We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers [Paperback]

Susan Alcorn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Travel, adventure, women's interest! True adventures, challenging journeys, and life affirming trips. Three dozen women, in the prime of their lives, take you backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, the Appalachians and more. This compelling collage of stories and advice combines honesty, insight and humor with practical wisdom and proven tips to inspire women and men of all ages. Gutsy women ford ice-chilled streams, clamber up steep mountainsides, chase away hungry bears -- or await helicopter rescue. Whether scaling mountains solo or lounging with friends near a crackling campfire, they are reaping the rewards of their strenuous days and soaking in the wonders of nature. "If we can do it, so can you."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an intriguing balance between practical tips to get you started and the retelling of adventure in short snippets." -- Outdoor Australia, August/September, 2003

"A passion, by its very nature, is a sexy thing. Alcorn has a passion for backpacking." -- Hill Newspapers, May 16, 2003

"Great Summer Read! The stories are sometimes humorous and other times serious, but most are at the very least inspiring." -- Mammoth, CA Good News, July 24-30, 2003

"Informative, engaging, and inspiring. (Alcorn) reminds women who want to backpack to set their own goals, to savor their successes." -- Montclarion, July 15, 2003

"refreshing handbook of hiking and backpacking for those who know it isn't over until it's over." -- East Bay Express, April 30, 2003

From the Back Cover

Travel/Adventure/Women's Interest True adventures, challenging journeys, and life-affirming trips.

Three dozen women, in the prime of their lives, take you backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, the Appalachians and more. This compelling collage of stories and advice combines honesty, insight and humor with practical wisdom and proven tips to inspire women and men of all ages.

We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill opens with the author describing her adventures into the Sierra - at a time in her life when most of her peers were buying recliners instead of backpacks - then follows the exploits of other gutsy women as they ford ice-chilled streams, clamber up steep mountainsides, chase away hungry bears - or await rescue by helicopter. Whether scaling mountains solo or lounging with friends near a crackling campfire, they are reaping the rewards of their strenuous days and soaking in the wonders of nature.

Enjoy the warmth of Irene Cline, the oldest woman to complete the Appalachian Trail, the gritty character of Emma Gatewood who, at 67, was the first woman to thru-hike the AT, and the humor of Laurie Foot, the first woman over 45 to hike/bike trans-U.S. on the American Discovery Trail. Gain inspiration from Jenny Jardine who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail three times, Kathy Morey whose coauthorship of Wilderness Press's Sierra South is based on her thousands of miles in the Sierra Nevada, and Frandee Johnson, co-founder of Great Old Broads for Wilderness, who hikes in the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. Hear from women whose more modest accomplishments demonstrate that backpacking is available to all who have the dream and determination.

Whether armchair adventurer or experienced backpacker, this book will inspire you to put on your hiking boots and hit the nearest trail.

"This delightful book left me torn between an urge to lash on my pack and head for the high Sierra and a new-found desire to come back in my next life as a woman." - Brad Newsham, author of Take Me With You and creator of "Backpack Nation".

You'll learn: ·How to "pack light" and end the day a happy camper ·How to protect yourself from everything from mosquitoes to bears ·How to travel with renewed energy and rekindled excitement ·How you can grow stronger in mind, body, and spirit "If we can do it, you can too!"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Shepherd Canyon Books; First Edition edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936034025
• ISBN-13: 978-0936034027
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Oregon, but have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for most of my life. I love it here! Since we have moderate weather pretty much year round, we can hike year round. And, luckily, we have regional, state, and Federal parks where we can enjoy nature and keep in shape.
Ever since I retired from teaching elementary school in 2001 (at age 60), Ralph and I have been hiking more and more. We have now backpacked more than 2,600 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (goes through California, Oregon, and Washington), completing it in 2010. We've also completed almost 2,000 miles of Camino trails in Spain, France, and Portugal, as well as climbed Kilimanjaro and backpacked the circuit "O" route in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile (Patagonia). We think that hiking is very good for us--physically and mentally. We intend to continue as long as we can!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made me remember why backpacking is so vital, January 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers (Paperback)

This book got me excited about the prospect of backpacking -- and I'm a fairly regular backpacker already. The stories and personal histories exposed backpacking's subtexts -- it's not all just pretty scenery and physical excercise. Perhaps backpacking's most important aspects are its tendencies to inspire inner renewal and to challenge us out of our familiar ruts, and its consistent ability (this is probably backpacking's most important dividend) to send one "back home" with the PERSPECTIVE, COMMITMENT, and COURAGE needed to effect personal change in one's "real life." I found the "oral history" style particularly engaging, with many different voices (representing all different ages) unanimously endorsing the overall message: "Backpacking is a priceless activity -- we're fortunate to be able to do it, and we're really missing out if we neglect it." I took great comfort from hearing others say that they, too, count backpacking as one of life's solid treasures -- one need not engage in it every weekend or even every year, but, like a good mother, it's always there when you most need it. Also, woven in among the stories I found many practical tips I'd never before encountered. But I liked this book best for the way it transported me back to the mountains -- and back to my self.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lively read for both hikers and chair jockeys, May 26, 2003

By 

Brian T. Bender (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers (Paperback)

I was curious about this book because my wife and I have done some backpacking in the Sierra. I wanted to read what the women had to say and about the personal experiences of the author.
Many books don't hold my interest. Well, this one sure did. She kept the storytelling moving right along and didn't get bogged down in too much detail. I liked the mix of seriousness and light-hearted commentary and the fact she isn't afraid to poke fun at herself. There are some good backpacking tips and information sprinkled along as well. Made for fun reading over a couple nights.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An EveryWoman's guide to wilderness travel, March 18, 2006

By 

Amy Racina "Author -Angels in the Wilderness" (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers (Paperback)

Debunking the myth that only the young and fearless and male can enjoy backcountry travel, Susan Alcorn's thoughtful book is a practical and anecdotal read for any woman who ever doubted her ability to engage in the sport of backpacking. An EveryWoman's guide to wilderness travel, this compassionate volume takes us through the trials, tribulations, and the triumphs of some three dozen backpackers, ranging from 40 to 74 years in age, and all, incidentially, women.

Some are groundbreakers in their own right, and others are just ordinary women who turned to the mountains in search of adventure, spiritual awakening, physical empowerment, or the simple peace offered up by the wilderness experience. Susan's book "We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill" takes the mystique out of the sport of backpacking, and makes it understandable and accessible to any woman, anywhere, of any age.

Thanks Susan!