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Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home
By age 25, Heather Anderson had hiked what is known as the "Triple Crown" of backpacking: the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT)—a combined distance of 7,900 miles with a vertical gain of more than one million feet. A few years later, she left her job, her marriage, and a dissatisfied life and walked back into those mountains.
In her new memoir, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, Heather, whose trail name is "Anish," conveys not only her athleticism and wilderness adventures, but also shares her distinct message of courage--her willingness to turn away from the predictability of a more traditional life in an effort to seek out what most fulfills her. Amid the rigors of the trail--pain, fear, loneliness, and dangers--she discovers the greater rewards of community and of self, conquering her doubts and building confidence. Ultimately, she realizes that records are merely a catalyst, giving her purpose, focus, and a goal to strive toward. (Mountaineers Books)
In her new memoir, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, Heather, whose trail name is "Anish," conveys not only her athleticism and wilderness adventures, but also shares her distinct message of courage--her willingness to turn away from the predictability of a more traditional life in an effort to seek out what most fulfills her. Amid the rigors of the trail--pain, fear, loneliness, and dangers--she discovers the greater rewards of community and of self, conquering her doubts and building confidence. Ultimately, she realizes that records are merely a catalyst, giving her purpose, focus, and a goal to strive toward. (Mountaineers Books)
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2019
About the author
Heather Anish Anderson
4 books247 followersNational Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Heather Anderson is the only woman who has completed the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails each three times. This includes her historic Calendar Year Triple Crown hike in 2018 when she hiked all three of those trails in one March-November season, making her the first female to do so.
She also holds the overall self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail (2013)–hiking it in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 min, which broke the previous men’s record by four days and established the first female record. She also holds the female self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail (2015) in a time of 54 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes, and the Arizona Trail (2016) which she completed in 19 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes.
She has hiked over 40,000 miles since 2003 including 15 thru-hikes. She is also an avid mountaineer and peakbagger working on several ascent lists in the US and abroad.
As a professional speaker, Heather speaks regularly about her adventures and the lessons learned on trail. She is the author of Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home (chronicling her Pacific Crest Trail record) and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail (2021) about her 2015 AT record.
To stay up-to date on events, book releases and more sign up for Heather's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g_Tt5D
As a welcome bonus you'll receive a deleted chapter from her first book, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home …available only to newsletter subscribers!
She also holds the overall self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail (2013)–hiking it in 60 days, 17 hours, 12 min, which broke the previous men’s record by four days and established the first female record. She also holds the female self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail (2015) in a time of 54 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes, and the Arizona Trail (2016) which she completed in 19 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes.
She has hiked over 40,000 miles since 2003 including 15 thru-hikes. She is also an avid mountaineer and peakbagger working on several ascent lists in the US and abroad.
As a professional speaker, Heather speaks regularly about her adventures and the lessons learned on trail. She is the author of Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home (chronicling her Pacific Crest Trail record) and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail (2021) about her 2015 AT record.
To stay up-to date on events, book releases and more sign up for Heather's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g_Tt5D
As a welcome bonus you'll receive a deleted chapter from her first book, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home …available only to newsletter subscribers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 660 reviews
September 22, 2019
The title 'Thirst' is appropriate because I found myself scoffing at the risks she was taking with her water throughout the whole book. She often doesn't carry enough water for her speed & distance, or she is so rushed for time that she doesn't properly purify her water towards the end of the hike. She also mentions how before she even begins her FKT attempt, she has anemia and was ill. She doesn't eat enough calories and other hikers were even mentioning 'Is that all you're eating?' when she stops to eat a salad with them. Halfway through the book, she describes taking a shower and seeing every rib and vertebrae. I found myself concerned for her more than inspired by her perseverance.
I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone new to hiking since it doesn't set a good precedent for personal safety.
I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone new to hiking since it doesn't set a good precedent for personal safety.
April 13, 2019
I read this straight through in about three hours on a Saturday morning, and in doing so I felt maybe I understood the author's staggering determination to do something amazing, break the fastest time ever to walk the Pacific Crest Trail.
Okay, no, I'm kidding, lying in bed with my heated blanket and cup of coffee I have no idea what she went through to push her body and mind to perform this feat, beyond what she was able to put on paper. But I do know my heart is in the woods and I need to do a lot more hiking this year.
Okay, no, I'm kidding, lying in bed with my heated blanket and cup of coffee I have no idea what she went through to push her body and mind to perform this feat, beyond what she was able to put on paper. But I do know my heart is in the woods and I need to do a lot more hiking this year.
August 15, 2019
Exhilarating! In 2013, Anish set the fastest known time (FKT) for backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, alone and self-supported, in a record time of 60 days 17 hours 12 minutes. This young woman was faster than any other man or woman on this 2650 mile (4265 km) long trail.
Imagine having the single mindedness to pursue a seemingly impossible goal for two solid months without any break. It is unfathomable. But she did it with the simple mantra of 'take another step'. There are very few rainbows and unicorns in Thirst. She is sore, muscle-fatigued, sleep deprived and loses an alarming amount of weight. She has wounds that won't heal and strange aches and pains. But she has a strength of mind that pulls her through.
Her day-to-day account of her journey is lyrical, poetic and humble. She gives details about significant events or landscapes that she encounters, making each day an adventure. She is honest about her self-doubts and shows the darkness that can take over the mind once the body is weakened. Unlike other backpacking books, Anish spends more time describing her trail experiences, as well as the wildlife and flora she encounters, rather than describing the towns, resupply stops, showers and burgers along the way. Perhaps this is because she spent so little time socializing, updating media and resupplying. She wanted to be on trail and alone and her story shows that passion.
I have hiked and run on some parts of the PCT and a few other long trails and I hunger (and thirst!) for more. Anish has made me want to lace up my shoes and get out on the trails again. She reminds me that there is always suffering involved when raising the bar but there is also a deep satisfaction
(PS this book is the absolute polar opposite to Cheryl Strayed's Wild. Anish is a true athlete who prepared for and completed her goal with grace, humility and modesty. Strayed, on the other hand ....)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Imagine having the single mindedness to pursue a seemingly impossible goal for two solid months without any break. It is unfathomable. But she did it with the simple mantra of 'take another step'. There are very few rainbows and unicorns in Thirst. She is sore, muscle-fatigued, sleep deprived and loses an alarming amount of weight. She has wounds that won't heal and strange aches and pains. But she has a strength of mind that pulls her through.
Her day-to-day account of her journey is lyrical, poetic and humble. She gives details about significant events or landscapes that she encounters, making each day an adventure. She is honest about her self-doubts and shows the darkness that can take over the mind once the body is weakened. Unlike other backpacking books, Anish spends more time describing her trail experiences, as well as the wildlife and flora she encounters, rather than describing the towns, resupply stops, showers and burgers along the way. Perhaps this is because she spent so little time socializing, updating media and resupplying. She wanted to be on trail and alone and her story shows that passion.
I have hiked and run on some parts of the PCT and a few other long trails and I hunger (and thirst!) for more. Anish has made me want to lace up my shoes and get out on the trails again. She reminds me that there is always suffering involved when raising the bar but there is also a deep satisfaction
(PS this book is the absolute polar opposite to Cheryl Strayed's Wild. Anish is a true athlete who prepared for and completed her goal with grace, humility and modesty. Strayed, on the other hand ....)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 11, 2019
I have so much respect for Heather "Anish" Anderson, and I identify with her in some regards. I was never good at sports in school - always picked last for teams, one of the last to finish the mile, etc. But something about hiking did it for me. I have a huge connection with nature, and I feel my best when I'm outside. Hiking/backpacking multiplies that feeling: every inch of trail I follow I find a new miracle or beauty to revel in; nothing both soothes and energizes me like leaves rustling in the wind, cool rock formations, interesting fungi, a beautiful sunrise/sunset, hopping across rocks, scrambling up to a summit, taking in the beauty around me. At some point in college, by some crazy triathlete friends, I was introduced to fastpacking and bagging huge mileage days. Somehow, despite my history of lacking athletic abilities, this was something I was extremely good at and loved. I find I'm quite capable of nudging myself along a trail for hours, charging up steep summits, and pushing through pain. At some point in life, I had considered going for FKTs on the trails myself.
All that to say, I was the perfect audience for this book. But it just didn't do it for me. This was more a factual record of what she did than a thoughtful, inspiring journey. While it's certainly not bad, I didn't find it very interesting. As much as I respect her and admire her, I just wasn't into this.
"Why is it that I spiral into depression when I am away from the mountains for too long?... Why am I only wired for loving the mountains and moving among them?"
Me too, Anish. I feel ya there.
All that to say, I was the perfect audience for this book. But it just didn't do it for me. This was more a factual record of what she did than a thoughtful, inspiring journey. While it's certainly not bad, I didn't find it very interesting. As much as I respect her and admire her, I just wasn't into this.
"Why is it that I spiral into depression when I am away from the mountains for too long?... Why am I only wired for loving the mountains and moving among them?"
Me too, Anish. I feel ya there.
February 21, 2019
For those who know me – you’ll know that the woods and the connection to nature through hiking is something especially important to me. There is no other activity that I can think of in my life that brings me a real palpable rush of joy and calm as does standing on the precipice of a trail along a mountain ridge, or listening the leaves in the thick of a Maple Forest , or drinking in the sweet un-mistaking scent of coniferous smells of a trail through the pines . Every year I grow more and more bold and adventurous and spend more time day dreaming about working up the nerve to push further , do a solo overnight that may lead to a long thru hike. The PCT is on my bucket list – but first I I aim aiming something closer to home in Canada 😊
To keep my daydreaming alive - I started a page on Facebook to Journal and share my adventures as I embark on completing the full end to end hike of the Bruce Trail ( in Ontario, Canada) . You quickly learn about the hiking community when exploring social media and ravenously I joined a whole slew of groups to take in everyone’s experiences, advice and of course the pictures of adventures amongst the tree’s, and trails. When I think about it - really only Hikers can appreciate the endless pictures tree’s, creeks, trails and rocks and keep interested 😊( I mean really after the first few pictures of tree’s one would think they’d get bored of posting the next 20!! Not avid hikers!) In joining these groups I stumbled on an All Women Hiking group that really got me excited – as these were experiences of like minded women, sharing their love of hiking , their frustration, their fears, their accomplishments and their failures – in such an open way that it could help but inspire women like myself to continuing pursuing the thing I love to do. As a result of joining this group I heard about this book – of which Heather had posted herself!
Once downloaded into my kindle – I ravenously read the pages and couldn’t put it down. Well written, raw and full of openness and emotion – I was shocked at how emotional I was reading the chapters and truly feeling Heathers experience’s on the PCT. The daily descriptions of the hike allowed me to imagine for myself where she was and the sensory elements that a hiker can experience through varying climates and terrain. I held my breathe every time she stumbled on an animal and reacted the same I would – fearful and grasping “what I do now?” “Should I be loud?”, “Should I run?” “Am I really to tired to be scared anymore?”. I cried when she made it to northern terminus and felt the accomplishment I can only imagine must have been rushing through her. I could really empathize with the numerous fears she shared as she was marching north . I felt her emptiness post hike and know that yearning for myself ( albeit I am nowhere near her trail experience!!) The fears she shares in this book are the same fears that I know I have and I hope to draw on her experience as an inspiration to push my limits further and further. This was a great read, an inspirational one- especially for like-minded women and am so thankful to have stumbled on her post on Facebook to prompt me to download it .
July 18, 2019
Although I am an admirer of the author's fastest known time on the Pacific Crest Trail, I felt like the her writing was repetitive and a little bit boring. I wanted to hear more about her struggles off the trail, such as her failed marriage and lost job, and how hiking on the trail made her feel reconnected or healed. The epilogue really left me hanging because the author finished with such a forlorn look upon her experiences and her state off the trail. I am amazed by her feat as a backpacker myself and it was inspiring to read about her long and arduous journey.
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March 23, 2021I'm not going to rate this because the writing is perfectly serviceable and fast paced. It was a very quick and easy read.
But I really did not like this. Reading it felt incredibly gross and voyeuristic, like watching someone self-harm, while at the same time they stare you directly in the face going “this means I’m strong.” Deeply, deeply fucked up.
And then two things that are inescapable throughout the text:
First, this woman’s weight and self-image issues are simmering in the background of the entire book. It is deeply woven into so much of what she thinks or talks about: how she perceives the world and her place in it, how she frames asides to past events, etc. Do NOT read this if you have sensitivities to disordered eating. Near the end of the book, she realizes she’s actually starving herself, and once it really starts to compromise her goal she puts more effort into eating enough to sustain herself.
Second, she picked her own trail name and named herself “after a great great grandmother” who was purportedly an indigenous American. But the only real info she shares with us is that this woman was buried under the name Elizabeth. She doesn’t know what specific people she came from, just that this woman was supposedly Anishinaabe. “Elizabeth” obviously isn’t exotic enough, so she instead shortens Anishinaabe to “Anish.”
Would not recommend.
But I really did not like this. Reading it felt incredibly gross and voyeuristic, like watching someone self-harm, while at the same time they stare you directly in the face going “this means I’m strong.” Deeply, deeply fucked up.
And then two things that are inescapable throughout the text:
First, this woman’s weight and self-image issues are simmering in the background of the entire book. It is deeply woven into so much of what she thinks or talks about: how she perceives the world and her place in it, how she frames asides to past events, etc. Do NOT read this if you have sensitivities to disordered eating. Near the end of the book, she realizes she’s actually starving herself, and once it really starts to compromise her goal she puts more effort into eating enough to sustain herself.
Second, she picked her own trail name and named herself “after a great great grandmother” who was purportedly an indigenous American. But the only real info she shares with us is that this woman was buried under the name Elizabeth. She doesn’t know what specific people she came from, just that this woman was supposedly Anishinaabe. “Elizabeth” obviously isn’t exotic enough, so she instead shortens Anishinaabe to “Anish.”
Would not recommend.
July 15, 2019
Provides a very clinical view of what it took to get the "fastest known time" (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail. There is very little emotional investment from the author which means the reader does not get drawn into the story. There are a few instances where the author reveals some of her past or relationships with others and there should be more focus on that as it draws the reader in. Instead she provides a brief synopsis of each day that she spent on the trail. It reads something like: woke up, did a chill 20 miles of hiking no problem, noticed a couple of beautiful things on the trail, skipped a water source to save weight, no water at next fill up, hiked 10 miles without water to end the day. As this is essentially the summary for many of the chapters, it turns into a somewhat dull read by the end of the story without much expression or revealing of personal growth of the author.
June 16, 2019
I enjoyed Heather's story very much. She has grit and determination beyond anything I have ever imagined. I have a little secret wish in me to through hike. I am 61 with no hiking skills or experience whatsoever. I go out and walk in my neighborhood with my secret wish in my heart. It is a live spark within me.
July 12, 2020
3.5 thoughts soon.
October 29, 2024
Heather "Anish" Anderson’s travel memoir recounts her attempt in 2013 to break the self-supported fastest hiking time on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a total of 2,650-miles (4,265 km). She focuses on the essentials, and drives herself onward while suffering hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. The memoir also references her accomplishments on the Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail, as well as her personal history.
She hiked an amazing 40-plus miles (64 km) a day facing both physical challenges (wildlife, weather, overuse injuries) and personal demons (insecurity, fear, and depression). I picked this one up because I live near a part of the PCT and am very happy she covered these sections in her narrative. The writing is decent, but Anderson is more a hiker than a writer, and it gets a bit repetitive in places. Still, it is quite an inspirational story.
She hiked an amazing 40-plus miles (64 km) a day facing both physical challenges (wildlife, weather, overuse injuries) and personal demons (insecurity, fear, and depression). I picked this one up because I live near a part of the PCT and am very happy she covered these sections in her narrative. The writing is decent, but Anderson is more a hiker than a writer, and it gets a bit repetitive in places. Still, it is quite an inspirational story.
August 12, 2019
Since I can’t hike right now (ankle sprain) I decided to order some books about hiking/hiking memoirs and this was the first I read. I read it in a few hours and enjoyed it - I can’t imagine hiking 40+ miles daily for two months - definitely inspiring in the “get out there and make it happen” realm.
June 21, 2020
4.5 I saw this book on a shelf in Happy Camp, CA yesterday and I picked it up and was immediately was entranced, especially since we hiked a teeny bit of the PCT today (and it was otherworldly beautiful, especially as there was a fire recently so the charred skeletons of the trees created a fantastic effect and we could see so far over the blue mountains).
When I got back to our Airbnb I downloaded this book and started reading and blasted through. The whole time I compared this to Wild, Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about her time on the PCT, and came to the conclusion they are both great but quite different. Anish and Strayed have a lot of differences, but were each able to find themselves on the trail. Anish was much more obsessive, which I found strange (but then again so many amazing things - including Anderson’s record - are done by people with an obsessive determination which I can neither comprehend nor cultivate myself). I must say I generally don’t get super excited by records and am much more interested in the journey than the outcome. If you went to Everest I don’t think you’re a better person if you summited or not (or if you did it with record speed or not), but I would LOVE to hear about your trip! It was the same here, I think Strayed and Anish’s hikes were each very impressive and it is super cool they accomplished the goals they set for themselves.
One thing I particularly loved about this book was how awkward she is around people (which is justifiable by how fast she had to go and how exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and dirty she was). This was one of the first travel books I read where the author meets people and has trivial short conversations like I have on my travels. “Hello, how are you?” “Great, beautiful day!” “Yeah definitely!” “Alright bye, have a great trip!”. It is astounding how many memoirs have encounters where the author is sitting alone and then in the next instant there someone comes and sits next to them, and in five minutes they are deep in conversation, then travel together, and then are lifetime friends. My excuse isn’t that I have to move fast and set world records, but still I identified with that a lot.
I strangely loved how this ended on a bit of a downer (but a hopeful and content downer). Anish felt lost and depressed at the beginning of the memoir, and found and depressed at the end. She accepted that she is a restless soul, and didn’t pretend to have found absolute peace after achieving her goal (which so many memoirs tend to do).
She is amazing and inspiring and I hope she is able to live happily as a hiking vagabond!
When I got back to our Airbnb I downloaded this book and started reading and blasted through. The whole time I compared this to Wild, Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about her time on the PCT, and came to the conclusion they are both great but quite different. Anish and Strayed have a lot of differences, but were each able to find themselves on the trail. Anish was much more obsessive, which I found strange (but then again so many amazing things - including Anderson’s record - are done by people with an obsessive determination which I can neither comprehend nor cultivate myself). I must say I generally don’t get super excited by records and am much more interested in the journey than the outcome. If you went to Everest I don’t think you’re a better person if you summited or not (or if you did it with record speed or not), but I would LOVE to hear about your trip! It was the same here, I think Strayed and Anish’s hikes were each very impressive and it is super cool they accomplished the goals they set for themselves.
One thing I particularly loved about this book was how awkward she is around people (which is justifiable by how fast she had to go and how exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and dirty she was). This was one of the first travel books I read where the author meets people and has trivial short conversations like I have on my travels. “Hello, how are you?” “Great, beautiful day!” “Yeah definitely!” “Alright bye, have a great trip!”. It is astounding how many memoirs have encounters where the author is sitting alone and then in the next instant there someone comes and sits next to them, and in five minutes they are deep in conversation, then travel together, and then are lifetime friends. My excuse isn’t that I have to move fast and set world records, but still I identified with that a lot.
I strangely loved how this ended on a bit of a downer (but a hopeful and content downer). Anish felt lost and depressed at the beginning of the memoir, and found and depressed at the end. She accepted that she is a restless soul, and didn’t pretend to have found absolute peace after achieving her goal (which so many memoirs tend to do).
She is amazing and inspiring and I hope she is able to live happily as a hiking vagabond!
July 31, 2019
Another whine-y story about a girl believing herself a looser "finds" herself on the Pacific Crest Trail as she looses weight, some emotional baggage, beating some dude's record.... Yawn....
Do not waste your time. Read about this title in a Hiker Mag. Downloaded it. waste of dough and time.
Poorly written. Use in "what not to do" in a writing class. Lots of "thats' and prepositions. Got distracted by poor prose.
"Wild", another book by a young woman on the PCT, is better written but she too has LOTS of emotional baggage; not kid-friendly, lots of expletives.
don't waste your time.
Do not waste your time. Read about this title in a Hiker Mag. Downloaded it. waste of dough and time.
Poorly written. Use in "what not to do" in a writing class. Lots of "thats' and prepositions. Got distracted by poor prose.
"Wild", another book by a young woman on the PCT, is better written but she too has LOTS of emotional baggage; not kid-friendly, lots of expletives.
don't waste your time.
October 2, 2019
After reading Thru Hiking Will Break Your Heart, and Becoming Odyssa-I was truly excited to start another inspiring read of a woman’s solo journey thru hiking. This book, however, disappointed me to extreme levels. Not well written, the author whines constantly, and is way unprepared for her trek to break the record. I agree with another reviewer who stated this is definitely not a book that anyone who is new to backpacking or looking to tackle a thru hike should even read. She’s constantly out of water and nourishing food, and she’s running on fumes. It’s ridiculously over rated and I tossed my money out the window for this one.
May 20, 2019
Overall, I enjoyed reading through Anderson's adventure but I found myself wanting a lot more to this book, especially afterward. I would have also liked to have had some pictures included in the book as well. I didn't feel like I connected with her "why" or her drive at all, though I can appreciate that people choose different paths all the time and I applaud her for following her gut.
February 17, 2021
This could have been so much better, but the author was repetitive, boring, and self absorbed. I'm a big fan the thru-hiking story genre, but this one was really lacking. Maybe part of it is that the genre of "girl who doesn't think much of herself, but proves everyone wrong" is a bit played out, or maybe its because she constantly takes incredibly unnecessary risks and just happens to not die, but I just didn't get invested in this story. Thankfully it's one of the shorter books I've read in the genre because if it had been twice as long I'd probably have scrapped it and moved onto another book. The author just isn't all that likeable and while she clearly had some major turmoil in her personal life prior to the hike, she doesn't deeply delve into it skirts around the conflicts while trying to tell us all how incredibly unlikely her journey is.
June 29, 2026
This woman is a legend. From crossing the Grand Canyon mostly barefoot at twenty, with no experience or preparation, to hiking the Appalachian Trail after graduation, completing several thru-hikes and ultramarathons, and eventually setting the self-supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail at thirty-one, her determination is incredible.
In this book she tells the story of hiking around 40 miles a day for two months. I loved all the descriptions of the landscapes, flora and fauna. I kept looking up pictures of everything she mentioned. The logistics were fascinating too, although some of the risks she took really stressed me out. She was constantly running out of water, sometimes not purifying it, eating far too little because she was too exhausted and even leaving food behind for other hikers, only to be terrified of starvation later on.
What I liked most is that she doesn't romanticise the trail. She writes about the lack of water, poodle-dog bush, nosebleeds from the heat, blisters, storms, mountain lions, exhaustion, weight loss and the constant temptation to quit. At the same time, she captures everything that makes people fall in love with long-distance hiking: spectacular landscapes, old friendships, conquering fears, the quiet satisfaction of putting one foot in front of the other and watching your body slowly adapt to something that once seemed impossible.
In this book she tells the story of hiking around 40 miles a day for two months. I loved all the descriptions of the landscapes, flora and fauna. I kept looking up pictures of everything she mentioned. The logistics were fascinating too, although some of the risks she took really stressed me out. She was constantly running out of water, sometimes not purifying it, eating far too little because she was too exhausted and even leaving food behind for other hikers, only to be terrified of starvation later on.
What I liked most is that she doesn't romanticise the trail. She writes about the lack of water, poodle-dog bush, nosebleeds from the heat, blisters, storms, mountain lions, exhaustion, weight loss and the constant temptation to quit. At the same time, she captures everything that makes people fall in love with long-distance hiking: spectacular landscapes, old friendships, conquering fears, the quiet satisfaction of putting one foot in front of the other and watching your body slowly adapt to something that once seemed impossible.
July 13, 2025
Heather Anderson is amazing! I was moved by this book and it made me eager to get back out there
I would definitely recommend this book for type 2 fun lovers specifically. I disagree with people who gave this book a bad review because it “sets a bad precedent” but I can see how it could be a stressful read for some
I would definitely recommend this book for type 2 fun lovers specifically. I disagree with people who gave this book a bad review because it “sets a bad precedent” but I can see how it could be a stressful read for some
January 7, 2022
“Thirst” is not the story you expect. It is not a story about the beautiful nature of the PCT, nor the inspiring tale of Anish achieving her goal for the fastest time.
It’s the story of Anish attempting to face an internal battle with an external feat.
Where she should be focusing efforts on improving her mental health, she instead puts all of that effort into a hell-ish experience with the thought that by achieving the record she will figure out herself, discover why she’s not happy, and why she has never felt normal.
She claims that the beauty of the trail calls her to it, but she mostly focuses on the torment and physical toll the trail has on her and her body rather than describing that beauty.
She accomplishes her goal and sets the record, which is heartwarming and exciting as it was a mission she had wanted to accomplish ever since she was an overweight child who no one believed in. But, in the end, she still does not believe in herself.
Unsure of why she is still depressed, she debates throwing away her achievement, journal logs, and photo collection because she did not find the answers she was searching for on her journey. This epilogue is truly heartbreaking as this is a memoir and a real person.
I hope she continues searching for those answers and finds them soon. Rather than rush through these trails to set records, perhaps she should slow down and enjoy them at a leisurely pace. With a mix of therapy and immersing herself in nature, she could accomplish her mental health goals just as she did her physical goals.
I also hope she continues writing about her adventures, as I found her skills to improve in the last half of the book.
Lastly, and most importantly, I hope on her future thru-hikes that she packs more water and eats more food!!!
It’s the story of Anish attempting to face an internal battle with an external feat.
Where she should be focusing efforts on improving her mental health, she instead puts all of that effort into a hell-ish experience with the thought that by achieving the record she will figure out herself, discover why she’s not happy, and why she has never felt normal.
She claims that the beauty of the trail calls her to it, but she mostly focuses on the torment and physical toll the trail has on her and her body rather than describing that beauty.
She accomplishes her goal and sets the record, which is heartwarming and exciting as it was a mission she had wanted to accomplish ever since she was an overweight child who no one believed in. But, in the end, she still does not believe in herself.
Unsure of why she is still depressed, she debates throwing away her achievement, journal logs, and photo collection because she did not find the answers she was searching for on her journey. This epilogue is truly heartbreaking as this is a memoir and a real person.
I hope she continues searching for those answers and finds them soon. Rather than rush through these trails to set records, perhaps she should slow down and enjoy them at a leisurely pace. With a mix of therapy and immersing herself in nature, she could accomplish her mental health goals just as she did her physical goals.
I also hope she continues writing about her adventures, as I found her skills to improve in the last half of the book.
Lastly, and most importantly, I hope on her future thru-hikes that she packs more water and eats more food!!!
May 19, 2022
First, the author sets a horrible example for other hikers or even those curious about backpacking. Her planning was poor and she made unsafe choices. Additionally, the author clearly struggles with body issues and acceptance issues but decides a childhood goal of “just break some record” will help her overcome her personal fat phobia. I really would not want my adolescent or young adult daughter to read this book, which seems to glamorize one’s body insecurity and lifelong search for male approval. Lastly, this read an AWFUL LOT like “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed.
September 20, 2026
Glossary: FKT = Fastest Known Time, PCT = Pacific Crest Trail, AT = Appalachian Trail, CDT = Continental Divide Trail
“The last decade I’d spent trying to conform to society was a charade. Hiking was my reality. Walking into the desert alone felt like waking up from a long nightmare. With each step, I felt closer, not only to my home in Washington, but also my true self” (17)
“The last decade I’d spent trying to conform to society was a charade. Hiking was my reality. Walking into the desert alone felt like waking up from a long nightmare. With each step, I felt closer, not only to my home in Washington, but also my true self” (17)
All hail the Queen!! Heather Anderson, trail name Anish, held the overall self-supported northbound FKT on the PCT for 9 years and has held the female self-supported record since 2013, which is what this memoir is about. Hiking over 40 miles a day, she set this record that has yet to be broken by any female 13 years later. Also, she is currently the only female to have hiked the “Triple Crown” (PCT, AT and CDT) in a single calendar year. Her most recent FKT accomplishment is doing an UNSUPPORTED FKT of the Arizona Trail which she completed in 24 days. According to the official FKT rules, unsupported FKT means: “you truly have no external support of any kind. You must carry everything you need from start to finish except water from natural sources.” INSANE.
During what I’m now calling my “Trail awakening” journey, I’ve been consuming as many stories as possible about women carving out their own adventures on trails through running, hiking, backpacking, and everything in between. Memoirs have always been a favorite genre of mine and I’m especially drawn to stories such as this that are a cross between a memoir and a travel log. I love hearing an account of a hike that in a lot of ways is a practical retelling of what the hiker saw and did each day while also mixing in introspection of what the hiker is learning about themselves and their reasons for moving forward. I think Anish did a fantastic job of finding a balance between the two. I liked that as a reader we got a real glimpse at not just the external journey of setting a FKT on the PCT, but also the internal journey within her. Her writing just feels so authentic—she could never over-romanticize a difficult endurance effort like this, because you can tell that her love of being on-trail in the wild is so deep, despite the struggles of it.
“At least now I knew that my heart was wedded to the mountains—to the wild places. It was there, and there alone, that I was whole, contented, and blissful. No relationship, career, or wealth could ever take its place….Having filled myself with nothing but miles and miles of hiking, I finally understood that it was the beauty of the land that enthralled me so. I would continue to seek more and more—trying to take in as much splendor at once as I could. For that, I was willing to run myself to exhilarated exhaustion over and over again, and yet still crave more” (173)
Going into this, I didn’t expect to find Anish to be so relatable to me; how could I relate to a person that is doing something so incredibly challenging and brave? While maybe I can’t relate to setting FKTs on 2,000+ mile long trails, I can relate to the stubborn fueled ambition, the fears that make us feel limited, and the thinking that tells us we’re not good enough to achieve what we set out to do. I also relate to the wholeness that you only feel on-trail and the paradox of “exhilarated exhaustion.” In fact, on a recent challenging training run, I found myself channeling Anish’s spirit in the way that I talked to myself. While I would have thoughts about not being strong enough to accomplish the run, the words that came out of my mouth told a different story. I spoke the words I needed to myself to keep moving forward. I am so excited to add Heather Anderson to the growing list of women who are inspiring me in my own trail adventures and to use her wisdom, from another book she’s published about preparing for thru-hikes, as I begin to prepare for my own thru-hike in the not so distant future…
October 1, 2022
> I reached a small creek [below Rae Lakes] and crossed on a convenient log, but there was no sign of the trail on the other side. Climbing up a steep slope, I wandered around before referencing the Halfmile app. It confirmed that I was on the trail. But I wasn’t. I wandered some more, finally stumbling down a slope where I found the trail. I had crossed prematurely and, in the darkness, missed the true crossing twenty feet away.
> I was done being afraid of the night, of lions, of failure—of anything. Chest heaving, I stood and stared in the direction it had gone. I roared again. When I had stepped away from the southern terminus fifty days before, it had been the biggest jump of my life. Since then, I’d felt as though I’d been falling the entire time—until that moment when I flung myself into the face of my greatest fear, ready to fight. After fifty days in freefall, I’d landed. I was the lioness now, roaming the day and night fearlessly. Willing to fight anything in my path. To take anything on, whether it be lions in the night or raging glacial rivers or the self-defeating voices that lived in the dark recesses of my own mind. I was now a living incarnation of courage.
> Being myself—and chasing my dreams—was enough. I never once thought that hiking would make the world better or change a life. Yet, it had. Thousands of people had been inspired. I had learned to accept myself for all that I was and all that I wasn’t. My calling came from the mountains and all that I needed to do to answer was put one foot in front of the other.
> I couldn’t remember the way bone-deep fatigue felt. I could no longer singularly focus my mind on a goal. Now, it ran rampant, following every passing thought. Worst of all, I was no longer fearless.
> I was done being afraid of the night, of lions, of failure—of anything. Chest heaving, I stood and stared in the direction it had gone. I roared again. When I had stepped away from the southern terminus fifty days before, it had been the biggest jump of my life. Since then, I’d felt as though I’d been falling the entire time—until that moment when I flung myself into the face of my greatest fear, ready to fight. After fifty days in freefall, I’d landed. I was the lioness now, roaming the day and night fearlessly. Willing to fight anything in my path. To take anything on, whether it be lions in the night or raging glacial rivers or the self-defeating voices that lived in the dark recesses of my own mind. I was now a living incarnation of courage.
> Being myself—and chasing my dreams—was enough. I never once thought that hiking would make the world better or change a life. Yet, it had. Thousands of people had been inspired. I had learned to accept myself for all that I was and all that I wasn’t. My calling came from the mountains and all that I needed to do to answer was put one foot in front of the other.
> I couldn’t remember the way bone-deep fatigue felt. I could no longer singularly focus my mind on a goal. Now, it ran rampant, following every passing thought. Worst of all, I was no longer fearless.
July 11, 2023
Ok, ok. I know the title of this book is thirst and there is little to talk about on through-hikes beside how thirsty, tired, hungry, etc you are, but omg. This book was monotonous. Great and amazing feat completed. But maybe don’t read the book about it 🤷♀️
July 24, 2023
made me want to quit my job and hike the pct
December 19, 2020
I am 100% OK with admitting when I don't understand something. That must be the case here.
Now, I love hiking. I have hiked tens of thousands of miles in my lifetime. I love the Appalachian trail and think it would be great to live a few steps away to hike it as often as possible. I even understand thru-hiking, though it isn't something I aspire to. But this book conveyed to me that the author could not possibly have enjoyed one mile of her PCT thru-hike.
The entire book felt rushed - fitting, as her entire thru-hike must have felt terribly rushed. How on earth do you manage to enjoy even one day of hiking when all you can think about is pushing miles day after day? I don't even like it when I'm out for a day hike and have to think about picking a certain trail to be off by nightfall or home by a certain time - I can't imagine trying to enjoy the PCT or AT while constantly wondering if I'm going fast enough.
She hardly described her hike at all, skipping several days/milestones. It read more like a personal log of recording mileage to document her FKT.
I realize her entire concept of an FKT hike was because of a promise to herself to record a fastest-ever sporting feat, but it's difficult enough to pull off a successful thru-hike, let alone hold yourself to 40+ mile days.
I hated this book. I hated the perception it gave to thru-hiking. I just can't respect people who choose to break records like this. Long trails weren't created for speed records. They exist for hiking, for the experience of hiking.
I also hate it when people record their own stupidity. She documents several instances of stupidity on trail - during her second attempt of the PCT. She should have known how much water to bring, to bring extra water, to eat food even when she didn't have an appetite. She should have known a "best" water filtration system. Even worse, she was still more concerned about making miles instead of taking care of herself. HOW THE HELL DID SHE DO THIS WITHOUT ENJOYING EVEN ONE MINUTE ON TRAIL?????????
Now, I love hiking. I have hiked tens of thousands of miles in my lifetime. I love the Appalachian trail and think it would be great to live a few steps away to hike it as often as possible. I even understand thru-hiking, though it isn't something I aspire to. But this book conveyed to me that the author could not possibly have enjoyed one mile of her PCT thru-hike.
The entire book felt rushed - fitting, as her entire thru-hike must have felt terribly rushed. How on earth do you manage to enjoy even one day of hiking when all you can think about is pushing miles day after day? I don't even like it when I'm out for a day hike and have to think about picking a certain trail to be off by nightfall or home by a certain time - I can't imagine trying to enjoy the PCT or AT while constantly wondering if I'm going fast enough.
She hardly described her hike at all, skipping several days/milestones. It read more like a personal log of recording mileage to document her FKT.
I realize her entire concept of an FKT hike was because of a promise to herself to record a fastest-ever sporting feat, but it's difficult enough to pull off a successful thru-hike, let alone hold yourself to 40+ mile days.
I hated this book. I hated the perception it gave to thru-hiking. I just can't respect people who choose to break records like this. Long trails weren't created for speed records. They exist for hiking, for the experience of hiking.
I also hate it when people record their own stupidity. She documents several instances of stupidity on trail - during her second attempt of the PCT. She should have known how much water to bring, to bring extra water, to eat food even when she didn't have an appetite. She should have known a "best" water filtration system. Even worse, she was still more concerned about making miles instead of taking care of herself. HOW THE HELL DID SHE DO THIS WITHOUT ENJOYING EVEN ONE MINUTE ON TRAIL?????????
June 9, 2019
I’m reading and researching and following youtubers & Instagramers focused on the PCT this year in excitement and support of my son as he hikes the 2600+ mile trail. This book drew me in because “Anish” set the record for the fastest completion time of an insane 60 days.
I enjoyed reading about the hike and the trail (the freaky guy with the knife was scary as hell). I thought it was great that she shared her personal mental ramblings. She shared her fears and self doubt and struggles with depression. This book was pretty much her personal journal including her wandering thoughts and memories and the negative self-talk and the conquering good thoughts.
I enjoyed reading about the hike and the trail (the freaky guy with the knife was scary as hell). I thought it was great that she shared her personal mental ramblings. She shared her fears and self doubt and struggles with depression. This book was pretty much her personal journal including her wandering thoughts and memories and the negative self-talk and the conquering good thoughts.
June 4, 2019
It was an interesting read but like much of the genre surrounding thru hikers there is a ton of 'Me' or 'I' throughout this book. It is hard to get over the self absorbtion of the author. I've listened to podcasts and read other books about thru hiking and this is pretty typical. Walking on the trail is a noble goal but if that is all you do with your life that what have you accomplished?
The author obviously was incredibly dedicated accomplished something truly amazing in her time on the trail.
The author obviously was incredibly dedicated accomplished something truly amazing in her time on the trail.
October 27, 2024
Fascinating memoir of a woman who broke the Pacific Crest Trail record. I love books about people who push their physical limits, and this one did not disappoint!
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October 28, 2022I always find it weird to give star ratings to memoirs and books about people's personal experiences. So, I think I am going to stop doing that.
For the most part, I enjoyed it and am glad I finished it. Anish writes about her attempt to break the fastest known time for self-supported hiking the PCT. It was interesting and amazing to see how she pushed herself. I can get that after having done some mountain trail races and one 50k. However, some of the decisions she made to push to reach that goal I felt were not the smartest. But, that was her decision and her goal so who am I to judge.
I did leave this book really missing trail running and with an urge to go spend a day in the woods.
"I had known for some time that weakness of mind was the only thing that could stop me, and it almost had. But there had been a roadblock in my core - a stubborn will to finish. Whether I failed to break a record or not was of no consequence: I would not give up."
For the most part, I enjoyed it and am glad I finished it. Anish writes about her attempt to break the fastest known time for self-supported hiking the PCT. It was interesting and amazing to see how she pushed herself. I can get that after having done some mountain trail races and one 50k. However, some of the decisions she made to push to reach that goal I felt were not the smartest. But, that was her decision and her goal so who am I to judge.
I did leave this book really missing trail running and with an urge to go spend a day in the woods.
"I had known for some time that weakness of mind was the only thing that could stop me, and it almost had. But there had been a roadblock in my core - a stubborn will to finish. Whether I failed to break a record or not was of no consequence: I would not give up."
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