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on November 25, 2015
Finished it yesterday on my flight. Engrossed minute one and loved it. Really wanted to click on the pictures at the end of each chapter and see them bigger as they were so beautifully composed. (Found them on your blog!). Thank you for sharing that bit of yourself (and Steve). And the story was just that, a great story interspersed with some hiking feats that accomplished what I feel you were possibly expecting; a journey of the soul. I laughed quite a bit at the mental chatter because it is so reflective of what we all go through when we are doing things that challenge us and feed us. And your descriptions of your trail companions both 2 legged & 4 were great. there were a couple times I waited for the other shoe to drop, and it did but never in a bad way! Congratulations!
on November 18, 2015
The current popularity of long-distance walking means that many new personal narratives have appeared in the past years. Inga Aksamit's book is a wonderful addition to these "trail tales," as she describes the 23-day trip she and her husband took along the John Muir Trail.
Readers will especially be drawn to this narrative both because it is very well written and accurate and because it represents the experience of an "everyday" person. She and her husband set out on the JMT to challenge themselves with a much longer backcountry adventure than they'd previously completed and to experience the changing perspective one has after multiple weeks in the backcountry, but not to launch into a completely unknown activity. Aksamit had backpacked frequently before her trip, had trained for her trip, and meticulously planned her itinerary, food, and gear.
Her extensive planning made her aware of all the problems that might arise - she does a superb job of weaving these into her story, one-by-one as many of the anticipated problems do materialize - medical problems, rare weather events, gear problems, and lack of motivation. I was especially drawn to her descriptions of how her mood, physical strength, and motivation shifted from day-to-day - as she sometimes found "difficult" sections to be straightforward and dragged where the going should have been "easy". As a guidebook author, I have to force myself to detach how I feel at a given moment from my "unbiased" perception of the terrain; it was wonderful to read an account that emphasized how difficult it is to predict how you'll feel on a given stretch of trail and what progress you'll make. As she and her husband experienced, two people hiking together will have different "good" and "bad" days - and will therefore have very different memories of stretches of the trail.
Finally, I appreciate her repeated emphasis that she was "hiking her own hike" - and comfortable with that decision. She reflected upon other hikers with faster or slower itineraries, but did not deride others for choosing a different JMT experience.
Readers will especially be drawn to this narrative both because it is very well written and accurate and because it represents the experience of an "everyday" person. She and her husband set out on the JMT to challenge themselves with a much longer backcountry adventure than they'd previously completed and to experience the changing perspective one has after multiple weeks in the backcountry, but not to launch into a completely unknown activity. Aksamit had backpacked frequently before her trip, had trained for her trip, and meticulously planned her itinerary, food, and gear.
Her extensive planning made her aware of all the problems that might arise - she does a superb job of weaving these into her story, one-by-one as many of the anticipated problems do materialize - medical problems, rare weather events, gear problems, and lack of motivation. I was especially drawn to her descriptions of how her mood, physical strength, and motivation shifted from day-to-day - as she sometimes found "difficult" sections to be straightforward and dragged where the going should have been "easy". As a guidebook author, I have to force myself to detach how I feel at a given moment from my "unbiased" perception of the terrain; it was wonderful to read an account that emphasized how difficult it is to predict how you'll feel on a given stretch of trail and what progress you'll make. As she and her husband experienced, two people hiking together will have different "good" and "bad" days - and will therefore have very different memories of stretches of the trail.
Finally, I appreciate her repeated emphasis that she was "hiking her own hike" - and comfortable with that decision. She reflected upon other hikers with faster or slower itineraries, but did not deride others for choosing a different JMT experience.
on November 13, 2015
This was a really fun read. Since I don’t have experience doing extensive backpacking I found it very interesting to follow the course of the author’s long hike through the arduous trails and mountain passes. The details were especially interesting – how they stayed clean, how they organized their food, how they calculated everything so that it all worked. This is a great book for anyone contemplating a major wilderness journey. Or for people who would rather live vicariously!
on June 27, 2016
This is a wonderful book for both backpackers who want to know what it's like to hike the John Muir Trail and day hikers who want to know what's beyond the last step they took on the trail. And it's a great book for anyone who likes an interesting real-life story.
I bought the book because I'd really like to start doing more backpacking and wanted to see what kind of advice an experienced backpacker could give. But the book is so engaging and is filled with so many challenges and interesting characters that I soon forgot I was reading the book for advice and became wrapped up in the author's first person narrative. Even on the first-day on the trail, she faces a very big obstacle that she must overcome.
If you're planning on hiking the John Muir Trail this is a must read because you can learn from some of the things the author would have done differently. And she provides three very useful appendices at the end of the book: a gear list, meal planning, and keeping clean. This book also prepares you for not only the physical challenges of hiking the John Muir Trail, but also the emotional challenges.
If you love nature and love to hike, this is a very enjoyable read.
I bought the book because I'd really like to start doing more backpacking and wanted to see what kind of advice an experienced backpacker could give. But the book is so engaging and is filled with so many challenges and interesting characters that I soon forgot I was reading the book for advice and became wrapped up in the author's first person narrative. Even on the first-day on the trail, she faces a very big obstacle that she must overcome.
If you're planning on hiking the John Muir Trail this is a must read because you can learn from some of the things the author would have done differently. And she provides three very useful appendices at the end of the book: a gear list, meal planning, and keeping clean. This book also prepares you for not only the physical challenges of hiking the John Muir Trail, but also the emotional challenges.
If you love nature and love to hike, this is a very enjoyable read.
on June 16, 2016
The author's style of writing was very enjoyable for me. She lays out serene landscapes and vivid details without becoming overly-poetic. She's very factual in all her mileage, altitudes, and even plant varieties, but keeps the story about the human experience and less about the athletic feat.
My favorite aspect though is her sly way of teaching you backpacking skills. If you are an inexperienced hiker you will learn some skills, do's & don't's of trail etiquette, etc, but at know time does this feel like an instructive piece or another guidebook. In no way will the "experienced hiker" feel bored or like they're reading useless stuff they already know. She places these lessons within the normal activities of hiker life and are very enjoyable to read.
I would definitely recommend this book. A fun, quick read.
My favorite aspect though is her sly way of teaching you backpacking skills. If you are an inexperienced hiker you will learn some skills, do's & don't's of trail etiquette, etc, but at know time does this feel like an instructive piece or another guidebook. In no way will the "experienced hiker" feel bored or like they're reading useless stuff they already know. She places these lessons within the normal activities of hiker life and are very enjoyable to read.
I would definitely recommend this book. A fun, quick read.
on March 29, 2016
Beautifully written story from one of America's most breathtaking trails. It was a pleasure to follow Inga's and Steve's journey and compare the challenges they faced with those we experienced on the John Muir Trail. Loved every single page.
on August 17, 2016
Inga thank you so very much for such an inspirational book. I could feel your experience through your writing. The experience has renewed my drive to get fit and get out on the trail.
Your book was full of useful information. Also loved the delights of meeting fellow hikers, discovering lakes and the foreboding when looking at a touch day.
What feeling you transmitted through your words.
Suzann
Your book was full of useful information. Also loved the delights of meeting fellow hikers, discovering lakes and the foreboding when looking at a touch day.
What feeling you transmitted through your words.
Suzann
on July 14, 2016
This was such a good book, I had to make myself put it down at times, just to keep enjoying it longer and take in the experiences they had. As someone who is interested in hiking the JMT, or at the very least, sections it, I found her narrative very informative. The way the author summarizes each day on the trail reveals so much about planning, routine, realistic expectations and the physical and mental stamina required for a long journey like the JMT. I also loved the amusing stories of the people they met along the way that made the trail culture come to life. Great book and very enjoyable read!!
on November 18, 2015
I love the descriptions of the people they met along the trip and the surprises that unfold with these fellow hikers. It is fun to learn about what it takes, both mentally and physically, to do this trip. I found the book to be very inspiring for me as I have always wanted to do this trek some day. The descriptions of the trails are wonderful. It makes you feel like you are there. The author conveys the different emotions she feels as the trip progresses which bring the book alive.
