There Are Mountains to Climb: An Inspirational Journey [Paperback]

Jean M. Deeds (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

At 51, Deeds felt a yearning for some meaning in life and received inspiration while reading a young woman's account of hiking the complete Appalachian Trail (AT). After spending a year planning and conditioning, Deeds set off on her quest to "thru-hike" all 2,155 miles of the AT alone. "Trail magic" came in the form of a free meal, a pep talk from a fellow thru-hiker, or a glass of KoolaidR along the road. After a broken leg sidelined Deeds, she returned to the trail one year later accompanied by a camera crew to complete her journey. The diary format of this print record of her experience compels the reader forward with Deeds through bee stings, insect bites, rain, sleet, and extreme humidity. Her town sketches are as interesting as descriptions of life on the trail, and her memories of fellow travelers are priceless. Moreover, she fully conveys how life slows down and becomes much simpler when reduced to the necessities found in a backpack. This journey of spiritual renewal and record of experiences shared with instant friends of all ages is highly recommended for public libraries.?Lisa S. Wise, EBSCO, Springfield, Va.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Jean Deeds was 51 years old when she gave up a successful career and comfortable lifestyle to spend six months carrying a 40-pound backpack over the rugged Appalachian Trail. There Are Mountains To Climb is her personal account of walking more than 2,000 miles across mountain ranges and through small towns; of finding the magic in nature and the beauty in people; of enduring months of rain, bugs, heat, humidity, pain, fear, and loneliness; and of finding the inspiration to continue hiking each day. Deeds always had the choice to return home to the comforts of civilization. She chose to stay and find the strength within herself to move beyond fear and discomfort. Deed's story is of an unexpected spiritual evolution that grew out of a remarkable test of physical endurance and mental fortitude. There Are Mountains To Climb is a story of finding there is no challenge more worthy than searching for the hero within. The reader will share in Jean's discoveries and perhaps find the inspiration to climb mountains of there own. Highly recommended! -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Silverwood Press (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965148718
• ISBN-13: 978-0965148719
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Thru-hiker Liked It, February 28, 2001

By 

Karen D. Somers (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: There Are Mountains to Climb: An Inspirational Journey (Paperback)

Before my own Appalachian Trail solo thru-hike, I read -- and was inspired -- by Jean Deeds' book. I must say that in my obsession with the trail and hunger for any information about it, I read every book on the AT that was available (probably 20 at the time) and have read several since my own hike. While this was definately not the best of the AT books, it was a very good description of one person's hike. I completely related to Ms. Deeds' pre-hike emotions, though I must say many of my own experiences and feelings while hiking differed greatly from hers, as I felt many more loving and positive feelings while on the trail. I think my mom could relate more with her mental challenges, as they are more similar in background and age. Overall, her story is true to herself and to the experience of the real AT thru-hike (unlike Bryson's popular and entertaining Walk in the Woods). If you want a good, true perspective of life thru-hiking the AT solo this is great start, but only ONE perspective. If you are inspired, be sure to read other accounts to gain a feeling for the variety of experiences people have on the long trail.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best-ever book by a thru hiker, July 21, 2005

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: There Are Mountains to Climb: An Inspirational Journey (Paperback)

I have dozens of AT books in my library and none comes close to this marvelous read by "Indiana Jean" Deeds. So many other thru hiker books are whiny, complaining, negative and have a desperate tone to them. Jean was an upbeat, likeable, witty and eternally optimistic hiker and her writing skills are refreshing. The book reads as if she is sitting in your living room, talking about the journey in a conversational tone.

Jean paints a fascinating portrait of the other hikers she encounters on the trail and a hilarious group they are. There's even a group of 3 men who carry an inflatable goat with them and call themselves "The Goatherders." Jean is also greatly fortunate to have such a dedicated network of friends who meet her on the trail, write her letters and drive from Indiana to the east coast just to keep a bridge date. She also has a 100-year-old penpal whom she has never met but writes her faithfully every month. Sadly, this lady passed away shortly after Jean completes her thru hike.

In addition, she includes a fascinating Appendix which updates you on what her companions did after life on the trail.

If you are an AT enthusiast, an armchair hiker, or even an avowed coach potato, it matters little because everyone will love this book. I've read it twice in short succession and can say without hesitation: this is the best book about hiking you will ever read!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent inspirational piece - an amazing journey, January 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: There Are Mountains to Climb: An Inspirational Journey (Paperback)

As a woman in midlife, I found Jean's story truly amazing and awe inspiring. I could never take on a task such as hers, although I am struck sometimes by the need to do something at this juncture in my life -- but I certainly enjoyed living this one vicariously and absorbing life's little lessons that are revealed. I am a true believer in synchronisity and love it when I read about documented occurances. My 22 year old daughter has found the book equally as enticing -- she is faced with going out into the real world after college this spring and this challenge may be one she wants on her resume. Hopefully she also picked up on the don't-stress-over-things attitude -- enjoy and absorb the world around you -- and the all-will-work-out mantra of which we need to to be reminded. I have enthusiastically given the book over to others and have been sorely disappointed to see that it seems to have disappeared from not only our local bookstores, but our local outdoor recreational store and is not carried in a nearby adventurer's travel bookstore (it's not that old-1996). It seems a shame that it has lost some visibility. But hopefully it is readily available here! A great read for all of us on this journey on earth!