What do you think?
Rate this book
Chasing the Smokies Moon: An audacious 948 mile hike--fueled by love, loss, laughter, and lunacy
Before she went missing, Susan Clements was hiking with her daughter on one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, less than a mile from Clingmans Dome.
When Nancy East's search and rescue team joined the effort to find her, she learned Susan was a mother to three children who adored her. What Nancy didn't know then was how much the search for Susan would impact and influence her own life's path afterward.
Two years later, Nancy and her good friend, Chris Ford, set out to improve the speed record of hiking all 801 miles of trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park while raising funds for hiker safety and preparedness.
While chasing the record, the duo faced tropical storm rains, swollen, unbridged creek crossings, injuries, night hiking, and wildlife encounters. Their arduous journey also became intertwined in one of the most rare human-bear tragedies in the park's history. Maintaining a positive mental attitude was their superpower through it all.
The enormous feat of endurance was one of the most grueling endeavors that Nancy, a mother and everyday athlete, had ever faced. However, the hardest things she had endured were in her past. The strength she gained from those experiences was now moving her forward, one difficult step at a time.
Chasing the Smokies Moon is a story of grief, hope, empowerment, and love, and the thread that binds them all.
When Nancy East's search and rescue team joined the effort to find her, she learned Susan was a mother to three children who adored her. What Nancy didn't know then was how much the search for Susan would impact and influence her own life's path afterward.
Two years later, Nancy and her good friend, Chris Ford, set out to improve the speed record of hiking all 801 miles of trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park while raising funds for hiker safety and preparedness.
While chasing the record, the duo faced tropical storm rains, swollen, unbridged creek crossings, injuries, night hiking, and wildlife encounters. Their arduous journey also became intertwined in one of the most rare human-bear tragedies in the park's history. Maintaining a positive mental attitude was their superpower through it all.
The enormous feat of endurance was one of the most grueling endeavors that Nancy, a mother and everyday athlete, had ever faced. However, the hardest things she had endured were in her past. The strength she gained from those experiences was now moving her forward, one difficult step at a time.
Chasing the Smokies Moon is a story of grief, hope, empowerment, and love, and the thread that binds them all.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2021
19 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 12, 2022
I love to see the hiking genre expanding— and Nancy’s story about an FKT of all the trail in the Smokies is a fresh take. It has everything you love from a thruhiking story, plus a totally different logistical puzzle and a shower at the end of every day. The hike was inspired by and in benefit of more safety and education in Great Smoky National Park. An important cause as books like this one inspire more new hikers into the woods! Congrats Nancy on the FKT and sharing your story so beautifully.
November 22, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. As an avid hiker and pursuer of the 900 myself, the stories Nancy tells about her FKT felt familiar, as were many of the names along the way. As women like Heather Anderson and Jennifer Pharr Davis have been inspirational to many of us hiking women over the years, Nancy joins their ranks by making it seem possible for other women to set out on the trail and accomplish something incredible. Her trail efforts are intertwined with personal stories from her SAR experience as well. So much of the local Smokies hiking “news” is given some backstory here, and it was once again sobering to realize the power Mother Nature has. I also love her friendship with Chris, who achieved this feat with her. As a married woman who also has a male hiking partner, I love that the friendship is normalized in the book and that their spouses supported their efforts. There is also incredibly practical hiking information included as part of the book. As someone who’s seen way too many people wearing cotton on the trail, I love that her story also reinforces the need for backcountry preparedness. Such a special book that anyone who loves hiking or the Smokies will really appreciate!
March 29, 2024
An utter delight of a read!
November 27, 2021
This book is a colorful account of a 948 mile hike of all the trails in Smoky Mountain National Park in an astonishing record time of only 30 days. Causal and avid hikers alike won’t be able to put this book down. I think of a trail mile being one and a half times tougher than a road mile and so to be doing more than a marathon a day without a few days rest in between is absolutely amazing for anyone, especially someone who doesn’t consider herself natural-born athlete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2021
I was with Nancy every step of the way as I read this book, feeling her pain and exhilaration, her frigid feet and sweating back, her despair and hilarity, and her triumph over self doubt as she set the record for the fastest known time for hiking every trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And thanks to her, I have a new motto: In spite of everything, yes, let’s!
January 2, 2022
As a thru hiker, I cannot even fathom trying to move quickly over some of these trails, so I have mad respect for those who even attempt it. Nancy & Chris not only tackled 947.9 miles of every trail in the Great Smokies in 29 days, but also raised money for hiker safety. Besides the endurance this feat requires, the logistics behind that accomplishment were mind-boggling. And Nancy weaves her own personal stories about being a mother, losing her mother, working search and rescue and more for fantastic storytelling. Her story is a good reminder that there are always downfalls, but you can accept them, find solutions and rise above adversity.
December 3, 2021
Loved this book!! All the emotions and very inspiring! What grit Nancy has!
March 28, 2022
An excellent story of bravery, inspiration and “gut checks”. The author guides you down the trails of the Smokey Mountains while reflecting on her personal challenges and ghosts. Outstanding!
July 29, 2022
Nancy East has shared a grueling adventure that not many would undertake. This book follows her noble quest (with friend, Chris Ford) to establish the Fastest Known Time to cover every foot of the complicated trail system in the Smokies National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. But this well-written memoir is more than a physical achievement. It is the kind of story that can inspire all of us in our personal missions.
In her story East wins the confidence of the reader by her shameless honesty and love of family. With the support of her husband and three children, she takes time out from domestic duties to undertake the Smokies challenge, but that family she has waiting for her is a major source of her staying power in the feat. And in the feet! At the end of each chapter, I felt the visceral pull to go outside and soak my feet in a cold creek.
There are lots of heroes and heroines in this story. Chris is a generous soul and solid rock to lean on. There are shuttle drivers, meal preparers, and friends galore to lend a hand and never mention their own sacrifices.
This is a most entertaining book with humor, struggle, resolution, determination, and triumph. It is a great read for women, especially, to follow a trek that was once considered a male province. But, men of the world, do not overlook this colorful journal! Children, too! You will all find yourselves absorbed in this adventure as you travel right alongside this unwavering hiker by her well-crafted prose.
Give yourself a very verdant gift and walk along with Nancy as she shares the depths of her soul along the trails that she loves. You'll probably feel like you have acquired a new friend.
In her story East wins the confidence of the reader by her shameless honesty and love of family. With the support of her husband and three children, she takes time out from domestic duties to undertake the Smokies challenge, but that family she has waiting for her is a major source of her staying power in the feat. And in the feet! At the end of each chapter, I felt the visceral pull to go outside and soak my feet in a cold creek.
There are lots of heroes and heroines in this story. Chris is a generous soul and solid rock to lean on. There are shuttle drivers, meal preparers, and friends galore to lend a hand and never mention their own sacrifices.
This is a most entertaining book with humor, struggle, resolution, determination, and triumph. It is a great read for women, especially, to follow a trek that was once considered a male province. But, men of the world, do not overlook this colorful journal! Children, too! You will all find yourselves absorbed in this adventure as you travel right alongside this unwavering hiker by her well-crafted prose.
Give yourself a very verdant gift and walk along with Nancy as she shares the depths of her soul along the trails that she loves. You'll probably feel like you have acquired a new friend.
December 4, 2021
Just coming back from a Smokies backpacking trip, I was able to visualize several of the areas Nancy discussed. I felt every emotion she was feeling thanks to her writing , even though our trip wasn’t a FKT.
January 4, 2022
I love to read anything hiking related, especially if it's about about the Smokies. This was well written, and Nancy East has a unique insight as a member of a Search and Rescue team. In addition to detailing the joys and trials of her FKT attempt, she pays a respectful and beautiful tribute to Susan Clements. And the fact that her quest raised money for Friends of the Smokies Preventive SAR education makes it even better!
February 25, 2022
As an avid hiker I enjoyed this personal account of FKT in the Smokies 900.
February 16, 2022
Such a great read! Not only is it a captivating story of physical endurance and obstacles, but Nancy took it upon herself to educate her audience on how to recreate responsibly. She speaks from a place of conviction and knowledge, and tells a beautiful and empowering story along the way. Reading this book made me want to begin checking trails in the Smokies off my list!
December 23, 2021
This book was very inspiring, detailed, personal, funny, honest and informative! I read all in one sitting! It’s definitely one of favorite books about hiking. Check it out!!!
January 30, 2022
Three and one half stars. Personal account of a 48 year old woman who sets out to break a record of walking the Smokies Trails in order to raise money and awareness for pre-hike preparedness. In light of another death of a hiker in the Smokies who went for a short hike with her daughter and got off the trail, and later died of hypothermia due to the fact she had no emergency supplies or was even dressed for a night in the higher evelations, leads the author to hike for funds to increase recreational hiker awareness of being prepared when entering the trails.
Her trials and daily updates on her walk were somewhat entertaining, but felt repetitive after she was half completed. Easy read for those interested in hiker awareness and the Smoky Mountains trails.
Her trials and daily updates on her walk were somewhat entertaining, but felt repetitive after she was half completed. Easy read for those interested in hiker awareness and the Smoky Mountains trails.
February 13, 2022
Book rating is 3.5 stars but because of the effort and other aspects that went towards the local SAR program that the author is part of I gave the rating of 4 stars, but content alone is less.
Kudos to her editor, for a self published book I did not encounter one grammatical error which seems to be a rarity today.
I was really looking forward to reading this book, while I personally do not know the author personally we both share a love of the Smokies and hike in the area quite a bit. When I was reading the book I have to always remind myself that the endeavor of the FKT was not a walk in the park so to speak but that of endurance hiking. So perhaps what I was expecting out of the book and the reality just don’t match up. But I was really hoping to have the author connect with the trails a bit more. Some chapters I felt had a little bit more heart than others and that allowed me to connect to each hiking segment a bit more. Many of the chapters which were just a few pages long to me were far too brief as to the journey for me to ultimately be true engrossed in the journey aspect of the story.
In many ways I feel that the book is just an extension of the blog that the author kept at the same time, but the book does not in my opinion expand on the same on that same content.
I think it is really phenomenal what the author and her partner accomplished but for me there just was not enough depth to keep me engrossed in her journey and as I mentioned maybe this is just my issue because when you are hiking as much as they hiked on any given day and in darkness maybe there just wasn’t much of an experience involved, but I just feel that the reader could have a better concept of what some of the trails involved if there had been a tad more detail.
Kudos to her editor, for a self published book I did not encounter one grammatical error which seems to be a rarity today.
I was really looking forward to reading this book, while I personally do not know the author personally we both share a love of the Smokies and hike in the area quite a bit. When I was reading the book I have to always remind myself that the endeavor of the FKT was not a walk in the park so to speak but that of endurance hiking. So perhaps what I was expecting out of the book and the reality just don’t match up. But I was really hoping to have the author connect with the trails a bit more. Some chapters I felt had a little bit more heart than others and that allowed me to connect to each hiking segment a bit more. Many of the chapters which were just a few pages long to me were far too brief as to the journey for me to ultimately be true engrossed in the journey aspect of the story.
In many ways I feel that the book is just an extension of the blog that the author kept at the same time, but the book does not in my opinion expand on the same on that same content.
I think it is really phenomenal what the author and her partner accomplished but for me there just was not enough depth to keep me engrossed in her journey and as I mentioned maybe this is just my issue because when you are hiking as much as they hiked on any given day and in darkness maybe there just wasn’t much of an experience involved, but I just feel that the reader could have a better concept of what some of the trails involved if there had been a tad more detail.
June 26, 2022
In a glorious setting of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nancy East's trail memoir is rich in purpose, aspirations, and resolutions. Her extraordinary true story is about her 2020 endeavor with friend Chris to break the Fastest Known Time while hiking all 948 miles of wilderness trails in the Smokies.
The inspiration for East's goal is poignant and meaningful. Grief for her mother's death from cancer merged with the heartbreaking aftershock of the 2018 death of hiker Susan Clements in the Smokies. Passionate about trail and outdoor safety through work with the Smoky Mountains Preventative Search and Rescue Program, East set out to raise money for this cause as she started this monumentous venture.
I've camped, hiked, and backpacked myself some in the Smoky Mountains and enjoyed East's descriptions of history, flora, and fauna of the region. She shares the intricacies of planning car shuttles, shelter, food, and time management for this feat. I'm glad that the book included her family connections and as well, for snapshots into her life overall. Strong, smart, and capable women such as East inspire me to push through life's challenges and keep setting goals. With humor, spirit, and steadfast focus, she takes readers up the mountains, across the streams, and along the paths of the majestic Smokies.
The inspiration for East's goal is poignant and meaningful. Grief for her mother's death from cancer merged with the heartbreaking aftershock of the 2018 death of hiker Susan Clements in the Smokies. Passionate about trail and outdoor safety through work with the Smoky Mountains Preventative Search and Rescue Program, East set out to raise money for this cause as she started this monumentous venture.
I've camped, hiked, and backpacked myself some in the Smoky Mountains and enjoyed East's descriptions of history, flora, and fauna of the region. She shares the intricacies of planning car shuttles, shelter, food, and time management for this feat. I'm glad that the book included her family connections and as well, for snapshots into her life overall. Strong, smart, and capable women such as East inspire me to push through life's challenges and keep setting goals. With humor, spirit, and steadfast focus, she takes readers up the mountains, across the streams, and along the paths of the majestic Smokies.
March 25, 2023
Nancy East writes an amazing work about her challenging adventure in "Chasing the Smokies Moon". She and her companion hiker, Chris Ford set out to hike all the pathways within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in record time. Nancy wanted to draw attention to and raise money for SAR, search, and rescue teams that are called in when adventurers go missing in the park. Nancy saw the need for more education for those venturing out on the trails to prevent some of the tragic results she had seen. This book documents the grueling high-speed hiking that she endured along with fellow hiker and friend Chris Ford. In record time, thru all kinds of weather and conditions Nancy and Chris hiked 948 miles in 29 days. Doing this required loss of sleep, family time, and stress on the body. Nancy and Chris accomplished what they set out to do. Nancy reflects on the journey, what kept her going, her thoughts, and the beautiful vistas and experiences within that experience. This is a great read whether you are just an introspective individual, a resident of the area that surrounds the park, or an avid hiker, the journey inside of Nancy was as memorable as the record-breaking event. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and her writing style. Thanks, Nancy for a great book.
November 27, 2021
Nancy and her partner Chris hiked all the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a record setting time, the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for all 900 miles of trails. More than just a rehash of each day's hike, she interjects humor and self reflection into each chapter. This is a very engaging and entertaining read. You feel that you're there with her on the trail, sharing her highs and lows, sharing her innermost thoughts and self reflection. While her accomplishment makes her superhuman in my eyes, her thoughtful reflections and stories that she shares makes her very relatable. She shares the same concerns and insecurities that all of us have, and she opens her heart and says out loud to the world the thoughts that we keep inside us, this makes her story even more engaging. This is a "must read" for anyone who has read other books by AT or PCT hikers; even casual hikers will enjoy this book. Put this one on your Christmas list!
October 17, 2022
My husband and I met Nancy on our 54th Anniversary trip to The Swag in Maggie Valley, NC, where she was a Guest Lecturer. Her audience was enthralled at the story of her 948 mile hike with her good friend, Chris. The next morning I went on a Nancy-guided sunrise hike and experienced firsthand her caring, knowledgeable nature. Then when we were about to leave we bought a signed copy of this book, and it is a gift that keeps on giving. I chose to read the daily chapters each morning so I could take a journey of my own and it fueled my own stick-to-itiveness each day. Nancy has a clear, open writing style that brings you into the moment with her. I especially loved the photos taken each day and her love for her family and the support she garnered from her friends and families. For me this was the ultimate guide to finishing a challenge you start for yourself.
October 31, 2022
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, September 2020. Nancy East was determined to make a difference. After a heartbreaking Search & Rescue mission she was on ended in the discovery of a body, the woman still grieving her own mother’s passing felt compelled to help prevent more fatal hiking accidents. Partnering with a close friend, the middle-aged everyday athlete set out to cover the wilderness area's 900+ miles of trail faster than anyone before to raise money for safety and preparedness measures. Struggling with early injuries and intrusive self-conscious thoughts, Nancy confronted insecurities about her career, parenting skills, and her mom’s fight with cancer. And as she persevered despite torrential storms and dangerous terrain, her crippling uncertainties began to transform into heart-healing peace.
February 27, 2023
An inspiring tale of an unbelievable and impressive hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All the trails, All the miles. In less than 30 days. The perseverance to not only complete the trails for the Fastest Known Time (FKT), but also the dedication to raise awareness and promote safety and preparedness while raising funds to ensure much needed programs are provided for all hikers is a true testament. I recently met the author and subsequently devoured the book. I'm ready to hit the trails. Safely, of course.
January 28, 2024
Chasing the Smokies Moon is a good story describing the conquest of hiking all the trails in the Smokies National Park in less than 30 days to set the fastest known time for the task. East does a good job describing the journey and retaining a positive attitude. This was quite a task and the commitment was impressive. I picked up this book on a weekend trip to Asheville, NC and found the area simply gorgeous. We did a little bit of hiking and I would love to hike the full area but not in less than 30 days. 3 stars and recommended for aspiring hikers.
June 1, 2023
I just happened to run into Nancy at a book signing at a Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountain National Park this week. She was so nice and gave a quick synopsis of her book. I immediately bought it and am so glad I did. It’s truly inspiring and well written. The day by day travelogue with its description of the ups and downs of long distance hiking really brought the reader with her (and her hiking partner, Chris). Would certainly recommend!
September 18, 2023
inspiring and moving
The goal Nancy and Chris set out to achieve is awe-inspiring! This book is so much more than a log of many up and down miles. Nancy is vulnerable, open and honest about her self-doubts and the difficulties she endured. Her kindness comes through as she gives so much credit to her family, hiking partner, his wife and friends. She moved me to tears multiple times with her heart-felt stories of loss and love. I’m impressed!!
The goal Nancy and Chris set out to achieve is awe-inspiring! This book is so much more than a log of many up and down miles. Nancy is vulnerable, open and honest about her self-doubts and the difficulties she endured. Her kindness comes through as she gives so much credit to her family, hiking partner, his wife and friends. She moved me to tears multiple times with her heart-felt stories of loss and love. I’m impressed!!
May 3, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this journey on the trails of the Great Smoky Mountain Park! East provides a heart-felt, emotional journey that makes me seriously want to take up hiking, even if I live at sea-level with no mountains around. She’s given me trails to consider as summer approaches, and I just may give some a shot!
October 7, 2024
Must Read for the Casual Hiker
This book will inspire you to explore and appreciate our stunning mountains. At the same time, it will compel you to carefully consider how to stay safe, even in unforeseen circumstances. Thank you, Nancy East, for your compassionate and expert guidance.
This book will inspire you to explore and appreciate our stunning mountains. At the same time, it will compel you to carefully consider how to stay safe, even in unforeseen circumstances. Thank you, Nancy East, for your compassionate and expert guidance.
November 13, 2022
Very good book
Learning about the trails and you never know what to expect.
No matter what you want if you want it bad enough you can do it
Learning about the trails and you never know what to expect.
No matter what you want if you want it bad enough you can do it
February 10, 2023
I love everything Smokies! I'm going to do a long walking the woods sometime before I can't.
May 7, 2023
I would love to follow in their footsteps, except for the wild pigs, the bears, and the snakes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews