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46 Days: Keeping Up With Jennifer Pharr Davis on the Appalachian Trail
46 Days chronicles the trials, successes, joys, and frustrations of Jennifer Pharr Davis's record-winning Appalachian Trail thru-hike through the eyes of her husband, Brew Davis. Brew lead her pit crew, the group of generous, loving hikers who supported Jen along the way, providing company along the epic trail and as much food as Jen could stomach. Experience the trek with Jen and Brew as they battle shin splints and a stomach scare that threatens to end the attempt early, encounter wildlife at every turn, and meet the colorful cast of characters that help Jen complete her journey. 46 Days also includes an introduction and afterword by Jennifer with first-hand reflections on her life-changing voyage.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Jennifer Pharr Davis
14 books142 followersJennifer Pharr Davis grew up in the North Carolina Mountains, where she developed a love for hiking at a young age. At age twenty-one, Jennifer hiked the entire Appalachian Trail as a solo female and fell in love with long-distance backpacking.
Since then, Jennifer has hiked more than 8,000 miles of trails in North America, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, and the Colorado Trail, and completed two thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail. She has hiked and traveled on six continents; some of the highlights include Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the 600-mile Bibbulmun Track in Australia.
Jennifer holds endurance records on three long-distance trails. In 2008 she became the fastest woman to hike the Appalachian Trail, averaging thirty-eight miles a day and completing the trail in fifty-seven days.
Jennifer has written for Trail Runner magazine, Away.com, and is a frequent contributor to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and has written two guidebooks. Jennifer lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, and is the owner and founder of Blue Ridge Hiking Co.
Since then, Jennifer has hiked more than 8,000 miles of trails in North America, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, and the Colorado Trail, and completed two thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail. She has hiked and traveled on six continents; some of the highlights include Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the 600-mile Bibbulmun Track in Australia.
Jennifer holds endurance records on three long-distance trails. In 2008 she became the fastest woman to hike the Appalachian Trail, averaging thirty-eight miles a day and completing the trail in fifty-seven days.
Jennifer has written for Trail Runner magazine, Away.com, and is a frequent contributor to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and has written two guidebooks. Jennifer lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, and is the owner and founder of Blue Ridge Hiking Co.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 2, 2012
If you ever set a record for speed hiking the AT, don’t let your husband write the blog/book. Reads like the Big Lebowski is narrating. “Dude, my wife hiked monster miles and ate epic amounts of food.” Day after day of his unedited blog posts recounting all the fast food joints he visited and roads he got lost down. Completely takes away from the wilderness experience because in this car-view version, there is no true wilderness lacking in McDonald’s and Burger Kings. Even the 100-Mile Wilderness seems to be littered with greasy spoons. Except for the mileage and bear sighting counters, I almost completely forgot that the book was about a hike. The trail is described in broad strokes while the ordering of junk food is recounted in excruciating detail. Reads like an extended car trip in search of the most caloric, fattiest foods, the type of AT thru-hike Bill Bryson’s trail companion Katz would have fully embraced. Points for being a supportive, loving husband but wish he had left the retelling to someone more on the trail than in the pace car.
July 20, 2021
I got bored quick with this "book". It's a thrown together collection of blog posts written by Jennifer's husband while she was hiking the AT attempting to break the speed record. It's just a summary of all the junk food she's eaten and how awesome she is.
It is pretty cool the miles she puts in daily, but I don't need to read praise to her every page. Also, the detailed descriptions of restaurants they got food at weren't necessary. I missed the magic of the trail, the nature, the hardships.
Stay clear from this one.
It is pretty cool the miles she puts in daily, but I don't need to read praise to her every page. Also, the detailed descriptions of restaurants they got food at weren't necessary. I missed the magic of the trail, the nature, the hardships.
Stay clear from this one.
August 31, 2017
If this were a work of literature, of COURSE I wouldn't have given 3 stars! This is a book of blog entries, written by a husband to update America (or maybe even international readers) about his wife's progress as she struggled to break a record. I think that's important to know if you're thinking of reading "46 Days" by Brew Davis. Some of the reviews I've read led me to believe that quite a few readers expected a novel edited by real professionals! I understand why they'd be a little disappointed.
I read the incredible story of Jennifer Pharr Davis as she broke the hiking record on the Appalachian Trail. Keeping in mind the story is from her husband's perspective and he's admittedly NO writer. He kept a record of the support he gave his wife, along with the support their friends and family gave. I loved reading about how this became kind of a community effort. There's NO WAY she could have broken the record without their help. I loved reading how both this husband and wife team gave the glory to God. They weren't overly Christian and annoying, they just simply weren't afraid to admit they were Christians. This is something I didn't even know when I picked the book up.
Here's what I wish was different... meaning I would have LOVED to read a more detailed account of her training, the ups and downs of their relationship as he sacrificed his way of life and comfort just so his wife could receive most of the glory. I think that was HUGE! Not many men would have been so gracious (just my opinion). There's a lot of descriptions about fast food (plugs for McDonald's) and at first I was thrown off. He explains that she HAD to eat fast food, processed food because it was easier for her to chew and gave more calories while she punished her body and expected it to preform miracles! I get why he devoted time to what she ate. It did paint a small picture. I would have LOVED to see colored pictures of what she saw too though. The animals, the beautiful scenery, camp shots. There HAD to be more going on than what he wrote! Ugh. I wanted to know more. In the end... I gave this 3 stars because I can appreciate that this started out being a blog. I also just love this story! What we ALL can accomplish when we give 110% and won't take no for an answer. LOVE IT!
I read the incredible story of Jennifer Pharr Davis as she broke the hiking record on the Appalachian Trail. Keeping in mind the story is from her husband's perspective and he's admittedly NO writer. He kept a record of the support he gave his wife, along with the support their friends and family gave. I loved reading about how this became kind of a community effort. There's NO WAY she could have broken the record without their help. I loved reading how both this husband and wife team gave the glory to God. They weren't overly Christian and annoying, they just simply weren't afraid to admit they were Christians. This is something I didn't even know when I picked the book up.
Here's what I wish was different... meaning I would have LOVED to read a more detailed account of her training, the ups and downs of their relationship as he sacrificed his way of life and comfort just so his wife could receive most of the glory. I think that was HUGE! Not many men would have been so gracious (just my opinion). There's a lot of descriptions about fast food (plugs for McDonald's) and at first I was thrown off. He explains that she HAD to eat fast food, processed food because it was easier for her to chew and gave more calories while she punished her body and expected it to preform miracles! I get why he devoted time to what she ate. It did paint a small picture. I would have LOVED to see colored pictures of what she saw too though. The animals, the beautiful scenery, camp shots. There HAD to be more going on than what he wrote! Ugh. I wanted to know more. In the end... I gave this 3 stars because I can appreciate that this started out being a blog. I also just love this story! What we ALL can accomplish when we give 110% and won't take no for an answer. LOVE IT!
July 24, 2017
Most informative about how a support crew moves from road to road providing resupply, logistics of hiking in on side trails to meet Jennifer, and all the details of moving vehicles, where to overnight, etc. Most hiking trail stories are from the hiker's point of view; this one was from the support crew POV. This is an actual blog rather than a piece of literature, but I found it very interesting reading. (I'll also need to check if I were on the A.T. In late June 2011, which is when she would've come through East TN / Western NC where I hike.)
November 24, 2017
Was disappointed by this as it's really just his blog post rather than an actual book. Wished I would have gotten more insight on the hike rather than what roads he traveled and what fast food he delivered. Where was the actual story?
May 23, 2020
I really liked this book. I had already read Called Again and enjoyed her story. Her husbands view of the trek was great. The book was written in a journal style which was perfect. The only down side is I think he doesn’t give himself credit, I bet he had even more stories to share.
January 9, 2019
2.5 stars.
August 20, 2014
I enjoyed this book about Jennifer Pharr Davis' record breaking speed hike of the AT. It is written in journal/blog style by her husband and support person, Brew Davis. It was enlightening to read what a supported hike was all about, very different than a traditional thru-hike. Some interspersed humor about lost phones and such helped with the slight monotony of, "Jen had a great day, hiked a lot of miles, ate McDonald's". I actually liked the last part about her speed hike of The Long Trail even better than the book itself.
The fact that Jennifer and her husband are Christians and give all the glory in all they do to God is a blessing to me as well.
My favorite quote, in the last section of the book, "If I expected the trail this summer to fill a void, then I would be highly disappointed. the truth is, as wonderful as the trail is, it cannot complete you. However, it can change you. ....The trail has helped me to become more self-confident, patient, and accepting. This summer, the trail taught me to live in the moment, appreciate the small things, and never lose sight of hope."
This quote I think inspires me most because it is in direct contrast to the last backpacking book I read, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail", where a woman credits her transformation to the "power" of the trail. While I know that an intense experience like that can change a person, it can never complete a person, nor heal them.
The fact that Jennifer and her husband are Christians and give all the glory in all they do to God is a blessing to me as well.
My favorite quote, in the last section of the book, "If I expected the trail this summer to fill a void, then I would be highly disappointed. the truth is, as wonderful as the trail is, it cannot complete you. However, it can change you. ....The trail has helped me to become more self-confident, patient, and accepting. This summer, the trail taught me to live in the moment, appreciate the small things, and never lose sight of hope."
This quote I think inspires me most because it is in direct contrast to the last backpacking book I read, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail", where a woman credits her transformation to the "power" of the trail. While I know that an intense experience like that can change a person, it can never complete a person, nor heal them.
July 3, 2022
Its very short and easy to read, but basically amounts to 46 daily instagram posts that are more focused on the team and husband than Jen. Not really a book. Just, John Joe and Jane were with me to help today, woke up at x time, we drove here, saw her at x time and fed her this. John went home because y but this and that person will meet us tomorrow.
November 25, 2016
Inspiring read
The book was really inspiring. The tenacity and strength it took to complete the trail in 46 days had me awestruck. The finish, however, needed more pomp and circumstance- the endeavor was amazing!
The book was really inspiring. The tenacity and strength it took to complete the trail in 46 days had me awestruck. The finish, however, needed more pomp and circumstance- the endeavor was amazing!
January 22, 2017
Interesting
Not much to it. I'd much rather have read Jen's accounts, or at least more from her, or more something.
Not much to it. I'd much rather have read Jen's accounts, or at least more from her, or more something.
June 22, 2022
Could have been an email.
June 12, 2022
As his wife hiked into the record books by completing the Appalachian Trail faster than anyone before her (at the time) Brew Davis and a rotating cast of friends provided food, water and shelter to Jennifer Pharr Davis, meeting her at road crossings or hiking in to supply her needs. This slim volume contains the daily blog entries Brew Davis put online during the 46 days it took Pharr Davis to complete her hike. While not an exhaustive or compelling account of the record breaking hike, Brew's reprinted blog entries provide an in-the-moment look at what it was like from his point of view to watch and help his wife walk into the history books. Well worth the time to read more than a decade after the ordeal, Brew provides humor and behind the scenes glimpses as he, and we, follow day by day.
March 19, 2020
This book is more of a day to day blog than a book. It covers the effort of the author to cover the Appalachian trail [over 2,000 miles] in its entirety in record time. Daily it records miles, significant events, resupply, wildlife seen, the efforts of the crew and observations of the journey. The subject is a 28 year old compulsively driven female whose personality adds much to this adventure. Her husband is in charge of resupply, finding fast food outlets, meeting at the next road crossing the trail and in writing this journal. By the end it wore me out sitting in my rocker at home, but I was envious of the accomplishment.
July 12, 2018
If you are considering a long hike, this book is a must read.
February 28, 2019
Book club read. Quick, easy read. Written almost in diary style.
May 13, 2023
An easy read of the blog posts Brew made while Jennifer was on the trail. I would suggest it as a companion read to Jennifer's Called Again.
September 6, 2023
You have to read Called Again by Jennifer Pharr Davis first! This is a quick read of Brew’s blog during the hike.
January 6, 2025
An interesting read, not nearly as good as the Grandna Gatewood story.
June 21, 2017
Big old meh.
I read and enjoyed Becoming Odyssa, Jennifer Pharr Davis's account of her first go at the Appalachian Trail, some time ago. 46 Days, her husband's account of providing trail support on Davis's third (and record-breaking) AT thru-hike, was available at the library, so...why not?
I suppose that's generally a rhetorical question, but I'll answer it anyway: this just isn't very interesting. I understand how it came about: Davis was keeping a blog during the month and a half that they were out there, some people saw it and gushed 'this should totally be a book!' and there was enough interest to make that a reality. Which, okay, fine. But...blog writing is not the same as book writing, and this transcends blog writing maybe twice: in the foreword (written by Jennifer Pharr Davis) and in the 'reflections' at the end...written by Jennifer Pharr Davis.
Now, I'm not knocking blog writing, or this blog writing. There are a number of blogs that I follow religiously; if I'd run into this blog back when Davis was writing it, I might have followed it just for kicks. There are also plenty of writers whose books I read religiously but whose blogs I have no interest in (for numerous reasons). My point is just that different mediums call for different kinds of writing, and this is very much blog writing.
I have no way of knowing how much was edited and added, but the actual written content here is pretty short. An entry for each day, many if not most of them only a page or a page and a half long. (A lot of extra page space is taken up with photos and grey pages between chapters.) A TON of time devoted to where Davis drove to meet up with his wife and what food he brought for her. Occasional abuse of the word 'awesome' (three uses in two pages is at least two uses too many).
I don't expect a ton of details about the hiking, considering that Davis wasn't there for that part of things (...and considering that Jennifer Pharr Davis wrote her own book about this thru-hike). But I'd really hoped for...well...more interesting details? Like: I've read a lot more about through hikes and long-distance races and the like than I have about the behind-the-scenes details. How was the car (or cars?) set up? How often did they stay in hotels vs. tents? What did their morning routine look like, or their evening routine? What did their supply list look like? He responds to a reader question about clothing by saying just that all of Pharr Davis's clothing was from a particular company (a sponsor), which seems to be rather missing the point. What did their campsites look like?
I'm grasping here, because I'm not sure how much there really is to pull from the support perspective, but...at the very least, maybe some secondary through-threads of story...as it was, it was a very fast read but not an engaging one.
I read and enjoyed Becoming Odyssa, Jennifer Pharr Davis's account of her first go at the Appalachian Trail, some time ago. 46 Days, her husband's account of providing trail support on Davis's third (and record-breaking) AT thru-hike, was available at the library, so...why not?
I suppose that's generally a rhetorical question, but I'll answer it anyway: this just isn't very interesting. I understand how it came about: Davis was keeping a blog during the month and a half that they were out there, some people saw it and gushed 'this should totally be a book!' and there was enough interest to make that a reality. Which, okay, fine. But...blog writing is not the same as book writing, and this transcends blog writing maybe twice: in the foreword (written by Jennifer Pharr Davis) and in the 'reflections' at the end...written by Jennifer Pharr Davis.
Now, I'm not knocking blog writing, or this blog writing. There are a number of blogs that I follow religiously; if I'd run into this blog back when Davis was writing it, I might have followed it just for kicks. There are also plenty of writers whose books I read religiously but whose blogs I have no interest in (for numerous reasons). My point is just that different mediums call for different kinds of writing, and this is very much blog writing.
I have no way of knowing how much was edited and added, but the actual written content here is pretty short. An entry for each day, many if not most of them only a page or a page and a half long. (A lot of extra page space is taken up with photos and grey pages between chapters.) A TON of time devoted to where Davis drove to meet up with his wife and what food he brought for her. Occasional abuse of the word 'awesome' (three uses in two pages is at least two uses too many).
I don't expect a ton of details about the hiking, considering that Davis wasn't there for that part of things (...and considering that Jennifer Pharr Davis wrote her own book about this thru-hike). But I'd really hoped for...well...more interesting details? Like: I've read a lot more about through hikes and long-distance races and the like than I have about the behind-the-scenes details. How was the car (or cars?) set up? How often did they stay in hotels vs. tents? What did their morning routine look like, or their evening routine? What did their supply list look like? He responds to a reader question about clothing by saying just that all of Pharr Davis's clothing was from a particular company (a sponsor), which seems to be rather missing the point. What did their campsites look like?
I'm grasping here, because I'm not sure how much there really is to pull from the support perspective, but...at the very least, maybe some secondary through-threads of story...as it was, it was a very fast read but not an engaging one.
June 4, 2016
I recently finished Jennifer Pharr Davis' book about her incredible journey to set a speed record on the AT, so I was really excited to see that her husband wrote a book about the experience as well. Both of them talk about how it's more of a love story than the chronicling of a speed record and I couldn't agree more. I am a huge fan of both of these incredible people. Jennifer is obviously Wonder Woman. Her husband is a superhero for his ability to support and encourage her along the way, always concerned for her needs physically and emotionally. It's an inspiring story. I was recently talking to my husband about it, thinking back on how tough our own first year of marriage was, and we were just remodeling our house! Here, these two are hiking this insane trail, trying to accomplish what hadn't been done before by a woman, right after they got married. Brew has a great sense of humor and an endearing devotion to Jen. I loved his shorter, more food-oriented account of her hike. They live in Asheville and I really hope I get to meet them someday on one of our trips over there.
June 3, 2012
I read Jennifer Pharr's "Becoming Odyssa" a few months ago and loved it. I was surprised to discover her record in the aftermath of my book reading,and wanted to read this story. What does it take to break the record?
I read it in one afternoon. It's truly an incredible story - not just of Pharr Davis's perseverance and ability, but that of her "Pit Crew's" dedication to staying with her, being there at all the different stops to give her supplies and encouragement. While her husband himself could not walk any major distance due to an ACL injury (been there!) he did an outstanding job of being organized and focused to see that the support side did what it was supposed to do.
I loved all the sneak peeks at the various Crew members and how unselfish they were in their assistance. Also enjoyed seeing the faith of the Davis's so profoundly pronounced in this book.
So sad to see the story end in a way. But really the lesson is not in the destination, but the journey!
I read it in one afternoon. It's truly an incredible story - not just of Pharr Davis's perseverance and ability, but that of her "Pit Crew's" dedication to staying with her, being there at all the different stops to give her supplies and encouragement. While her husband himself could not walk any major distance due to an ACL injury (been there!) he did an outstanding job of being organized and focused to see that the support side did what it was supposed to do.
I loved all the sneak peeks at the various Crew members and how unselfish they were in their assistance. Also enjoyed seeing the faith of the Davis's so profoundly pronounced in this book.
So sad to see the story end in a way. But really the lesson is not in the destination, but the journey!
October 14, 2012
This book was written as a daily blog by Jen's husband as he and others supported her attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail faster than ever done by man or woman. I read this before "Becoming Odyssa" which was Jen's first thru-hike of the AT. It is amazing the amount of support and organization needed to do this and I was quite taken with the people who joined Jen on the trail for hours or days at a time. I found both her first thru-hike then this record-breaking attempt to be both inspiring and enlightening in how they challenged and changed her for the better. She's a super freak and I say that with envy and admiration.
January 30, 2014
Since I'm a walker and hiker (Walking the World: Memories and Adventures) this book appealed to me, as it should to anybody who has ever done any long distance hiking, or perhaps just walked around the block. Jennifer Pharr Davis is an extraordinary hiker and she deserves accolades for setting the speed record for hiking the Appalachian Trail. The book, which is a daily blog written by her husband, Brew, who was in charge of her support team, tantalizes but doesn't really tell the whole story. However, it's enough to get us rooting for Jennifer, and to feel her pain and exaltation as she pursues the challenge of the trail.
April 9, 2012
Entertaining collection of the blog entries chronicling Jennifer Pharr Davis's record setting traverse of the Appalachian Trail. The AT community will appreciate Brew's firsthand account, enhanced here by photographs and poignant essays from Jennifer regarding her experience. Her insistence that the Trail belongs to everyone who finds greater meaning from its use, whether for an afternoon or a lifetime, validates the experience of many hikers who only dream of the 2000 mile traverse.
November 21, 2013
I really enjoyed Jennifer's first book "Becoming Odyssa" and hoped this would be like that one. This book is from her husband's point of view while being in the Pit Crew helping her break the record. I think anybody who knows the trail, or wanting to hike it, would understand the road crossings and landmarks he talks about. I can't believe how many miles Jennifer can hike and the food that she can eat!
March 23, 2013
When Jenn was attempting to break the speed record for the Appalachian Trail, I followed her husband's blog. After that I read her book "Becoming Odyssa" about her first time through the AT. Finally I picked up this book which I didn't realize was basically the blog in book form. It was still nice to revisit the adventure of the crew. I read on my nook while at the gym, so it was a good motivation to read about Jenn's 40+ mile hikes.
August 22, 2013
Brew Davis supported his wife, Jennifer's, attempt to break to fastest overall hike of the Appalachian Trail which she accomplished in just 46 days. This book is his record based upon his blog entries of his side of what it took to support her through by providing food and shelter at obscure trail crossings, the companionship of other hikers for portions of her journey and the moral support of a loving husband and fellow hiker. BEst read as a followup to Jennifer's own book.
January 21, 2014
The negative reviews on Amazon were right. This really is a blog of mileage covered and dietary intake, but I still liked it. The story is just fascinating to me no matter which angle I read it from.
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." Earth Apples: The Poetry of Edward Abbey 1994, quoted in the forward of this book
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." Earth Apples: The Poetry of Edward Abbey 1994, quoted in the forward of this book
September 30, 2016
This book was basically a compilation of Jen's husband's blog entries when she Jen hiked the AT in record time. It was neat to see the dedication they both put into the hike and interesting to get a feel about the logistics. But, I had trouble envisioning a lot of it. It would have been helpful if there had been a map on each page to show which portion of the AT they were on. I didn't leave the book with a "wow" factor and I wish I had.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews