If you think Cheryl Strayed gave us insight inPo how we live, this book doeso n better job. I highly recommend this sone.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

"But speed had no effect on my morale; I knew every hundred miles would yield surprises waiting for me. The trail always provided. For myself, I knew I would get to wherever it was when I would. I had everywhere to go and nowhere to be." (loc. 827*)

Burned out professionally and struggling personally, Curtis set herself a new challenge—to hike the Appalachian Trail, Georgia to Maine. She knew what it took to hike long distances, but she didn't know how much the trail would challenge her or how much it would inspire her, and she wasn't sure how safe she would, or wouldn't, be as a queer Black woman on the trail.

On the face of it this is an Appalachian Trail memoir, but Curtis's story is just as much about her childhood and mental health as it is about becoming a thru-hiker. Without spoiling the details, I'll say that she had a fair amount to work through, and she (sensibly) went into the AT with no expectation that it would 'fix' anything—but hoping that she could find something akin to peace. The writing isn't my favorite, but Curtis writes directly and with passion.

I'm particularly interested in her experience as a Black woman on the trail. A recent survey from The Trek suggested that the overwhelming majority of AT thru-hikers are white, and only a tiny fraction are Black (this is not news, but it's always nice to have data!), and Curtis knews going in that she'd be not only a minority on the trail in more ways than one, but she'd be a *visible* minority. And as much as indignant straight white men might have wanted to claim that that didn't matter, they're not the ones having to ask themselves how much of a threat other hikers, or locals, could be to them. Curtis discusses this fear frankly—and some of the experiences she had on and near the trail that make it quite clear that her fears were well founded—and I found it startlingly sad, if not surprising, that the place she felt safest was in the vicinity of NYC, where day hikers flood the trail and diversity abounds. (Diversity and people getting out on the trail are fantastic, obviously—just that one should also be able to feel safe deep in the woods with few people around.)

Curtis has set out to change those demographics, at least in a small way—she's en route to be the third Black person, second Black woman, and first queer Black woman to complete the triple crown (AT, CDT, and PCT). I hope this book can be one of many resources for others to follow in her footsteps.

*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

This book started out slowly, but after the first chapter, it really started digging into the core of what this book has to say.

I admit, I came away feeling inspired. I love that this book is so honest about how hitting bottom can lead to such positive results.

Addition is said to result from a deep trauma in your childhood and I was thinking about this while reading this story.

I have a love/hate relationship with hiking and the fact that Curtis did it and more importantly STUCK to her commitment is a great read.

I think it's important and valuable to read stories from people who have different backgrounds and perspectives as you. This is a great example. I feel so much sympathy for Shilletha's childhood and upbringing. She's been dealt a tough hand dealing with abandonment, abuse and mental illness. It was inspiring to follow along as she became the second Black woman ever to complete the AT (Appalachian Trail).

*Thanks to Netgally for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was very inspiring. When the pandemic first happened so many people lost their jobs and didn't know where to start or even a way to do. Shilletha chose to do something she's been longing to do. This book was about overcoming your fears, knowing that regardless of a job you can still achieve things. You just need to believe! This was a good read.