Jane Congdon - How the WILD EFFECT Turned Me into a Hiker at 69: An Appalachian Trail Adventure

What Others Are Saying About This Book

Amusing, entertaining, and definitely helpful! This book will give future thru-hikers an idea what to expect on the trail. Experienced hikers will see themselves and perhaps have a laugh at the fears, questions, and rookie mistakes we share on the trail and on our page.

Bunny Kramer, administrator of the 15,000-member Facebook page, Appalachian Trail: Womens Group

I was so excited for Jane to take on this adventureand what great stories she has to tell!

Jaimie Matzko, Lead Trail Guide for A Walk in the Woods and REI Adventures; one of 6 guides worldwide honored with REIs Top Guide award in 2017

A thoroughly excellent read! Funny, and fascinating; there is something intriguing about knowing anothers thoughts, an opportunity to compare them to our own. I was in her head, and that added dimension and color to Janes intriguing experience. Treat yourself to this fabulous book!

Aura Imbarus, Ph.D., Founder / CEO, Beyond Magazine and author of the critically acclaimed Amazon best-seller, Out of the Transylvania Night

This is storytelling at its best! Back again for her 3rd book, Jane Congdon gives us a witty account ofafter retiring as an editor in a large publishing companyfollowing a strange compulsion to hike the Appalachian Trail. Her transformation from rookie to seasoned hiker occurs over 1,195 miles of mountain trails and promises adventures along the way. A thoroughly excellent read! Funny, fascinating, and fabulous!

Sharon Babineau, author of The Girl Who Gave Her Wish Away

In a world of trail books, few have this much heart and reflection. Jane Congdon gives us an unflinchingly honest account of her amazing journey: the good, the bad, and everything in between. Her tale is delivered with authenticity and an easy sense of humor, and somewhere between Hot Pants and April Ice, I knew she had a hit on her hands.

Anna Huthmaker, Founder of Trail Dames, Inc.

Janes descriptions of the trail made me feel as if I were walking along with her. Thank goodness I could experience the beauty and the reality of the trail without really hiking! Jane also gives you a glimpse of her unique sense of humor. So pick up a copy, reserve a day, sit down, and enjoy a great read!

Jackie Burnett, avid reader and 20-year veteran of book clubs

You dont have to be a hiker to appreciate this well-written account of a womans sudden desire for adventure. Jane Congdons decision to hike the Appalachian Trail in her 60s upended her quiet life and sent her on an inner journey that accompanied the outer one.

Jenn Granneman, author, blogger for Psychology Today and founder of the website: Introvert, Dear

I read memoirs to see how the main character approaches difficulty and what he or she learns; how the person changes as a result of those experiences. I also like to read about worlds and situations I may not encounter myself. This book is full of good lessons.

Cyrus Webb, President at Conversations Radio Network and host of Conversations LIVE

How the Wild Effect Turned Me into a Hiker at 69

An Appalachian Trail Adventure

Jane E. Congdon

Copyright 2018 by Jane E. Congdon

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work in any form whatsoever, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief passages in connection with a review.

Disclaimer: This is a true story, and the characters and events are real. Some names and attendant facts have been changed for privacy and storytelling purposes. The overall chronology is an accurate depiction of the authors experience.

About the cover: The boots and socks are the authors; taping of the boots was recreated to reflect the original application of tape to the toes after several hundred miles on the Appalachian Trail. In the background photo: the walkway and arch marking the approach to the AT in Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia.

Cover design: Tatomir Pitariu

Arch photo credit: Jane Congdon

Boot photo credit: Brian Phillips Studio, Cincinnati

Stylist: Joseph Barnett

Map of the Appalachian Trail: Mapping Specialists, Limited

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

BETTIE YOUNGS BOOK PUBLISHERS / BURRES BOOKS IMPRINT

www.BettieYoungsBooks.com

Bettie Youngs Books are distributed worldwide. If you are unable to order this book from your local bookseller or online, you may order directly from the publisher: www.BettieYoungsBooks.com . For BRAILLE, DAISY, and DYSLEXIE editions, go to www.ReadHowYouWant.com .

Library of Congress Control Numbers available upon request.

ISBN Book: 978-1-940784-63-2

ISBN eBook: 978-1-940784-64-9

Printing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

What would you do if you werent afraid?

Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese? 1998

Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto!

Dale Carnegie

OTHER WORKS BY JANE CONGDON

It Started with Dracula: The Count, My Mother, and Me

Mr. Joe: Tales from a Haunted Life (co-authored with Joseph Barnett)

Contents

First, thanks to Cheryl Strayed, my inspiration, for her 1995 hike on the Pacific Crest Trail and her subsequent memoir, Wild. She and I have never met except briefly on Facebook, though our paths cross over time and distance in my mind and the pages of this book.

My publisher, Bettie Youngs, is extraordinary for her publishing and marketing knowledge and her willingness to share that knowledge. Thanks, Bettie Youngs Book Publishers, for bringing this and my previous two memoirs to print.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the publishing process. Turning a manuscript into a book is a journey of art and words that has fascinated me for more than 40 years.

Thanks to our typesetter, Beau Kimbrel, and our cover designer, Tatomir Pitariu.

I always appreciate Amy Cole, Assistant on Call, for expertly formatting my manuscripts and catching the occasional typo I missed.

Many folks supported me while I was on the trail. Special thanks to Joseph Barnett, Charles and Becky Peveler, Judy and Larry Gerow, Jennifer Buff, Sarah Hollier, and Anita Skeen.

Thanks to my very early readers whose comments on individual chapters got me on track: Diane Tarantini, Daleen Berry, Judy Foster Gerow, and Joseph Barnett.

Early readers (entire manuscript): Joseph Barnett, Mary Noschang, Debbie Sebastian; book club members Jackie Burnett, Lennie DeMania, and Becki Wellbrock; Bunny Kramer.

The authors whose books I read in preparation for the AT, listed in the back pages of this book; Jenn Granneman, whose book The Secret Lives of Introverts and other writings clarified my knowledge of introversion and extroversion after my hike.

A tip of the trekking poles to every hiker from Earl Shaffer (who in 1948 was the first to complete the entire Appalachian Trail) to Grandma Gatewood (who hiked the AT three times, the first at age 67 and the last at 75) to Jennifer Pharr Davis (2011 AT speed-record holder) and to all the unknowns like me. To every trail angel, hostel owner, and hiker-friendly town: Thank you.

Thanks to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve and manage the trail. The ATC provides information and services to hikers; maintains pertinent records; and works with volunteers, government agencies, and others to preserve the priceless beauty of the trail for future generations.

Thanks to the volunteers who maintain the AT from end to end. Thanks to all of those who work with pride in our parks and on our trails to protect our natural resources and provide guidance to those who use them.