Cata’list’
I’m calling this a Cata’list’ because these are the books, websites, and other materials that I’ve read, studied, and enjoyed over the past year, some of which were responsible for convincing me to attempt a thru-hike. My only warning is that if you partake of any or all of them, you might develop the same wanderlust that I’ve been developing. Click on any of the titles and visit Amazon.com if you’re interested in purchasing any of them. Descriptions with “quotations” were taken directly from Amazon or other reviewers.
Appalachian Trail
www.trailplace.com – A small, yet friendly website with a great forum. It’s great to post questions as a beginner and have an experienced hiker answer. Just be prepared for as many opinions as there are forum members.
www.whiteblaze.net – A larger trail website with many forums and helpful articles
www.appalachiantrail.org – The Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources associated with the AT. Instead of hugging a tree, why not donate a few bucks to them and help keep America beautiful.
A Walk in The Woods by Bill Bryson – This is the book that introduced me to the AT. While mainly humorous, it also sheds light on the history of the trail as well as the different types of elements and people you may meet along the way.
A Walk For Sunshine – “Hiking the AT was a longtime personal goal of Alt’s, but as he began to plan his trip he realized that he wanted his effort to somehow serve a greater purpose. So he decided to share the experience by turning his adventure into a fundraiser for the Sunshine Home, a facility in Maumee, Ohio that cares for 850 developmentally disabled residents, including his brother, Aaron, who has cerebral palsy. In the seven months leading up to his walk, Alt focused completely on fundraising and training, eventually raising $16,000 that allowed the home to buy much-needed communication devices, lifts, and walkers.”
Appalachian Pages Northbound 2009 by David Miller – This is the book I’ll be carrying with me that describes the trail mile by mile including distance between shelters, where to find water, which towns the trail passes through, maps of trail towns, and listings of the hostels the trail passes nearby.
Appalachian Trail Hiker by Victoria Logue – A great how-to book.
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Planner by David Lauterborn – Another great how-to book with worksheets, check lists, and guides.
Awol on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller – Well written account of Awol’s thru-hike. Great for people who think they’re too tied down (family, job, etc.) to ever attempt a hike like this.
Blind Courage by Bill Irwin – The story of a blind hiker and his guide dog, Orient.
How to Shit In The Woods by Kathleen Meyer – Humorous, yet educational book about how to go #2 when a privy isn’t present in the backcountry.
Long Distance Hiking: Lessons from the AT by Roland Mueser – A unique book written as the result of conducting a survey of AT hikers.
The Appalachian Trail: How to prepare for & Hike it by Jan D. Curran – Another great how-to book.
Walking With Spring by Earl Schaffer – “A hiking legend, Earl Shaffer in 1948 came home from the South Pacific and set out to prove the then-little-known Appalachian Trail–its maintenance largely and necessarily neglected during the war–could be walked in a single continuous journey from Georgia to Maine. This is his own lyrical account of that walk, undertaken also to try to shake off World War II combat, during which he lost his best friend.”
Adventure/Travel
Long Way Round -The motorcycle adventures of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman as they ride their BMW motorbikes around the world, heading east from England all the way to NYC
Long Way Down – The second motorcycle adventure of Ewan and Charlie. This time they ride from the top of Scotland down to Cape Town, South Africa. On both trips they visit UNICEF work projects and take time to raise awareness for the organization’s work. Try to watch both of those series and NOT buy a motorcycle. It’s impossible.
Into The Wild by John Krakauer – True story of Christopher McCandless and his travels across the US, eventually leading him to the wilderness of Alaska, and his early death.
Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller – Author of popular book Blue Like Jazz recounts his road trip with a friend from Texas to Oregon
Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck – Popular American author, with his dog Charley, tells the story of the two of them setting out in his truck to explore and experience America in the 1960s. As he talked with all kinds of people, he sadly noted the passing of region speech, fell in love with Montana, and was appalled by racism in New Orleans.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig – An interesting book, mostly over my head, yet it tells a story, communicates a philosophy, and raises interesting questions about our world even today, though it was written decades ago.
World News/Poverty/Missions
The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stern – “It’s 1998 and Richard Stearns’ heart is breaking as he sits in a mud hut and listens to the story of an orphaned child in Rakai, Uganda. This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.”
Walking With the Poor by Bryant L. Myers – “The purpose of this book is to describe a proposal for understanding the principles and practices of transformational development (positive material, social, and spiritual change) from a Christian perspective.”
Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan – “In this exciting and fast-moving narrative, K.P. Yohannan shares how God brought him from his remote Indian village to become the founder of Gospel for Asia. Drawing from fascinating true stories and eye opening statistics, K.P. challenges Christians to examine and change their lifestyles in view of millions who have never heard the Gospel.”
The Skeptics Guide to the Global AIDS Crisis by Dale Hanson Brooke – “AIDS is the biggest public health problem the world has ever faced. Yet with all the available information, many of us know little about it… Motivated by the obvious need for a manageable tool, Dale Hanson Bourke has compiled the essential information in a simple and straightforward way, explaining medical and political issues in everyday language. Answering the questions the average person asks about this topic, the book is a valuable tool for personal information or group study.”
General
About Schmidt – If you turn off movies after the first ‘cuss’ word or a scene of Kathy Bates nudity, this one isn’t for you. Jack Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt in this equally humorous and serious look at what life is supposed to be like during retirement. Because of unexpected twists and less-than-ideal relationships, he asks some very difficult questions about life as a whole, including his self-worth and contribution to the world. I mention this movie because of the role Child Sponsorship plays as the plot unfolds. While Child Sponsorship is a bit different than the movie portrays (you shouldn’t cuss in your letters if you write to your sponsor child!) this movie is a must-see.
Comic Relief presents Dane Cook –I’ve debated over whether or not to advertise this link. It’s a five minute clip of Dane Cook’s contribution to a benefit event raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims. Many comedians were asked to participate and help raise awareness and funds by donating their comedy. Dane Cook, however, tailor made his selection around the theme of giving and generosity. I’m including it because it’s brilliant, convincing, and another rare mention of child sponsorship in a secular setting. But I hesitated because of the ‘adult language.’ If you’ve never heard of Dane Cook, you probably won’t enjoy the clip. For the rest of you, this is your fair warning, use your discretion. WARNING: the following video includes very strong language, including the use of the F-word more times in five minutes than has possibly ever been recorded before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFsXv9Lc-F8
Music
I thought it would be fair to mention some of the music I’ve enjoyed listening to over the last year as I will be carrying a small MP3 player to keep me motivated on the particularly tough hiking days ahead.
In Rainbows by Radiohead – Most recent release from the renowned rock band, this is a beautiful barrage of sound.
Turn Around by Jonny Lang – Try listening to this album and not moving. Catchy, soulful, bluesy, and creative.
Next Stop Willoughby by Scott Phillips – I played piano on a few songs on this album. BUY IT 🙂 An album full of truth and honesty that is musically catchy and witty. I would prescribe Scott’s music for churched people who think the church can be more, and for un-churched people who want to know what it’s about.
Love and the Like by Scott Phillips – I played piano on almost ALL the songs on this album. BUY IT 🙂 A living room-style album, all songs were recorded live and completed in one day. Also full of truth and honesty.
Resurrection Letters, Volume II by Andrew Petersen – One of my favorite Christian artists, Andrew writes from the heart for the heart. He is a true wordsmith.
Add to the Beauty by Sara Groves – What a concept. This was the soundtrack to my life during a particularly difficult time. Sara’s songs comfort and encourage and let us know we’re all in this together.
Cold Roses by Ryan Adams – I feel like good Alt-country lends itself to being on a journey on “America’s Footpath”.
