A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

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Bryson starts his Appalachian Trail memoir sharing the history of the trail. While a seemingly unusual way to write about a 2,000 mile trail hike, these nuggets of biology and facts create a beautiful groundwork for his witty and humorous walk in the woods.

As soon as you enter the outdoor gear store with Bryson on his AT gear shopping spree, you know this is going to be a fascinating outdoor adventure story. Starting the Appalachian Trail (aka AT) with brand new shoes, an ill fitting backpack, little physical training, and a brand new tent reeking of plastic, Bryson and Stephen Katz, a friend from decades prior, are in for it.

Katz literally brings everything but the kitchen sink, quickly tossing food and pots as he starts huffing and puffing up the trail.

Bryson’s matter of fact approach to hiking with fellow AT trekkers are poignant and oftentimes hilarious. I found myself rolling in laughter through chapters 4 and 5 as Katz and Bryson tried everything to get away from Mary Ellen, a know it all AT hiker.

“On the fourth evening, we made a friend. Her name was Mary Ellen. She was from Florida, and she was, as Katz forever after termed her in a special tone of awe, a piece of work.”

Katz’s witty responses to Mary Ellen’s fat comments aimed at him might just be my most favorite part of this memoir. You quickly bond with Katz, later journeying with him on his quest to remain sober.

The trail narratives in this travel book are well written, particularly Bryson’s repeated encounters with supposed bears. There are moments though, where Bryson gets into the weeds of history and geologic telling.

That said, chapter 15’s geological fact sharing of the Appalachian mountain formations along with the true founder of the trail, Alden Partridge’s determination to complete this trail are enlightening. You get sense of outdoor adventure for each of the characters he shares, current hikers and past veterans of the trail.

Bryson sums this tale best at the end of the wilderness book.

“I have regrets, of course….but I got a great deal else from the experience. I understand now, in a way I never did before, the colossal scale of the world. I discovered an America that millions of people scarcely knew exists.”

This is one of the best adventure books I’ve read in awhile. Pick it up and read in spurts, soaking in the powerful descriptions of the Appalachian Trail along with the journey of two middle aged men on a quest to conquer nature.

PS. Adapted into a movie in 2015, Robert Redford plays Bill Bryson with Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson adding to the story. Available on most streaming services.

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