A 2020 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike: I Am Nothing without my Food Bag

by Chris Pratt

In 2020 the author and his brother completed a thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, totaling 2,193 miles. The author kept a journal during the thru-hike, and some of the author's family and friends expressed interest in reading the journal. The bulk of this book is the author's daily journal of the thru-hike. For context, the author, who was new to backpacking, briefly describes his trail research and process for preparing for the thru-hike. Never intending to write a book, this book was principally compiled for the author's own benefit and to share with family and friends who expressed an interest in reading the material. The author offers this book at cost to anyone who may be interested.

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2022

Reviews

[jamie thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good daily journal of AT

I really liked the daily account of the Pratt brothers journey on the AT. It gave good details of what to expect even though they did it during the Covid lockdowns. They brought mouse traps with them and trapped over 300 mice in AT shelters and nearby tent sites. They got mixed reactions to their trapping but I'm sure they saved their packs and food bags from being chewed through by the mice.

[Ben Twoonezero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because this trip is so long the detail of people and places is limited . It's like a outline of the trip rather than the full picture. A shorter walk over 40 days like the Santiago de compostela lends itself better to this time of book, as more flesh could be added to people and events.

[Rita Mellett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text contained much specific information, but I found it somewhat too didactic. Additionally, I didn't appreciate the high mouse death count; I believe a nature lover shouldn't have to be reminded of the cruelties faced by species. Therefore, my rating is “meh.”