Women & Thru-Hiking on the Appalachian Trail

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Summary: Outdoor women, your handbook has arrived!
Review: This book is very informative for women planning to spend time in the wilderness. The title specifies thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, but many of the topics covered are of interest to women who love spending time outdoors. Input from numerous sources is well blended to offer balanced, solid advice. I was surprized at the diversity of topics covered. The bibliography is comprehensive, very helpful when you want to dig deeper. If you're looking for answers to issues concerning women in the wilderness, this is the book to buy.

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Summary: The "real thing"--Real answers from real backpackers.
Review: This is a book long awaited by women thinking about hiking, or planning to hike the Appalachian Trail. It was worth the wait. Beverly has taken the responses of experienced women long-distance hikers from surveys and questionnaires and skillfully woven them into a narrative form that gives answers to all the questions a prospective female hiker might have: how to prepare for a long-distance hike; what clothing and gear works best; safety, health, nutrition, sanitation, privacy; what about the folks back home; self-image, motivation, strength, and determination; and the benefits of doing a long-distance hike, facing challenges, and reaching your goals. The bibliography of 143 items was compiled by a research librarian and Appalachian Trail backpacker and includes A.T. guidebooks, planning guides, books on backpacking and outdoor skills, and a special list of "Women Outdoors" books that includes highly motivating stories of women who set out to do daring things and achieved their goals. This book is the result of a collaborative effort, with real answers from hundreds of real women, including Beverly herself. The other current book for women backpackers (Adrienne Hall's "Backpacking"--a Ragged Mountain Press Woman's Guide) plus "Women & Thru-Hiking on the Appalachian Trail" are a perfect combination for a woman contemplating a long-distance backpacking trek. I have read and enjoyed both of these excellent books.