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Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail is an epic adventure, and yet one that is still within the reach of most people. It is a long journey, an escape, and a time of self-discovery. The author completed his own thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2015. 'Hellz Yeah It's Possible' ('Possible' is the author's trail Name) is designed as a two part guide and aid to prospective thru-hikers, although those readers who are just looking for an adventure tale should not be disappointed. The first section is an account of the author's journey, the second section is is a compilation of information useful to a prospective thru-hiker. It is entitled "If You Go". The journal is broken down day by day, tracking distances and landmarks along the way. It incorporates the physical, social, and mental aspects of the author's thru-hike. The physical aspect off the trail is real. It is an insane endurance event for a person's body. It can actually be started by someone with only moderate conditioning, because the Appalachian Trail itself is its own training ground. The hiker learns to listen to their body, learn how much they can do, what to eat, and how to take care of themselves. This is part of the journal; as the days pass the author learns what makes his body work, and what makes it falter. Aspects of diet and physical care are critical parts of his wellbeing as he copes with the environmental rigors of living outdoors on the move for an extended period of time. The Appalachian Trail is not just a path through the woods and an escape into nature. As with all human constructs, it is a social community, a gathering of people. That it is a moving stream of people makes it no less a social adventure. There is conflict and resolution, friendships are made and broken, and people become more of what they are under the physical and emotional stresses of the journey. Hiking the trail is an intense period in a person's life, and it fuels social impact and personal growth in a direct way at a greater rate than at other periods of a persons life. The narrative discusses the author's own personal interactions and his reactions to the trail community at large. The Appalachian trail is also a landmark, its history is woven into the land it travels through, and with each year's class of hikers the history grows just a little more. Significant trail events and location lore are woven onto the narrative. It is told from the hiker's perspective, from one with a historical bent who marvels at the point in time that is his journey. In "If You Go" The author creates lists of gear and food choices, and imparts his own lessons from hiking the trail that will be of interest to anyone considering a long distance hike. The author discusses his choices knowing that his way is just one way, and develops some ideas he didn't use but were used by other successful thru-hikers. Most of the knowledge here is already discussed in the journal narrative, but it is condensed so it is a useful reference for those planning their own adventures.The author encourages everyone to find their own space and way to adventure. We are not meant to live our entire lives working in cubicles and retiring to a couch in front of a television. There is a real world out there waiting for you to find it. Hellz Yeah Its Possible!
