Almost There: A Path Quite Different, (Paperback)

Almost There is an interesting, detailed introduction to the Appalachian Trail and the author's hiking adventures along this 2,200 mile trail from Georgia to Maine. The book includes a number of maps and photos of the Trail. The author offers good advice about hiking the Trail, for example, the need to protect food from bears at night, hiking gear, and hiking food. The reader learns about NOBO and SOBO hikers; trail magic; how the Trail is maintained and who maintains it; and the different kinds of hikers including section hikers, through-hikers, and slack packers. The author hiked a majority of the Trail when he was young, made possible because his family vacationed near the Trail. Forty years later the author realized he only had about 40 miles to complete the entire Trail. He succeeds in completing the entire Trail but struggles due to an ankle injury and challenges related to age. A new friend joins the author on many of these late-life hikes, and the author's interactions with the friend add a special component to the book. The author shares philosophical comments related to hiking and notable experiences along the Trail including difficult stretches of the Trail, humorous events, and personal reflections. The book is a good read, especially if you are interested in hiking even a portion of the Appalachian Trail.