I think by far Bryson's book was the funniest hiking story ever. I read it in 1996 while on a camping trip and laughed out loud the whole time. Who cares if he "hiked" the trail. It was a great story and funny as hell. He never claimed to be a purist or in shape and the only guy he could find to go with him was a drunk out of shape friend. I loved the part where the woman wouldn't leave them alone and they kept trying to ditch her. I have experienced that many times on long trips. Last year while doing the JMT me and my daughter kept having to eat lunch well off the trail and hiding behind trees to avoid an especially annoying hiker. Just when we thought we lost him he would come wandering into camp even after we'd put in 18 mile days trying to lose him. He was fat and annoying but damn he could hike! He should do SAR work because he found us everyday for about a week. We finally lost him after he took a zero day at our urging. It's the crazy characters that make these long hikes fun. These trails are barely a wilderness experience with the hoards out there now but it leaves the pristine areas uncrowded. Too much life checklist moments going on these days.
Who wants to read a hiking book about an experienced hiker. Nothing exciting ever happens:
Day 23 - My solar charger acted up today and I couldn't charge my I-phone. Luckily my Kindle is awesome on batteries and I was able to read another chapter of "A Walk in the Woods."
Day 25 - I lanced a blister and disinfected it at the shelter. I was able to pick up a new ultralight tarp at 3 Eagles Outfitters in Franklin North Carolina and I was able to lower my base weight by 3 oz.. I camped with the Osprey reps again and we talked late into the night about internal frame harness systems. I'm thinking about picking up an Exos at my next resupply to lower my base weight another 2 oz.
Day 60 - Just spent 2 days at trail days. It was kind of a bummer because the craft beer selection was pathetic but I was able to score weed very easily. No one seems to be using the showers that are available here. I'm having trouble telling if I'm meeting white Rastas on the trail or if they just look that way from lack of hair washing. It's all good Mon!
I am definitely going to see the movie. Nick Nolte will make a perfect Stephen Katz.