A complete guide on wilderness emergency care. Not for total beginners, you need to have read up on first aid to make the most out of this book. The eA complete guide on wilderness emergency care. Not for total beginners, you need to have read up on first aid to make the most out of this book. The elaborate chapters on herbal treatments are useful, though I wish more emphasis was laid on correct identification of plants before you use them. This book would be a great supplement to, or refresher after, an in-person wilderness emergency class....more
Another Appalachian Trail memoir book, this time by a couple who hiked the whole thing in one go. Sometimes the writing was a bit confusing, switchingAnother Appalachian Trail memoir book, this time by a couple who hiked the whole thing in one go. Sometimes the writing was a bit confusing, switching from first person to third person. Other than that, the writing is nice and atmospheric. They do have a bit of arrogance to them sometimes, being experienced thru-hikers, which annoys me a little, but I also understand it when you're in the woods and see someone who clearly hasn't really thought about everything....more
The second book was just as lovely as the first. It's again quite long, and there's not much practical information for hiking the AT, but that's not tThe second book was just as lovely as the first. It's again quite long, and there's not much practical information for hiking the AT, but that's not the goal of this book. It inspires to go out and walk. What I like most about the two books is that they show the power of connecting with fellow people! I am a bit of a loner, and it's no different during a hike. I avoid talking to people. But the Barefoot Sisters' journey really showed me it can be great to connect to others that have the same interest. Even after 500 pages I was said their adventure had come to an end!...more
This is wonderful! I am planning on hiking the PCT in the following decade, mainly to really immersive myself in nature and as a biologist I always haThis is wonderful! I am planning on hiking the PCT in the following decade, mainly to really immersive myself in nature and as a biologist I always have an eye open for cool plants. This book contains beautiful, inspiring photos, clear descriptions of plant life and just excites me to start my hike even more. I will definitely get a hardcopy closer to my starting date!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to read....more
Planning on hiking the AT in a few years, so I'm already starting on devouring any AT-related book. I know this guidebook is a 2014 edition, but I'm jPlanning on hiking the AT in a few years, so I'm already starting on devouring any AT-related book. I know this guidebook is a 2014 edition, but I'm just reading it to get some sort of idea of the available commodities on the trail. The book starts with a nice introduction of the trail and the "trail rules" and principles. It then continues with altitude profiles, descriptions of shelters and trail towns. I'll be sure to get the right year's edition when I start!...more
Hmm. This should have stayed as a blog I think, it's not enough to be a book. Great parts of the trail are skipped over, because these are combined blHmm. This should have stayed as a blog I think, it's not enough to be a book. Great parts of the trail are skipped over, because these are combined blog posts from when the author could find a computer. I love reading about thru hiking, but from a book I expect or either more entries, covering the full trail or maybe some reflection on what hiking the trail meant to the author. It was a quick read though.....more
DNF @ 30%. I really hate this book. I hated it even more than Wild. It is dragging, overly pretentiously written. The author is constantly contradictiDNF @ 30%. I really hate this book. I hated it even more than Wild. It is dragging, overly pretentiously written. The author is constantly contradicting herself, I can't believe anything she writes. Ofcourse rape is no joke and is seriously traumatizing, but the way it's dealt with in this book is very cringe. There's no growth of the author, but it's a memoir so it can be ofcourse the case. But I hate the total lack of self awareness.
Read this: "But the truth was stranger than an aimless road, it always was. The world was full of blinding mysteries, and I was blind to the truth of what they were. There were things about the world I couldn't understand." The book is filled with mumbo like this. So vague, trying to come off as intellectual, it says nothing. It does not tie in to the story.
Or this: "In dusk's permissiveness I wasn't thinking: I knelt down, picked up the thing, and suddenly, painlessly, my hand was glistening, covered in thick black liquid. I blinked. Thought: venom. Thought: do something. Why can't you ever? Drop it. Run." What is this even? She wasn't thinking, but had all these thoughts? Maybe I just don't understand this, but the writing annoyed me a lot. There's a lot of repetition also. Was this even edited?
Constantly seeking validation from guys, referring to her "fat" body, dumb choices on trail while claiming to have 1000s of miles of hiking experience. Just a tiny selection of the things that annoyed me, there's so much more. Yikes....more
Nice thru-hiking book about the New Zealand TA trail. I think Tim is a great writer who can capture the magic of such a journey well. Now I'm definiteNice thru-hiking book about the New Zealand TA trail. I think Tim is a great writer who can capture the magic of such a journey well. Now I'm definitely sure I need to visit New Zealand some day! And read Tim's other books.....more
This was meh. I love thru-hiking stories, so in that way the book didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, the author comes across as a bit of a dick. He's cThis was meh. I love thru-hiking stories, so in that way the book didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, the author comes across as a bit of a dick. He's condescending, respectless to women and day hikers. He takes a very arrogant tone in most of the book, which started to annoy me greatly. I will not read another book by this author!...more
A nice book on long distance hiking, with helpful and detailed advice. Mostly focused on the Appalachian Trail, but that makes sense when you see the A nice book on long distance hiking, with helpful and detailed advice. Mostly focused on the Appalachian Trail, but that makes sense when you see the title of the book. :-) All advice can be applied to other hikes as well. I found it easy to read and instructive. Some parts are a bit dated (Maps on CD-roms? Hehe). Great for beginners and people interested in long distance hikes....more
It was okay. The author describes hikes in the Netherlands, but the stories aren't very detailed. It's supposed to be more of an inspirational book, bIt was okay. The author describes hikes in the Netherlands, but the stories aren't very detailed. It's supposed to be more of an inspirational book, but the pieces on different parts of the country are too short. Don't expect routes or descriptions of trails here. There are some links to a website but I expected something in the book too. I found some new spots I'd like to visit but I need to do more research on those places....more
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 attemptiI 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.
One of the nicest Appalachian Trail adventures I've read so far. The Barefoot sisters have a great way of writing, I loved their adventures. It is quiOne of the nicest Appalachian Trail adventures I've read so far. The Barefoot sisters have a great way of writing, I loved their adventures. It is quite long, almost 500 pages, so maybe not for everyone. But for people like me who love to read long travel memoirs, it's perfect. And best of all, there's more! Off to start part two.....more
A great story of two brothers hiking the Appalachian Trail. The author started the trail after having done four years of military service, and needed A great story of two brothers hiking the Appalachian Trail. The author started the trail after having done four years of military service, and needed a possibility to reflect on the why and how of military life. It's great to read the mental transition he underwent while hiking. Very nice to read.
Topic warning: some use of soft drugs & alcohol; war/military operations (mild)....more
The best thruhiking experiences book on the Pacific Crest Trail I've read so far. The author has a great way with words and knows exactly what to sharThe best thruhiking experiences book on the Pacific Crest Trail I've read so far. The author has a great way with words and knows exactly what to share of his adventure. I love that he meets so many nice people, and that his best memories of the trail are of the memories shared with his trail friends. Definitely recommended, I got really absorbed by it and flew through the pages. I knew I wanted to hike the PCT one day, and now I'm sure. :-)...more
Grandma Greatwood is so inspiring! She suffered much abuse and decided to hike the Appalachian Trail in one go. She was over 60 at the time and had noGrandma Greatwood is so inspiring! She suffered much abuse and decided to hike the Appalachian Trail in one go. She was over 60 at the time and had no real hiking gear but a great determination. The book is well written, describing her trail stories intermixed with tidbits from her personal life. I hope to be as kick ass at that age!...more
The previous book I read by this author really annoyed me (46 days on the Appalachian Trail). Because that wasn't really a book, I tried this one, a mThe previous book I read by this author really annoyed me (46 days on the Appalachian Trail). Because that wasn't really a book, I tried this one, a more proper book. It was even worse than 46 Days. I DNF'd about halfway. Her opinions on her fellow hikers are really horrible. She has something to say about everyone, no one is spared: "iPod listeners, left-wing anti-fundimentalists, weekend hikers" etc. She dislikes them all. Meanwhile she is trying to preach Christian ideals on people she encounters. The judgemental opinions are disgusting and she definitely hasn't heard of the term "Hike Your Own Hike". This book is trash and will likely only appeal to people exactly like her....more
This is an okay book about a guy who walked the whole Appalachian Trail for charity in 1998. It's a collection of descriptions from various sections aThis is an okay book about a guy who walked the whole Appalachian Trail for charity in 1998. It's a collection of descriptions from various sections and while some of it is pretty elaborate, some parts are glossed over and hastily written. He sounds a bit too cheerful while doing something that hard! It wasn't the best written book, but it's pretty nice and can be inspirational for others wanting to hike the Appalachian Trail....more
A beautifully written memoir of a fastest known time attempt of the Appalachian Trail. Anish is great with words and explaining how she feels. I reallA beautifully written memoir of a fastest known time attempt of the Appalachian Trail. Anish is great with words and explaining how she feels. I really loved this book, the only thing I struggled with is why she was doing this attempt. To prove to herself that she can? But also to others on the Internet and such? She was obviously in so much pain and misery, why would she put herself through this? Maybe I don't understand it because I don't really care about FKTs. I'd rather take my time, enjoying everything to the max instead of ploughing trough misery day after day. But, other than that, wonderful memoir....more
Boek met prachtige wandelingen door heel Nederland. De wandelingen zijn niet heel duidelijk in detail uitgewerkt, het is eenReview in Dutch again! :-)
Boek met prachtige wandelingen door heel Nederland. De wandelingen zijn niet heel duidelijk in detail uitgewerkt, het is een klein kaartje met een stukje geschreven over de gebieden. Dit is dus geen wandelgids, maar een manier om inspiratie op te doen. Ik heb aardig wat plekken in Nederland opgeslagen om heen te gaan naar aanleiding van dit boek!...more