Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #421849 in Books
• Published on: 1996-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

From Library Journal
At 51, Deeds felt a yearning for some meaning in life and received inspiration while reading a young woman's account of hiking the complete Appalachian Trail (AT). After spending a year planning and conditioning, Deeds set off on her quest to "thru-hike" all 2,155 miles of the AT alone. "Trail magic" came in the form of a free meal, a pep talk from a fellow thru-hiker, or a glass of KoolaidR along the road. After a broken leg sidelined Deeds, she returned to the trail one year later accompanied by a camera crew to complete her journey. The diary format of this print record of her experience compels the reader forward with Deeds through bee stings, insect bites, rain, sleet, and extreme humidity. Her town sketches are as interesting as descriptions of life on the trail, and her memories of fellow travelers are priceless. Moreover, she fully conveys how life slows down and becomes much simpler when reduced to the necessities found in a backpack. This journey of spiritual renewal and record of experiences shared with instant friends of all ages is highly recommended for public libraries.?Lisa S. Wise, EBSCO, Springfield, Va.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Midwest Book Review
Jean Deeds was 51 years old when she gave up a successful career and comfortable lifestyle to spend six months carrying a 40-pound backpack over the rugged Appalachian Trail. There Are Mountains To Climb is her personal account of walking more than 2,000 miles across mountain ranges and through small towns; of finding the magic in nature and the beauty in people; of enduring months of rain, bugs, heat, humidity, pain, fear, and loneliness; and of finding the inspiration to continue hiking each day. Deeds always had the choice to return home to the comforts of civilization. She chose to stay and find the strength within herself to move beyond fear and discomfort. Deed's story is of an unexpected spiritual evolution that grew out of a remarkable test of physical endurance and mental fortitude. There Are Mountains To Climb is a story of finding there is no challenge more worthy than searching for the hero within. The reader will share in Jean's discoveries and perhaps find the inspiration to climb mountains of there own. Highly recommended!

Customer Reviews

The best-ever book by a thru hiker
I have dozens of AT books in my library and none comes close to this marvelous read by "Indiana Jean" Deeds. So many other thru hiker books are whiny, complaining, negative and have a desperate tone to them. Jean was an upbeat, likeable, witty and eternally optimistic hiker and her writing skills are refreshing. The book reads as if she is sitting in your living room, talking about the journey in a conversational tone.

Jean paints a fascinating portrait of the other hikers she encounters on the trail and a hilarious group they are. There's even a group of 3 men who carry an inflatable goat with them and call themselves "The Goatherders." Jean is also greatly fortunate to have such a dedicated network of friends who meet her on the trail, write her letters and drive from Indiana to the east coast just to keep a bridge date. She also has a 100-year-old penpal whom she has never met but writes her faithfully every month. Sadly, this lady passed away shortly after Jean completes her thru hike.

In addition, she includes a fascinating Appendix which updates you on what her companions did after life on the trail.

If you are an AT enthusiast, an armchair hiker, or even an avowed coach potato, it matters little because everyone will love this book. I've read it twice in short succession and can say without hesitation: this is the best book about hiking you will ever read!

You don't even have to be a hiker to like this book
You don't have want to hike the Appalachian Trail --you don't even have to be a hiker to enjoy this book. The writing is good. The story is great. It's a great mixture of humor and humanity. It's easy to like "Indiana Jean" from page one. I've read several really good books about hiking the AT -- and this is certainly one of them.

Worth a read - twice!
I recently read this book for the second time. I have read many AT thru-hiking books because I hope to one day throw off these 9:00 to 5:00 shackles and attempt it myself. This is one of the better books out there. I like to read about more trail details so that's why only 4 stars. However, it was a great read.