Many of my big dreams start with PBS.  By chance, I watched a documentary about the Appalachian Trail in my twenties.  Ever since, thru-hiking the trail has been one of my favorite fantasies. Of course, I’ve never spent more than two consecutive nights backpacking, but I still am in love with the idea of spending six months walking from Georgia to Maine.

Until I get the chance, books like Jeff Alt’s A Walk for Sunshine let me live vicariously.  Alt thru-hiked in 1998 with a noble purpose, to raise money for the Sunshine House in Toledo, Ohio. His brother, Aaron, has cerebral palsy and lives at the Sunshine House.

Alt’s book is a fine introduction to the logistics and support it takes to actually complete the 2,160 miles of the Appalachian Trail.  It was clear that hiking for a purpose and having friends and family join him for parts of the trail really helped.  Alt also made an effort to connect with the community that forms along the trail; his descriptions of stops in towns and at shelters are some of the best parts of the book.

If you’re like me and love to daydream about a big adventure like this, Alt’s stats may inspire you or deter you from the AT:

• My pack weighed 50 pounds.
• I went through three pairs of boots.
• I averaged 17 miles a day.
• I filtered spring water along the way.
• I had 22 supply boxes shipped along the way.
• I slept in shelters most of the time but carried a tent.
• My journey took nearly 5 months (147 days).
• I lost 30 pounds.

You may not be trail-ready yet, but Alt’s memoir is a wonderful way to experience the trail from your favorite comfy chair.

Thanks to KSB Promotions for the free review copy of A Walk for Sunshine.