Only When I Step On It: One Man's Inspiring Journey to Hike The Appalachian Trail Alone

by Peter E Conti

It was 23 months after his accident and Peter was still dealing with constant excruciating pain. He'd seen dozens of doctors and tried a myriad of medications, but nothing seemed to work. Faced with the impossible choice of suffering through the rest of his life, he had an unlikely "If I could somehow hike 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail, then my leg will have to be better." He set a starting date three weeks out, cobbled together a novice's pack, and set off on a journey destined to change his life forever—though not exactly how he had envisioned it. From the bleakest breakdowns to hilarious adventures, Peter's story is equal parts entertaining, enthralling, and enlightening. Join him on the trail, one step in front of the other, as he searches for some way to heal his body and soul while struggling with chronic pain, anxiety and depression. Can Reading This Book Really Change Your Life? If you've enjoyed best selling memoirs & biographies by authors like Cheryl Strayed, Bill Bryson, and Grandma Gatewood, then you'll enjoy this inspiring memoir about hiking the Appalachian Trail. If you're struggling to find hope and healing after trauma, you'll find encouragement to get back up. You might even find the courage to give solo travel a try yourself.

Scroll Up to Buy Now From the bleakest breakdowns to hilarious adventures, Peter's story is equal parts entertaining, enthralling, and enlightening. Join him on the trail, one step in front of the other, in search of healing body and soul. Everyone endures their own hardships in life, but fewer people have the courage to walk alone into the unknown to change it. Peter's stubbornly hopeful pursuit of a better life left me shaken, inspired, and grateful; a thru-hike is now on my bucket list, but so is taking smaller steps towards my dreams today. There's something about his story that sticks with you and makes you think. If he can do that, I can do anything.
- Karina Monesson From the forward... As a hiker with my own challenges I fell in love with this book. It captures the insanity that I experienced first hand during my time on the trail with the author. I really enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Trail but when I can’t hike, I enjoy reading hiking books before going to bed. This book has elements of trauma recovery just like Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling book Wild, where she decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone. It was after the author shared his inner struggles with anxiety and panic attacks while interweaving hilarious stories reminiscent of Bill Bryson’s bestseller, A Walk in The Woods, that I realized I can’t put it down. After I finish reading this for the third time (yes, it’s that good!) it’s going on the shelf right between my two other all time favorite page turner novels, John Grisham’s The Judge’s List and The Boys by Ron Howard. Don’t let the title make you think this is a foot injury story - it’s an amazing journey from the depths of the author’s heart and soul. - Gail “Dr Fix-it” Hinshaw - Author of Katahdin or Bust : Increasing Your Odds of Enjoying Hiking or Backpacking Scroll Up to Buy Now

Genres: Nonfiction

466 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[Divyesh Sheth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring tale by Peter on how he overcame debilitating injury to his leg/foot by hiking the Appalachian Train (AT). Someone who had never hiked before, Peter decided that to overcome his pain and self doubt, he has to hike the AT as a through hiker (finish AT in one calendar year). He does not accomplish the goal in a calendar year, nonetheless he still completes AT over two years. His forthright style and vulnerable prose really hits home and inspires you to achieve your goals and shows how to persevere even when you are doubting yourself on daily basis.

[Grace Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter’s journey will leave you laughing, empathizing and thinking. He has managed to find a great balance between narrating his adventures on the trail and sharing the lessons that he learned along the way, so it feels like you are really there talking with him as he does along.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow is this book repetitive. While an inspiring story, Conti is not a writer and he needed a better editor. It’s too long and again, he says the same things over and over. Skip this unless you have a lot of patience.

[Alicia Borowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel guilty that I did not like this author or book. I pushed myself to read it.
I am very impressed at what Conti accomplished with chronic pain.
The writing is choppy, repetitive and had poor transitions.
Skip this.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational.

[Lois]

Engaging read and moving story. I would recommend it.
More interesting since I live near the AT and know some of the places he mentioned.