Customer Reviews

Backpacker's Magazine Guide to the Appalachian Trail

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In preparation for my own thru-hike of the Appalachian trail, I am systematically reading as many books on this subject as I can. Jim Chase provides basic/summary information of what one can expect along the trail. Each chapter describes a section of the trail, providing background on the geology, history, and features of each section. Does not contain any photographs, other than the cover. Maps are rudimentary, but give you the basic idea. The author sometimes provides tips and solutions to specific challenges along the trail, but these are few and far between. I was constantly frustrated over the fact that the book describes the trail from North to South, while the majority of thru-hikers travel South to North. Then again, it never promised to be a Thru-Hiker's guide. I recommend this book as a good starting point for those just learning about the Appalachian Trail. If you are looking for more detailed information about each section of the trail, you will need to consult the other references available.

This well-written book is not only useful, but it's also fun to read. The author obviously did a ton of research on the formation of the trail, its founders, and its purpose -- a linear park system accessible to city-dwellers on the east coast.

Mr. Chase includes a lot of useful information about sections of the AT, but this book is not one you'd use in place of a map or a trail guide. Instead, it characterizes the sections state-by-state, giving readers an idea of the feel of the terrain and what it's like to hike each part. It's really useful when picking a section for a trip, and to give hikers some very satisfying background information on the guys who thought up our beloved AT! The newly updated edition of the book also improved on the information included in the older version.

If you just want a trail guide, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a book that puts the AT in context and helps pick areas for dayhikes or longer section hikes, this is the book for you!

You would be better served to get "The Appalachian Trail: A Visitor's Companion." It is more up to date, gives just as much information about the route of the AT in just one of its chapters and then goes on to tell you almost everything you would want to know about the natural world through which the trail passes.

Maybe useful to section hikers. Did not contain information that I considered helpful to
those planning a thru hike. Would not have purchased Backpacker Magazine's Guide to the Appalachin Trail, had I know it was written primarily for Section Hikers. A quote from page 13, "One comment I've had over the years about the book is that people wonder why I don't give more information about thru-hiking. I answer that thru hiking was never the purpose of the book and that the people I really wanted to talk to were day hikers and other short term users of the AT". From the Second Edition by Jim Chase. Title of the book should be "Day Hikers guide to the Appalachain Trail".

I bought the book mainly for the AT history segments it contains. I wouldn't buy it as a guide to the trail, it's more of an introduction.

The service from the vendor was great - exceeded my expectations.