I just recently bought the book, “Appalachian Trials: A Psychological and Emotional Guide to Successfully Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail” by Zach Davis. I have heard a lot of good reviews about this book because it details how to get your mind in the game while on the trail and how to cope post the trail. Getting your mind in the game. Yes. I need this. I grew up in the mid-Atlantic states and I am no stranger to our wet, cold, humid weather. Can it rain straight for 2 weeks? Yes. Will the mundane waking up every day just to walk in a green tunnel get old? Yes. Successfully thru-hiking the AT is a huge mental game. But in all honesty, it has been such a struggle just to get to the trail.
I got the great idea to hike the AT when I was 12 after I read a preteen novel entitled, “Halfway to the Sky.” It was about a rebellious young teen who runs away to the trail for comfort. It gave me the idea, I want to hike the Appalachian Trail. Then I told my mom and she was like, I want to do that! Then I told my dad and he was like, I want to do that! And that is where it ended, maybe…one day…. None of us ever thought that we would actually strap on a backpack and start this 6 month walk until I changed everything. This time two years ago, I made the decision that I was going to hike the Appalachian Trail.


