External

by Dustin E. Waite

In External, author Dustin Waite answers this very question that we've all asked ourselves: What do I do now?! Delivered with wit and a refreshing dose of raw reality, his Appalachian Trail adventure story is punctuated by a life-threatening heart condition, captivating travel experiences, and the relatable challenges of imperfect personal relationships. Like his trusty backpack, readers are carried along Dustin's journey as he reflects on the real-life decisions that led him to summit Mount Katahdin at the apex of his 2,189-mile adventure through the woods.

If you've ever wondered how to keep moving forward while integrating your past and inviting the unknown, External offers inspiration, humility, and a little trail magic to help you find your way.

External is exclusively available at the author's website.

322 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2019

About the author

Dustin Waite is an environmental scientist for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Although his BA from Cornell College is in Geology and Marine Sciences, his resume includes an eclectic mix of experience.

He began his professional career as a geologist in southern California where he remediated contaminated sites and was part of the team to help open Vista Hermosa Park, the first public park in downtown Los Angeles in over one hundred years.

Waite then pursued a career in education while working with The Greenway Foundation in Denver, earning the title of Colorado Certified Environmental Educator. He relocated to Maui where he put his passion for teaching and natural history to good use while helping design The Lahaina Heritage Museum.

After hiking almost 1,600 miles on the Appalachian Trail, a rare heart condition forced him to spend time back home in Iowa. Upon returning to complete the final six hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail, Waite continued to stay on the go.

Dustin’s travels have included riding his motorcycle across the United States multiple times and extended trips in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Peru, India, Costa Rica, Lichtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia, as well as hiking the Appalachian Trail, which served as the inspiration for his first book, External. In 2016 and 2017, he traveled to Mongolia and Central America, the inspiration for Falling in Love with The Process.

Since the pandemic, Waite, like most people, had his life and travel plans upended. He embraced the pivot while living out of his vehicle for six months, visiting oceans on both sides of the country, hiking, camping, and backpacking until he ultimately had coffee in Pismo Beach with a girl he lived three doors down from in college. They now live together in Sacramento with a white boxer named Tuula.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m known to put a book down in the middle and rarely return to finish. Yet the author kept me intrigued from beginning to end with twists and turns, laughter and tears, as his story unfolded. Thank you for sharing your journey!

[Don Schminkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dustin is a great story teller, and his journey is inspirational.

[Sam Kancewick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story of Dustin and his life (up until now) journey. Hiking enthusiasts will be drawn to the Appalachian Trail story of endurance and meeting exciting people on the trail. Also caters well to people looking for a little guidance in that they can share some of life's big struggles with the author.

[Matt Pilger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Dustin has a knack for storytelling.

[Jeremy Patin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a signed copy of this book after seeing it in the window of a second hand bookstore in Philly last week. It grabbed my attention because it was about backpacking the AT and my wife and I had just spent the previous day in Harpers Ferry WV, where the AT passes through and had followed the white blazes for a few miles. While there we also visited the AT Conservatory, which marks the halfway point of the trail. I was immediately hooked by the book and finished it in a couple of settings. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors use of two distinct time lines to tell his story. As a reader, I could totally relate with his very real and common human struggles in regards to dating and relationships as well as work, finances and all the "adult" stuff the world expects you to have figured out when you are in your 30s. Spoiler alert, I'm in my 40s and still haven't gotten it all worked out..lol. In addition to a fun story that will have you rooting for him, the author also touches on some extremely deep and timely subjects such as race and inclusion and what it truly means to be a good human. Overall, I gave the book a solid 4 stars (would be 4.5, if GR had the option) and would highly recommend it to others.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I felt that this book was bleh and the guy was kind of a douche. But I kept reading. And then I was hooked. I wanted to know more and my perceptions of him changed. He was more just trying to figure this life out. I loved the two ways to present the information of a past and present. I loved the little insights and lessons learned that came from the past. I didn't give it five stars, because I didn't really follow the trail and certainly not the characters he met in the AT chapters. I myself got a little lost (pun intended). I felt like they were all over the place. That was really my only complaint of the book.

[Maggie Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dustin is a friend of mine so it was really cool to read his story fully written out after knowing how much he put into writing it. I like the back and forth (from the past to the AT and back) format and the way he included some of his challenging thoughts and experiences, such as race and substance issues. Well done Dustin!

[Julie Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dustin tells a great story! A very enjoyable read.

[James Lundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It grabbed me from the beginning and was a great page turner. Dustin is a great story teller and weaves in lots of history about the places he visits as well. I liked the back and forth chapters from hiking the Appalachian Trail to his personal life and experiences. This is an inspirational read about accomplishing a goal and learning life lessons along the way!

[Ashley McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this last year but really enjoyed the adventure that my friend Dustin took on and off the trail.