Whistler’s journey, but no significant help in planning. It was interesting to see how hard he pushed - not sure I would push that hard and miss out on smelling the roses along the way, but HYOH!
Enjoyed reading about Whistler’s journey, but no significant help in planning. It was interesting to see how hard he pushed - not sure I would push that hard and miss out on smelling the roses along the way, but HYOH!
February 23, 2020
Really easy read and I definitely enjoyed the book. I know my rating is a little light. I would have liked more understanding of the mindset in Whistler vs just the daily accounts. I know that isn’t how it is written, but it could have been great.
October 4, 2020
An amazing book puts you almost on the trail yourself.
As the first book I chose to read, I enjoyed every day til the end. I'm looking forward to finding the next trail. Thank you Whistler
As the first book I chose to read, I enjoyed every day til the end. I'm looking forward to finding the next trail. Thank you Whistler
June 22, 2021
One of the best!
Whistler's Walk is one of the best books I have read on the AT. Entertaining, informative, and easy to read with great photographs throughout the daily journal. Thank you for sharing your thru-hike with us!
Whistler's Walk is one of the best books I have read on the AT. Entertaining, informative, and easy to read with great photographs throughout the daily journal. Thank you for sharing your thru-hike with us!
November 27, 2021
Great hike!
Reading moved along very quickly. Great hike, loved the read. Could have used a few more pics and more description of those you met on the trail, but overall, excellent book, i enjoyed it !!!
Reading moved along very quickly. Great hike, loved the read. Could have used a few more pics and more description of those you met on the trail, but overall, excellent book, i enjoyed it !!!
December 31, 2021
I’m just starting to become interested in all things Appalachian Trail so there were many things I loved about this book. The author/hiker lives in Nova Scotia, the was short and sweet but it also included lost of great information that could be used if planning a thru or section hike!
February 13, 2022
Great Story
This book was a fun , interesting, and well written way to experience the Appalachian Trail, while in the comfort of your own home. I loved reading about the author's real experiences of his hike. I hope he writes a second book. I would definitely read it.
This book was a fun , interesting, and well written way to experience the Appalachian Trail, while in the comfort of your own home. I loved reading about the author's real experiences of his hike. I hope he writes a second book. I would definitely read it.
March 27, 2023
Not enough information
This is all about Whistler. If you're looking for information on how to hike the AT, this is not the book. I'd give it one star, I'm giving him 2 because he completed the trail.
This is all about Whistler. If you're looking for information on how to hike the AT, this is not the book. I'd give it one star, I'm giving him 2 because he completed the trail.
August 1, 2024
We met the author of this book last August at a brewery in Nova Scotia and bought the book directly from him. Kevin and I both just read it and hope to see him in the next few days and get his next book since we are back in the area. Incredible journey!!
January 7, 2019
Thank you
After some disappointing books from the-hikers I must say this one motivates me for my 2020 attempt, thanks again for this.
After some disappointing books from the-hikers I must say this one motivates me for my 2020 attempt, thanks again for this.
February 10, 2019
Wonderful Book
I enjoyed reading Whistler’s Walk, as I aspire to hike the AT someday. It is an inspiring tale of how people come together, and help one achieve an individual goal.
I enjoyed reading Whistler’s Walk, as I aspire to hike the AT someday. It is an inspiring tale of how people come together, and help one achieve an individual goal.
July 7, 2019
Solid read, much the same as any book about the AT...
February 9, 2020
seven word review = Thru hiker's refrain; No rain, No Maine!
April 9, 2020
Attention keeper.
Great book to read, with great advice if you plan on hiking the AT. I like the book because it kept your interest and it was an easy read..
Great book to read, with great advice if you plan on hiking the AT. I like the book because it kept your interest and it was an easy read..
July 2, 2020
Another great trail memoir
I have read over a dozen trail memoirs. This one is done well and adds some perspective to the trail I haven't had before. Recommended
I have read over a dozen trail memoirs. This one is done well and adds some perspective to the trail I haven't had before. Recommended
August 4, 2020
A genuine account on the AT
I loved the simple perspective “Whistler” gave and his lighthearted approach towards everything the trail and life had to offer.
I loved the simple perspective “Whistler” gave and his lighthearted approach towards everything the trail and life had to offer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews