Take a Hike!: A Long Walk on the Appalachian Trail

By: Tim Hewitt

Narrated by: Zac Clay

Take a Hike! is the story of one man's journey on the 2,167 mile long Appalachian Trail. Tim Hewitt, whose trail name was Paddler, talks about trip planning and preparation and shares with you his daily journal for his six month adventure.

He is joined on the trip by his 13-year-old son David for five weeks in the summer. David's journal and perspective are also included. This book is not intended to be an all-inclusive planning guide for your Appalachian Trail thru-hike, but it does contain information that the author believes will help you to plan and succeed in your own long distance hiking adventure.

Bonus chapters bring you a sample of Tim's creative writing talent as well, as he introduces you to the mythology of the Cherokee Ugalu, and the Penobscot Pamola, two spirit-beasts that haunt the Appalachian Mountains. These short stories are also available in the stand-alone book; Appalachian Trail Myths: The Ugalu & Pamola.

©1998, 1999, 2016, 2018 Tim Hewitt (P)2018 Tim Hewitt

Very good!

It was my 2nd book about the AT. Starting to do my homework for my future adventure. So very pleased for those who are willing to take the time out to write a book & share their experiences.

It’s ok but not the best AT book.....

I love stories from the AT. I like hearing about the terrain, the conditions, the people and the mindsets of Thru hikers.
This book is sketchy on details and reads like random jottings in a trail diary, which is fine except it seems sporadic and very, very repetitive.
The author repeats many times that “life is good on the AT” and the most annoying phrase “this is hard work”. I am positive that hiking the AT is difficult and incredibly hard- but it is not “work”. It is a choice. An admirable/ enviable choice.
The narration was an issue for me due to the many mispronounced words (hostel and Adirondack stand out) as well as several repeated sections. It seems to start the sentence of the chapter, cut off, then repeat the sentence. Poor editing.
I did not care for the “stories” at the end of the book but they were the best narration.
I finished feeling that the author wrote his notes to get published and then needed filler so he added his son’s journal, which the kid admits his dad made him write, numerous lists, and two stories he made up.

DATE. LOCATION. MILES.

This AT journal is just that, a journal. It lacks the type of bright and memorable characters and their development found within the many AT books out there.

Here's the formula for every paragraph in this book:
"DATE. LOCATION. MILEAGE.
A few thoughts and experiences from the day.
...Life is Good."


Seriously, this book states "Life is Good" more than an actual Life Is Good store...

This book falls a bit flat. The author should've gone back and fleshed out his journal into a more colorful memoir. The two short stories that Paddler penned for this book do not warrant the purchase price considering that you can download them both on Audible for free (titled: Appalachian Trail Myths).

The narrator tries his best here and does a decent job... Although, his pronunciation of "hostel" and some locations may drive a listener crazy.

"Where's the Next Shelter" is a much better example of an AT book and I suggest checking that out instead.

The mispronunciation of many words/locations was maddening.

The story was just ho-hum. The planning section, what he packed and where he shipped is really unnecessary as many places since his writing have gone away. The story itself was a bit weak, not horrible, but just not as rich as other tales of the AT, or any other hiking journal. The mispronouncing of MANY commonly used words though, geeeeez! My least favorite book about a hike. Ever.