There Are Mountains to Climb: An Inspirational Journey

by Jean Deeds

Highly praised account of a 51-year-old woman's 1990s thru-hike and the personal and recreational lessons she learned along the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Nature, Biography, Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[Susie Knoll]

Terri coe recommended. She spoke at st Luke’s

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I've read other books on AT Hikes and this one was very interesting. This book was recommended to me by the wife of a couple who had completed a thru-hike of the AT. She was motivated to thru hike the AT after reading Jean's book. While I think it would be an interesting and memorable experience, I do not feel the "need" to thru-hike the AT as many others who end up thru-hiking do before they set out on their journey.

Stories like Jean's restore my faith in mankind as you experience the kindness of strangers and the happy coincidences that occur to a traveler when they are on a journey such as a thru-hike. It's great to read books such as this one to keep you grounded - remember that there is more to life than just your job and the silly things that crop up in the over-complicated lives we've woven for ourselves. When it all comes down to it, all we need is food, shelter and water. The experience of thru hiking in the AT is a great reminder of what's really important in life.

Great book for those who enjoy adventure travel and/or memoirs.

[Tim Lathrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! As a through-hiker of the Appalachian Trail, I think this book did an excellent job of portraying life on the trail. It brought back a lot of memories I had. Although Jean hiked North while I hiked South, we visited many of the same places. I especially was interested in Jean’s explanation of Rusty’s, a place I visited and long-remember. It seems that for Jean the trail was often a story about people. Hiking South, my story was less about people and more about nature, peace, and seclusion. I did enjoy meeting people but hiking south there are much fewer through hikers to spend multiple days with. Jean sometimes had a struggle with mental fatigue. This is not something I experienced. I loved Jean’s perspectives and eloquence. This book has reinvigorated my thoughts of a new through hike. I’d love to hike North next time to attain a whole different experience. I tried to contact Jean after reading this book. Sadly she passed recently. Condolences to her family.

[Dee Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel lukewarm about this book. I liked it when she revealed that she wanted so much to feel her dead father's spirit on her journey. Then she realized that she was feeling him through the hikers who had helped her on the trail. And she dedicated her hike to her father. That was nice.

But I missed the details of the walk; the day to day happenings that embellish a story such as this one. It's an incredible undertaking, and what always interests me is how each person is tested along the way. I got generalities in this book. She obviously was genuinely touched and changed by her journey. She never made me care a great deal about her experience, and I wanted to.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found myself routing for the author to complete the trail as I read through.

[Jenny Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently re-readng this book again as I'm planning to hike a section of the AT in April.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best thru-hiker book written by a woman. While she complains, like anyone who has hiked the distance, it is always with a positive spin on the perspective. She is pragmatic, yet equally funny. Always up for anew experience or encounter with a new friend. She pulls no punches while describing her time in the woods. Definitely a recommended read for lovers of AT adventures.

[Cheryl Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back around 1996 and was so inspired by it, I attempted my own hike of the AT. I didn't plan on being a thru hiker, but I thought I could make it 30 days. Instead I made it 3. It was something I will never forget, and would do it again if I had company.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these adventure/memoirs, and this is yet another great one about a 50 year old lady who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. Inspiring. I loved reading about her trials and triumphs and all the people she met and lessons she learned. Very well written and interesting.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truely inspiring book about about a 55 year-old woman who had no backpacking experience and quit her job to hike the Applachian Trail.

[Mike]

Wonderful story .. hope to thru hike the AT someday .. thinking about Jean's experiences each step of the way.

[Rebecca]

Excited about this book because i dream of hiking the entire appalachian trail:)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put this down!

[Cheryl Goveia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I don't know if this is really a 4 star book...but I am developing a strong desire to hike the AT so for me, it was that good.

[Gary Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and interesting read. I am so glad Jean Deeds documented her journey in life as well as on the trail. Wonderfully inspiring.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, makes me want to hike the AT but I probably never will.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this not sure I have what she has to hike Appalachian. Good book