When You Find My Body: The Disappearance of Geraldine Largay on the Appalachian Trail

by D. Dauphinee

When Geraldine “Gerry” Largay (AT trail name, Inchworm) first went missing on the Appalachian Trail in remote western Maine in 2013, the people of Maine were wrought with concern. When she was not found, the family, the wardens, and the Navy personnel who searched for her were devastated. The Maine Warden Service continued to follow leads for more than a year. They never completely gave up the search. Two years after her disappearance, her bones and scattered possessions were found by chance by two surveyors. She was on the U.S. Navy’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) School land, about 2,100 feet from the Appalachian Trail. This book tells the story of events preceding Geraldine Largay’s vanishing in July 2013, while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine, what caused her to go astray, and the massive search and rescue operation that followed. Her disappearance sparked the largest lost-person search in Maine history, which culminated in her being presumed dead. She was never again seen alive. The author was one of the hundreds of volunteers who searched for her. Gerry’s story is one of heartbreak, most assuredly, but is also one of perseverance, determination, and faith. For her family and the searchers, especially the Maine Warden Service, it is also a story of grave sorrow. Marrying the joys and hardship of life in the outdoors, as well as exploring the search & rescue community, When You Find My Body examines dying with grace and dignity. There are lessons in the story, both large and small. Lessons that may well save lives in the future.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, True Crime, Audiobook, Outdoors, Nature, Travel

208 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2019

About the author

Dee is an American author of novels, biographies, and essays. His writing has gained a following with readers interested in the out-of-doors, history, travel, human interest, fly fishing, and the construction of essays. He has been a farmer, a photographer, a fishing & mountaineering guide, and an orthopaedic physician’s assistant. For seven years he was a semi-pro wide receiver in the Canadian Football League’s farm system, and in the Eastern Football League. Dee has lived in Europe and South America.
Dee was born with wanderlust in Bangor, Maine. After graduating from high school, he made his way to Wyoming. He spent the next decade splitting his time between Jackson Hole, WY, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Living in Jackson Hole in the 1980's was Heaven, he recalls...he was climbing mountains or fly fishing every second he could. Photography and climbing too Dee to many places including El Salvador, Peru, the Arctic, throughout Europe, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, Ecuador, Jordan, the UK, Panama, Lebanon, Kenya, Algeria, Columbia, and many places in between where he did contract and spec work for several media outlets, including United Press International.
Dee has led or co-led mountaineering, desert, and jungle expeditions on 5 continents, and has climbed above 20,000 feet above sea level fourteen times; at one time, more than any Maine native. He has been involved in several state and international Search & Rescue teams.
Dee has contributed articles, photographs, and essays to many periodicals for thirty years, including National Geographic, The Canadian Geographic, Outside Magazine, Mariah, Backpacker, Climbing, and Ascent, magazines, to name only a few.
Dee has had two books published by North Country Press; Stoneflies & Turtleheads, a collection of fly-fishing essays from Maine and around the world, and The River Home, a novel. Highlanders Without Kilts, an award-winning historical fiction about a Canadian family’s ordeal during WWI and a Nova Scotia battalion’s odyssey in that war was released May 2015 by Kicking Pig Press. Dee’s new book, When You Find My Body, is about Appalachian Trail hiker Geraldine Largay who became lost in Maine in 2013. Despite the largest manhunt in Maine’s history, Gerry was not found, and she perished. It was released in June 2019 by Rowman & Littlefield (Globe Pequot Press). By the second week of June 2019, it was recorded on two Bestseller lists.

Dee lives in Middle Maine with his wife and two children, who all hike and fish.

Dee is represented by Janklow & Nesbit Literary Agency.

Reviews

[jv poore · Rating 2 out of 5]

My feelings are undoubtedly affected by my confused frustration whenever someone is forever lost in the wild (in the U.S.). It seems to always be presented as a unique circumstance, where sure, mistakes were made, but it's never anyone's fault. There seems to be a recurring theme of different agencies not working well together, if at all.

But, what really struck me in WHEN YOU FIND MY BODY is that the experts seem to forget that they are indeed, experts. That which they've learned becomes "common sense" to them. So much so, that they don't even realize how useless their advice is.

The searchers seemed stuck on reiterating that lost people should stay put. Which is EXACTLY what Gerry did, but only after realizing/accepting/understanding that she was lost. Neither wardens nor Search and Rescue members seem to address the glaring of issue that someone must first invariably wander in order to get lost.

I'm probably projecting but, the author seemed to continue to state that none of this was the hiker's fault, but with an undertone of "if only she would have..."

I have never been in the woods in Maine, but I did grow up roaming the wilds of West Virginia & I've done pieces of the Appalachian Trail. To me, it takes actually witnessing the mind-boggling variances of this "trail" to truly understand what a hiker will be getting into. "Trail" here can mean anything from a practically paved walkway through some gorgeous trees to a barely-marked descent down a mountain of slippery boulders. It's like some "roads" in WV can be traversed on an ATV only.

I think I'm just not very bright because I don't understand why the system is supposed to work when you have only experts and novices. It seems to be too big of a disconnect to me.

I just saw this book in Barnes and Noble. In the True Crime section. I dislike purchasing books that have been labeled True Crime only to read them and realize the absence of any criminal activity whatsoever.

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerry Largay had a dream to hike the Appalachian Trail and at age sixty-six she was thrilled to finally be doing it. She’d started out hiking with her good friend Jane Lee, and Gerry’s husband George served as support crew. Part way through the journey Jane had a family emergency and had to return home. Gerry decided to hike on alone. She and George met and made friends with many hikers along the way, as George dropped her off and hiked in part way with her some mornings, and drove ahead to the next crossroad meeting spot then hiked in and met her.


Then, there was the fateful day when Geraldine became lost along the trail and everything changed.

I found this to be a very well written book and a very good read. Readers of Strayed’s ‘WILD’ would likely enjoy it, but the sad ending is obviously there. The book showed a great deal of research was involved and that made it very interesting to me, as I am happy as long as I’m learning new things. This had plenty of that in it on many subjects. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author D. Dauphinee, and the publisher.

My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is extremely slow going. I thought it was true crime when I requested it on NG about three thousand years ago. Yes I know I know don’t judge me you don’t know my life! Lol (I haven’t requested anything in ages yet I got an email with Alison weir’s newest book from the marketing dept and like I’m going to say no thank you to that!; just to spread my good fortune I think I’ve gotten almost every one of her latest releases for the last couple of years free because I 💜 her she is my favorite.) anyway, I digress. So far I’m 20% in and all I know (and this happens in the first few pages so not a spoiler) bones were found off trail then it jumps in time and I now know tons of stuff about the AT. Did no one tell this woman “fresh air is for dead people” but esp for lone women? SMH
To continue this is “unfortunate “. A word I see used quite a bit at work. She must have been scared to death and yet she continued to stay positive to the end and keep her faith in God. I dont know how many of us could do that. But the one thing that made no sense to me and maybe I just missed it, but she never yelled out HELP IM HERE OVER HERE I NEED HELP IM LOST CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME. It must be frickin scary as shit on the AT and that’s why I stay indoors and read thousands of books. That way when I haven’t shown up for work (and they will know immediately) they will come to my apt. I sent a pic of the crypt keeper to my boss the other day and said this will be me when I’m dead and you will still tell me I have to come in. She replied well yes because we will probably need you. And Gerry was needed. But she should not have been alone. When her partner walked out she should have stopped. There was just too much against her.

[gnarlyhiker · Rating 1 out of 5]

A family member, preferably her husband, should have written about the disappearance of Geraldine Largay. It is interesting to note that her family did not participate in this book. A good portion of the topics in this book was unnecessary. Just two examples: the numerous calls from psychics, what they said and how wrong they were, and pointing the blame for her disappearance at her husband: pointless and tacky. But let’s add insult to injury, Mrs. Largay’s getting lost and being lost boils down to the fact that she didn’t have a compass and had no sense of direction, and she didn’t carry her SPOT Satellite because it was too heavy and she really didn’t know how to use it. This last bit would have been best related from her husband, because at this point it’s all pure speculation.

good luck

**ARC/Netgalley

[- The Polybrary - · Rating 3 out of 5]

When You Find My Body is the story of Geraldine (Gerry) Largay, an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker who disappeared in 2013. I was very excited to see this book is coming out, as my husband and I are avid hikers and I distinctly remember hearing about her disappearance and wondering if we would ever find out what happened to her.

First of all: this book is being marketed as a thriller and or true crime. WHAT?!? It is neither of those, least of all true crime. There was no crime committed here! None! Nothing at all! This is a complete misnomer and will undoubtedly lead to a LOT of disappointed readers. I went into this expecting something like an Ann Rule book, as I didn’t actually know what had happened to Gerry and it said true crime. I was at first very irritated, but decided that it probably isn’t the author’s fault and I really wanted to read Gerry’s story regardless. I’m glad I did, but just be forewarned. NOT A TRUE CRIME OR THRILLER.

The author gives a lot of background information on Gerry, which I was very glad to read. It made her seem more like a real person and less like a statistic. It was also rather sad, as clearly her husband, children, and grandchildren miss her deeply. Gerry touched a lot of lives not only in her “regular” life but also in her life on the Appalachian Trail, where she was known as Inchworm. I loved that she clearly had a sense of humor and could laugh at herself, as she was one of the slower hikers on the trail.

One thing that really was a drawback to this book was the amount of time the author spent on things that had very little relation to Gerry, her family, or her disastrous hike. In one case several pages are spent going over details about the Navy SERE school…totally unnecessary. There is also a lot of background on the AT itself and how it came to be, which might be considered unnecessary as well, but I think gives a really nice look into the history and motivations of people who hike the trail, both in the past and present.

Gerry’s story in the end is a real tragedy, especially when reading how – if she had possibly been better prepared – it most likely would have been avoided all together. I’m sure the author and her family hope that from the writing of this book, people will go out better equipped for whatever adventures in the outdoors they might seek.

3.5/5 stars.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram |

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine Largay hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2013. That's where she disappeared. She was presumed dead after a year of searches produced no body, no clues to what happened. This case became the largest lost-person search in Maine history.

Two years after her disappearance , her bones and scattered possessions were found by chance. She was on the U.S. Navy’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) School land, about 2,100 feet from the Appalachian Trail.

This author was one of the hundreds of volunteers who searched for her.

This book tells the story of events preceding Geraldine's vanishing, and what went wrong, and describes the massage search and rescue operation that followed her disappearance.

This is a well-written account of not only the victim, but of the sorrow of an entire community, the saddened hearts of those who searched and searched and never gave up looking.

Many thanks to the author / Rowman & Littlefield - Down East Books / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this Biography/Memoir. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book that any hiker or person that enters the woods should read.
Without being boring or lecturing the reader it makes very clear that basic skills like being able to use a compass and know how to start a fire etc can prevent a terrible outcome. Just following the one rule to not move as soon as you notice that you are lost, if you don't have survival skills, will most likely lead to a better ending.

It tells the story of Gerry and George, a wonderful couple, that make her big dream of hiking the AT come true. The preparations, the hike, her getting lost, all the rescue attempts and emotions of some the unsuccessful rescue members. Without blaming her or other hikers it shows that basic survival knowledge is imperative for anyone exploring nature and that it can make all the difference.

I was a bit disappointed that Gerry's family didn't seem to support this book as it is also a hommage to a wonderful woman.

I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Rowman & Littlefield and the author provided me with an advance copy.

[Aubri · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the story was very interesting, I grew very weary of the author's personal, unanchored commentary. There was no evidence provided for why I should think of him as a content expert. He made many broad sweeping statements with no foundation in research, science, or reality. I didn't read this book to hear a Mainer complain about 'the kids these days and their newfangled phones and GPS,' and point to this as the primary reason for people getting lost in the backcountry. He shows disdain and disgust for people who use GPS, even when engaging in SAR work. The book couldn't seem to decide what it was: it dabled in biography, wilderness survival, history, and local politics. It meandered and progressed very slowly; it could have been half the length it was and told a better story.

The author's personal commentary was also deeply rooted in white patriarchal and misogynistic culture (e.g., men shouldn't cry, they must be strong and stoic), which substantially grated after 200+ pages. I would have enjoyed this book much more if the author kept himself out of Gerry's biography.

There also seemed to be a large disconnect between this author and the thru-hiking community; he didn't seem to grasp how thru-hiking works, in terms of gear, equipment, and preparation. While I agree anyone hiking in the Whites and Maine should have at least rudimentary bushcraft and map reading skills, they aren't easy to acquire or keep fresh, and aren't even close to necessary on 95%+ of the AT. The author complains at long length about how people don't know these things, but also provides no suggestions on how people who don't live in ME or NH might learn such skills. He doesn't recommend any books, movies, or courses, but instead simply complains, making broad sweeping assumptions about thru-hikers based on whether or not they carry paper maps and a compass.

Because he doesn't use phone- or GPS- based tools, he isn't able to integrate the existing GPS tools into his narrative. If Gerry had installed Guthook or a GPS program on her phone (and downloaded the maps prior to leaving cell coverage), she would have had an excellent idea of exactly where she was and how to get out. And that would have utilized items she already had with her.

In the end, the author felt somewhat unsympathetic to Gerry's plight, or her husband's. He seemed intent on figuring out exactly how it happened so as to prevent it from ever happening again, but there wasn't clear data on exactly what happened and so he speculated. By the end, I was weary of the author's disjointed flight into speculation to sooth his discomfort of the unknown.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed account of a truhiker who got lost towards the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Dauphinee tracks Gerry Largay’s last days and researches what missteps may have caused her disappearance and why search and rescue for her may have resulted in failure despite all the laborious efforts. It goes off on tangents several times so a slow cautionary tale for all outdoorsy folks wandering in the woods.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the local AT thru hikers, AKA Blueberry, mentioned that she read this book in one day. It took me two days complete, the same as my wife who read it immediately after I did. The book is well phrased, and the author has the credentials to do a thorough job of bring the story forward.

I recommended to anyone, experienced hikers and outdoors folks as well as those who hold that that a long hike on Appalachian Trail is a piece of cake. In any given year approximately 30 people get lost while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Sadly, 66 year old Geraldine Largay was one of them in 2013, when she had the misfortune of wandering 2 miles off the AT in Maine after she became disoriented when stepping into the woods off the AT to urinate.

I read all 39 comments about the book here in Goodreads. I am left wondering whether some of the reviewers read the same book that I did ! For example there were comments that Ms. Largay did nothing wrong, that she waited patiently in place for 26 days for a rescue that never came despite the coordinated efforts of hundreds of searchers doing close coordinated searches of the area on multiple occasions

As a former thru hiker of the AT who has since obtained his Maine Guide’s license I have received training on lost person behavior and I have also experienced the anxiety being left behind and/or temporarily disoriented myself at times. Ms. Largay was missing two specific skills that might have saved her life: land navigation and fire building. Her body was eventually found after keeping herself alive for 26 days while in possession of a compass and a map of the area. Ms. Largay had a lighter with her but the postmortem site analysis revealed that she was not able to maintain a fire large or long enough to call attention to her location.

Since Ms. Largay’s death I have added a satellite based communication device ( Garmin InReach) to my day hike pack, as an emergency back up. I pay 12 dollars a month for the subscription as I am out in all seasons. I’m not getting any younger and things do go wrong in unexpected ways in the wood and waters of Maine.

I also orient myself with a compass and map and complete a “handrail check” before I enter the woods or a large body of water. A handrail is a feature or landmark that leads towards your destination and one that you can follow or keep within sight. It can be man made or natural. For example, if Ms. Largay had done this, she would have known that Maine Route 27 was directly east of the section of the AT where she became lost. She might not have been able to see the Northeast handrail of Sugarloaf Mountain through the dense foliage, but that big old sun came up directly from the east on each of those 26 days that she was waiting for help. Route 27 was 11 miles directly from her location, and while she might not have been able to get there in one of even two days, she might have recognized the AT as she would have to cross it on her way to the highway.

Smart phone's GPS/ mapping systems are great tools that I use myself, but Ms. Largay’s sad story only drives home the fact that rudimentary map/compass and navigation skills are necessary when all else, including our sense of direction fails us.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tragic story of a woman solo-hiking the Appalachian Trail who left the trail to pee and whose body wasn't found for more than two years. I found the structure of the book plodding at times. The author spends a lot of words on extraneous details such as the personal lives of rescue personnel, the backstory of the AT, tips for not getting lost in woods, etc. There was a whole chapter about unhelpful calls from psychics, which I found baffling. Why include this at all?

I wished for more detail about Geraldine's hike before she got lost, a little more of her backstory, and more in-depth analysis of the search. I realize this is nonfiction and the author doesn't always have access to the information necessary to build a more compelling character arc and narrative. Still, without this, the book feels disjointed. This story had the potential to be written as a haunting mystery, but instead comes across as a lecture about why anyone who ventures outdoors should learn bushcraft and how to read a map. This of course isn't bad advice; I suppose I was just expecting more from a book about the seemingly extremely unlikely event of wandering a few miles away from a popular trail in the eastern United States and not being found for two years.

[Linden Collie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have just read the wiki page on this instead. The book starts off with the author declaring that he has tried really hard to write an unbiased and nonjudgmental book. Then he spends 180 pages speculating and judging and inserting his personal opinion. I picked this up to read about Gerry “Inchworm” Lagray, her history, her route, her family, and her untimely death as a result of getting turned around on the Appalachian Trail. While this book did touch on who Gerry was, so much of it was speculation and opinions from the author. :((((((

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days, I could not put it down. It tells the heartbreaking story of Geraldine Largay, who disappeared while hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2013. Even though, I knew the outcome, I was riveted to the story. It is a biography, search and rescue story, and a story about accepting death with grace and dignity all rolled into one. The one image that both haunts and comforts me is of Geraldine alone on her ridge, in her tent, praying her rosary and writing love notes to her friends and family in her diary. Highly recommend.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

One day I hope to hike the Appalachian Trail (when times in the USA are less turbulent..), so I love to read hiking stories. It was time to read about something less positive than my usual AT-reads, the events surrounding the disappearance of Inchworm (trail name) and the search for her body. While this book was a good reminder to make sure I learn basic survival skills, it was also quite slow to read. I wish there was more involvement of the family in the telling of the story, especially Inchworm's husband. The author has a lot of "kids these days" opinions, which gets tiring after a few chapters..

[Dianna Weigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent account of the events leading up to the disappearance of Appalachian Trail hiker Geraldine Largay and the subsequent two-year search efforts by Maine officials, rescue teams, volunteers and the trail community to locate her. The author, Mr. Dauphinee, clearly presents the facts, provides insight from members of the search teams, other AT hikers and Geraldine’s friends. Dauphinee, an accomplished outdoorsman himself, walks the reader through what Geraldine’s last days may have been like and what efforts she may have made to rescue herself. This is a compassionate and respectful accounting of how one woman’s tragic end brought together a community. I read this in one sitting. I could not stop reading.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing telling of a Maine tragedy by a top notch researcher and experienced search-and-rescuer. Dauphinee's experiences are key to his ability to tell this story and to connect so deeply with the folks who lived it. As a Mainer and lover of the outdoors, I was keen to read this book and wasn't disappointed. I appreciated the complete respect for Gerry despite her tragic circumstances and the ultimate message to respect the wilderness and to be solidly prepared for anything when you enter it.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful, interesting read. Geraldine Largay stepped off the Appalachian Trail in the deep woods of Western Maine in July 2013 and set off a massive manhunt to find her. Sadly, she wasn't found until her remains were found about a half mile from the trail by surveyors in autumn 2015. This book's author, D. Dauphinee does an incredible job celebrating Inchworm's (her trail name) life, how she ended up on the AT, and piecing together what happened when she got lost.

Additionally, Dauphinee dives deep into how people get lost (and most get recovered) in Maine and what happened in this instance that led to such a tragic ending. Ultimately, he's honest about the facts that while the rescuers did just about all they could, Inchworm likely would have survived and been found if she'd known what to do when she got turned around and had basic survival skills/tools (ability/desire to build a fire, not going to far when lost, navigation skills).

For a short book, this really covers a lot of ground and walks the fine line of honoring Inchworm's legacy while also explaining why she died. Hopefully this will inspire/prompt others to make small changes to their outdoor experiences to better prepare for circumstances like Inchworm's. I know I'll definitely be polishing up on my compass and fire-building skills.

[Sheri Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being unfamiliar with the story of Gerry Largay and the Appalachian Trail but a true crime and mystery fan, I was excited to read this book. This story is a sad one and a cautionary tale to hikers everywhere. Not being a hiker myself, I learned some interesting tidbits and was surprised at some of the statistics quoted on how people prepare before undertaking a challenging trail.

The book is a quick read but I was mildly disappointed with the structure of the writing. I would have loved to have been drawn into more of a mystery but, truthfully, there wasn't much of one here and, with little to go on, leaves one to speculate, in the end. The structure and flow felt jerky at times but I kept reading because I was interested in the story.

I do think those that partake in hiking will find this an interesting read and one that can benefit any who venture out into the forests of America. While not a gripping style, the story is one that serves to benefit other hikers, in the end.

*I received this ebook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Su Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books, not only this year, but period. It takes a lot for a book to make me emotional, this book touched me deeply. Gerry Largay went missing on the AT in July 2103. Her story is heart wrenching, but this book is NOT an exploitation of her misadventure; it is a tribute to her attitude toward life. Gerry will live on in this wonderful book. Her story has inspired my family to take a survival class and set out on the trail together. My son has been asking me to take him hiking, but I felt uncomfortable with my skills. Now we are preparing ourselves for our first of many hikes to come. Thank you to Gerry and her family for sharing her story and to Denis for doing such a fantastic job presenting it in his book. Everyone should read this book!

[Heather Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you thinking about hiking the Appalachian Trail- read this book. Do you wish hiking the AT was something you could do- read this book. Do you enjoy hearing about empowering women who hike the trail - read this book!
This book absolutely brought a few ACTUAL tears to my eyes. But in the same tears - how lucky Inchworm was able to do something she had always wanted - how many of us can say that!

[Erin Mahmood · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sad story of lost AT hiker, Gerry Largay. Many lessons to be learned from her death, mainly what to do if you are lost in the woods AND how to enjoy the woods without getting lost. A must read for those who spend time in the woods, particularly for those who do not know basic woodcraft (compass and map use, fire starting, basic survival skills). May the story of her death save someone else’s life.

[Rob Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tragic and fascinating story for the AT community, but just wasn't that impressed with the writing. There just wasn't enough detail when you wanted it, and strange references at other times that weren't properly written into context. The story is worth reading though.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself is heartbreaking, and I am thankful to have read this book, just for the sake of understanding how anyone could get lost while hiking in the dense Maine woods.

The writing, however, was not very good.

[Jack Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story. It’s not only about a lost hiker: it’s also about an inspiring women, a fascinating navy base deep in the Maine woods, a complex search and rescue operation, and the culture of the AT. A must read for any outdoor enthusiast!

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been interested in the Appalachian trail since I first heard about it in the late 90's, and have even backpacked some of it. This story saddens me as I can relate (as many hikers can) to the drive and determination that puts someone out there in the woods with few creature comfort. It reminds me that no matter how prepared one is, things can still go wrong. Hindsight is 20/20. If I ever decide to go backpacking again, I will take some of the lessons learned in this book with me. My heart goes out to her family, all the people involved in her search and all the people that she touched along the way. Well written book.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
When You Find My Body
The Disappearance of Geraldine Largay on the Appalachian Trail
By D. Dauphinee
This book covers the fascinating and completely tragic tale of “Inchworm” Gerry Largay’s trek across the Appalachian Trail and her death.
Being from the Midwest, I have heard of the AT but certainly did not know any intimate details regarding it. I enjoyed so much of this book.
I realized how unprepared so many people are for attempting a thru-hike. I was truly astonished at how hard a rescue effort is in an environment like the Maine section of the AT.
Dauphinee thoroughly explores the history and building of the trail; as well as the many dangers associated with attempting a thru-hike.
I felt the love Gerry showed her family, friends and every person she ever met. This is just an incredible story that is extremely well-written. I so very highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #WHenYouFIndMyBody #NetGalley

[Mikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although an incredibly sad and tragic story, the main takeaway is about a wonderfully warm, smart, resilient woman who faced death with an incredible amount of dignity. And the devoted team of search and rescuers who looked for her tirelessly. The gift that Geraldine has given me is to teach me that I will never head into the woods, even for the shortest of hikes, without a compass ( that I know how to use) and some basic survival knowledge.

[Dan Forret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, this book goes into a lot of detail on background of the search as well as everything leading up to Geraldine going missing. As well, research was done on a lot of who was involved and how the players came together. I really enjoyed this and although tragic that Geraldine was not found in time to rescue her, at least her body was found to give the family some closure. I will probably read this again sometime down the road.

[Alexis Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

kinda slow and all over the place but some interesting history of the AT and survival/SAR information. not as much specific information about Gerry as i was looking for. was excited to read it but found that for me it dragged.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking account of Gerry Largay's disappearance as she was hiking the AT. Where she eventually made her final camp was only 43 minutes, walking slowly, from the Appalachian Trail and the many, many people who were looking for her. But she had no idea where she was and no clue how to get back to the trail.

"The less reliance on technology in the woods, the better. Period. The more educated we can become about what to do if lost, the better." If you take anything from this book, let it be these two directives: always carry a compass and know how to use it, and walk downstream if you're lost in the lower 48 states (that is, if you didn't stay put like you should have done when you realized you were lost....).

In the end, Gerry's story may save others who heed this advice.