Bryson: The Appalachian Trail Hiker

Is Bill Bryson, the author of a Walk in the Woods, an Appalachian Trail hiker? To most people, the only type of AT hiker is someone who hikes it all at once, also known as a “thru hiker.” Bryson has hiked a large amount of the AT, along with Katz, and has come across many obstacles along the way. He has encountered a bear, obnoxious hikers, and especially harsh weather conditions. None of these hurdles have seemed to stop Bryson. They have reduced his progress but have not stopped him completely by any means. Critics have expressed their irritation with Bryson and his negativity towards all of the impediments on the trail. For example, one critic said, “As a hiker laying in a strategy to thru-hike the AT in a couple years, I was looking forward to a light and lively tale. Boy was I disappointed. Grumping about the cold, rain, mud, vermin, tourons, monotony, ugly people and places, and an inept hiking partner didn't let up.” (Anonymous: A Protracted Whine. Book review of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. November 2, 2007) Although many tough critics do not consider him to be an AT trail hiker, he should be considered an AT hiker because he has hiked most of the trail and has written a best-selling novel to inform people of his long, vigorous journey.

Bill Bryson should be considered an Appalachian Trail hiker because he has put the time, money and effort into embarking on a long hike through the AT. Bryson was determined to hike the Appalachian Trail, even if he had to do it all by himself. He loved the idea of hiking the trail. Physical fitness and environmental purposes are the main reasons he has become obsessed with hiking. Along the journey, Bryson got to catch up with a friend he has not talked to or seen in almost twenty...

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...n Appalachian Trail, they are forced to accept the fact that he has hiked more than half of it and in fact, Bryson states, “Every twenty minutes on the Appalachian Trail, Katz and I walked farther than the average American walks in a week. For 93 percent of all trips outside the home, for whatever distance or whatever purpose, Americans now get in a car.” (Bryson 182) Bryson could be considered an AT hiker but at the same time, he could not be considered one because of the fact that he did not finish the whole trail. His desire to hike most of the trail inspires readers to go hike and get fit, bringing in more hikers to the great AT which makes him not only an AT hiker but a motivational AT hiker.

Works Cited

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walk-in-the-woods-bill-bryson/1102165072?ean=9780767902526

Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods. New York: Anchor Books. 1998.