“ Reading this book will break your heart, for now the commercialization and modernity of trail life is truly told in this tale.

Meaning, people attack the book for what’s it NOT rather than appraise the book for what it is. I’ll get to why it took me a while to read in a bit.įirst, what I find interesting, is that some of the criticisms of Carrot Quinn’s book are in the same vein of that other well-known PCT book. We’ve been there, read that and have the (hiking) t-shirt.īut since the book was free one weekend a few months back, decided to download it and read it. And they almost all follow the arc of above. But they are stories we’ve all read before. A post-hike chapter is included with reflection on the journey.

The person adapts to trail life as the earlier obstacles are overcome.A colorful cast of characters with names like “ Snot Rocket ” or “ Ramen Wanderer ” are encountered.Blisters are had, rashes procured in strange places and the new life is experienced with a bit of difficulty. The person arrives at Springer Mountain or Campo, CA and starts hiking.Lots of strange, expensive and new equipment is bought.A person gets the bug to the hike a trail.For me, t he long trails are just a conduit to enjoy the wild places rather than the goal itself.įor various reasons, the modern culture of thru-hiking on the well-known trails does not call to me.Īnd, frankly, these books follow a typical arc that I’ve discussed before. : At this point in my life, accounts of thru-hiking on the well-known national scenic trails typically don’t interest me. I was reluctant to read the book, however. And the book has become a bit of cult following among people who enjoy the long trails. I was told over the past year, by more than a few people, that I must read Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart by Carrot Quinn. Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques.Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques.

Thru hiking will break your heart