Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail The Thruhike of "Rethinker" eBook Gary Bond
Download As PDF : Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail The Thruhike of "Rethinker" eBook Gary Bond 
Many dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. For Gary Bond, that dream had lain just below the surface for over 30 years. But eventually, Bond adopted the trail name Rethinker and the dream was traded for an adventure.
At the Trailhead
Leading up to this excursion and the chosen trail name was a period of “rethinking” for Bond. The beliefs that had been the foundation of his entire life had turned into nagging doubts. He longed to shed this burden and seek out Truth and a simpler way of life. And what better way than a long walk in the wilderness?
What would Rethinker discover during five months on the Trail? What would he learn about Nature, about long-held beliefs, and about himself? How would he apply these lessons to the Larger Trail?
The Long Walk
This book captures the many aspects of Rethinker’s AT thru-hike. Experience the physical and mental highs and lows of the grueling journey. Meet various characters and “legends of the trail” that Rethinker encounters, including the “Harbinger of Maine,” and enjoy their stories as well.
Walk alongside Rethinker as he gains his “trail legs” in the mountains of North Carolina. Confront fear as peaceful sleep is invaded by a frightful night-time visitor in Tennessee. Be taught the definition of “necessity” beneath the spreading limbs of a Virginia maple. Endure the crucible of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and observe confidence turn to humility by the magnitude of the quest.
Witness restoration beside a New England pond as Rethinker marvels at the strange contrasting harmony of Nature. Slog through mucky bogs and ford swollen streams while hiking through Maine’s 100-mile wilderness. And experience that “diamond day” when lifelong visions of a mystical fish camp are finally realized.
Hear from mentors of times past whose words both haunt and encourage Rethinker along the way. See how lessons learned in childhood are applied to overcome obstacles and threats. Be amazed, as Rethinker was, by “trail angels” and the kindness of strangers.
The Larger Trail
Whether you have made the hike yourself, or if you’re a thru-hiker-wanna-be, or if you simply like to vicariously experience the journeys of others, this book will have something for you. Rethinker vividly portrays the wonder of the Appalachian Trail thru-hike experience while also examining the deeper meaning for him on the Larger Trail. In addition, he shares many useful tips and hiking gear advice from his own experiences for those who would attempt the trek.
After five million steps and thousands of white blazes, covering 2,175 miles of trail stretching from Georgia to Maine, join Rethinker during the bittersweet moment of journey's end on the rocky peak of Katahdin. After all the rethinking of the journey and all the lessons learned, what would be the answer to life's questions? Would a key be found to unlock life's Great Mystery?
Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail The Thruhike of "Rethinker" eBook Gary Bond
The story of fifty-five-year-old Gary Bond’s 2008 five month long thru-hike from Mt. Springer to Mt. Katahdin is told in Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail: The Thru-hike of “Rethinker” (2013). Although quoting from journal entries, Bond does not give us his day-to-day journal, but rather summarizes and focuses on the more noteworthy days. Bond is a good writer, with a refreshing sense of humor, but don’t expect poetic descriptions of nature. Instead, Bond intersperses “rethink moments”—thoughts worthy of pondering over—throughout his book: “How thin the line of safety,” “Every day is different and it’s different every day,” “Failure doesn’t come from not finishing; it comes from not starting,” and numerous other musings.Most interesting about Bond’s narrative is that it relates his trail friendship with “Apostle,” Paul Stutzman, author of Hiking Through: One Man’s Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail (2010). In Stutzman’s book, “Rethinker” ostensibly appears under the trail-name “Einstein”—an author appreciably quoted by Bond. It was at Waynesboro that Bond learned of the recent deaths of the wives of both “Apostle” and “Shiloh”: “Now I understood that the why’s of their journeys certainly included a search for healing and restoration . . . and answers. From that moment I knew I needed to hike with these two men, not to comfort or encourage them, but to learn what they had to teach.” Ultimately, their photo would be taken together at the sign marking the northern terminus of the AT atop Katahdin.
The only aspect of the book that takes away from some of the pleasure of reading it is the apparent contempt that Bond developed towards non-thru-hikers. He is not the first thru-hiker to fall into this ego trap, and (for NOBOs) it usually manifests itself as fully developed at about the time that they arrive in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At this point, they are exuberant in their progress and stamina, rightly proud of the accomplishment that they are making, and upon entering this national forest filled with vacationing hikers, they cannot but compare themselves to these, perhaps, less experienced and unconditioned persons: “These huts,” says Bond, referring to the AMC huts along the AT, “catered to a special breed of hiker. Let’s just say that L. L. Bean seemed the primary outfitter for this group, and a day-hike of eight miles was epic.” If Bond’s contempt for this “special breed” is not evident here, it certainly is when he takes delight in referring to them as “Nancys.” Whereas the feeling that Bond experiences is, at least, understandable, it is nevertheless a shame that it found expression in his book.
Overall, though, Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail is a book fun, entertaining, informative, and—to all would-be thru-hikers—encouraging to read.
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Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail The Thruhike of "Rethinker" eBook Gary Bond Reviews
I am someone who has read every book out there on the AT. There is ALWAYS something to be gained by reading each book. The hike, afterall, is all about rethinking your life. The author is totally on track sharing his journey. We all have a journey to share, a story to share. Living life fully through an intense hike like this is like a cleansing. When I hike my soul speaks to me. I think that is true of most people who love nature and feel good getting intimate with Mother Earth. Read Gary's story and get the nuggets of wisdom it has for you. It's a win=win.
I've read a good deal of books about the AT and I count this as one of the best. I was interested in his story since he is in my age group . Always nice to get a perspective from someone who has some life experience. I had hoped for a little more in-depth insight, since his trail name was Rethinker. He threw in a few tidbits but not much. I think so many authors intend to write about some actual feelings and insights while on the trail, but no one ever does. The author did drive me a little nuts early on in the book by saying something like "my experiences on this part of the trail will stay with me the rest of my life", but he never said why!
I thought the book was well written despite a few people who nit-picked his grammar. I was so engrossed in the story that if there were errors I didn't notice them. In fact, this was one of the most error-free books I've read about the AT.
I tried to look up the photo references that were on my kindle, but they wouldn't come up, so I went to trailjournals.com and looked up his journal and found them that way.
I really enjoyed this book. If you are an armchair hiker like me, this is a great book. If you are looking for specific advice about the trail (if you plan to hike) and gear and all that, then you won't find that here. I highly recommend this book.
Just finished a great book Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail. The author does exactly what the title says... he rethinks his life as he completes a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He makes some pretty astute observations as he attempts his trek. Here are a few that stood out to me
1. "Whatever happens, enjoy the trail" - the author heard this from one of his fellow thru-hikers and later came to apply it to the rest of his life; it could just have easily been said, "whatever else happens in life.... enjoy the journey.."
2. Expect, plan for, the unexpected - most of us think the unexpected is the exception.... the author found it helpful to expect it and plan for it. Good advice.
3. The "larger trail" - much of the author's perspective moves from the short-term experience to his larger life beyond the trail. Probably sageous advice for the rest of us. There's some humor here and there.... definitely worth the read. Check it out!
It feels as though you are hiking the AT alongside "Rethinker" and the various characters he encounters over the 2000+ miles. I've always been intrigued by the idea of a thru-hike of the trail and this book increases the appetite for such a journey. It contains humorous accounts, much like those that can be found in Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods", but there's so much more than that. You get a feel for the difficulty involved, from a spring snowstorm in the southern Appalachians to the slog through Maine's 100 mile wilderness. At the same time, you get a sense for how this type of experience affects a person and allows them to discover things about themselves that they never would have learned by staying in the comfort of home.
"Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail" is a fun, quick read and it inspires you to challenge yourself on a journey of your own choosing. I cannot recommend this book more enthusiastically!
The story of fifty-five-year-old Gary Bond’s 2008 five month long thru-hike from Mt. Springer to Mt. Katahdin is told in Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail The Thru-hike of “Rethinker” (2013). Although quoting from journal entries, Bond does not give us his day-to-day journal, but rather summarizes and focuses on the more noteworthy days. Bond is a good writer, with a refreshing sense of humor, but don’t expect poetic descriptions of nature. Instead, Bond intersperses “rethink moments”—thoughts worthy of pondering over—throughout his book “How thin the line of safety,” “Every day is different and it’s different every day,” “Failure doesn’t come from not finishing; it comes from not starting,” and numerous other musings.
Most interesting about Bond’s narrative is that it relates his trail friendship with “Apostle,” Paul Stutzman, author of Hiking Through One Man’s Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail (2010). In Stutzman’s book, “Rethinker” ostensibly appears under the trail-name “Einstein”—an author appreciably quoted by Bond. It was at Waynesboro that Bond learned of the recent deaths of the wives of both “Apostle” and “Shiloh” “Now I understood that the why’s of their journeys certainly included a search for healing and restoration . . . and answers. From that moment I knew I needed to hike with these two men, not to comfort or encourage them, but to learn what they had to teach.” Ultimately, their photo would be taken together at the sign marking the northern terminus of the AT atop Katahdin.
The only aspect of the book that takes away from some of the pleasure of reading it is the apparent contempt that Bond developed towards non-thru-hikers. He is not the first thru-hiker to fall into this ego trap, and (for NOBOs) it usually manifests itself as fully developed at about the time that they arrive in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At this point, they are exuberant in their progress and stamina, rightly proud of the accomplishment that they are making, and upon entering this national forest filled with vacationing hikers, they cannot but compare themselves to these, perhaps, less experienced and unconditioned persons “These huts,” says Bond, referring to the AMC huts along the AT, “catered to a special breed of hiker. Let’s just say that L. L. Bean seemed the primary outfitter for this group, and a day-hike of eight miles was epic.” If Bond’s contempt for this “special breed” is not evident here, it certainly is when he takes delight in referring to them as “Nancys.” Whereas the feeling that Bond experiences is, at least, understandable, it is nevertheless a shame that it found expression in his book.
Overall, though, Rethinking Life on the Appalachian Trail is a book fun, entertaining, informative, and—to all would-be thru-hikers—encouraging to read.
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