The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey
“[Derick's] story takes us into a world where his lack of AT knowledge, his unique perspective, his appearance, and his sense of humor open the minds and hearts of those he encounters along the way. Change has come, and the AT will never be the same again.”—Jennifer Pharr Davis, author, speaker, AT fastest-known-time setter, and 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

“A candid and clear-eyed account of a contemporary thru-hike, with engaging humility.”—David Miller, author of AWOL on the Appalachian Trail and The A.T. Guide

Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the New York comedy scene began to think about what he might do with months of free time. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,192 miles of it. Suddenly he found himself asking, Could he do it?

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of a young black man setting off from the city with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude. What follows are lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. Through it all, Lugo refuses to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna, persevering with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming that sees him from Georgia to Maine.

1130209159
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey
“[Derick's] story takes us into a world where his lack of AT knowledge, his unique perspective, his appearance, and his sense of humor open the minds and hearts of those he encounters along the way. Change has come, and the AT will never be the same again.”—Jennifer Pharr Davis, author, speaker, AT fastest-known-time setter, and 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

“A candid and clear-eyed account of a contemporary thru-hike, with engaging humility.”—David Miller, author of AWOL on the Appalachian Trail and The A.T. Guide

Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the New York comedy scene began to think about what he might do with months of free time. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,192 miles of it. Suddenly he found himself asking, Could he do it?

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of a young black man setting off from the city with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude. What follows are lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. Through it all, Lugo refuses to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna, persevering with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming that sees him from Georgia to Maine.

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The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey

by Derick Lugo
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey

by Derick Lugo

Paperback

$19.95 
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Overview

“[Derick's] story takes us into a world where his lack of AT knowledge, his unique perspective, his appearance, and his sense of humor open the minds and hearts of those he encounters along the way. Change has come, and the AT will never be the same again.”—Jennifer Pharr Davis, author, speaker, AT fastest-known-time setter, and 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

“A candid and clear-eyed account of a contemporary thru-hike, with engaging humility.”—David Miller, author of AWOL on the Appalachian Trail and The A.T. Guide

Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the New York comedy scene began to think about what he might do with months of free time. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,192 miles of it. Suddenly he found himself asking, Could he do it?

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of a young black man setting off from the city with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude. What follows are lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. Through it all, Lugo refuses to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna, persevering with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming that sees him from Georgia to Maine.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781628421187
Publisher: Appalachian Mountain Club Books MA
Publication date: 09/07/2019
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Derick Lugo had never hiked or camped a day in his life. This Brooklyn-born, New York City urbanite hopped a train to Georgia, grabbed a taxi at the station, and told the cab driver to drop him off at the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. Then he did as he has always done-put one foot in front of the other and never looked back. After hiking for more than 2,000 miles, he now feels invincible and plans to cross the Sahara barefoot. (Not really, but when an ambitious spirit is successful, it will strive for even greater accomplishments.)The Unlikely Thru-Hikeris his debut memoir. Find him online at: @dericklugo (Instagram), @dericklugo (Facebook), and at dericklugo.com.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Prologue

Part 1: Why the AT?

Chapter 1: AT, Short for the Appalachian Trail

Chapter 2: Difficulty. .. Strenuous

Chapter 3: Lessons at Springer Mountain

Chapter 4: Just Follow the Blazes!

Chapter 5: Why the AT?

Chapter 6: Farewell to Indoor Plumbing

Chapter 7: A Machete Would Have Been Better

Chapter 8: Rain, Pain & Zombie Hiking

Part 2: The Moving Village

Chapter 9: You're a Mr. Fabulous!

Chapter 10: The Smokies

Chapter 11: Becoming an Unlikely Thru-hiker

Chapter 12: Not a Rasta!

Chapter 13: And Then the Snow Came

Chapter 14: Not the End

Part 3: Mr. Fabulous

Chapter 15: A Series of Fortunate Events

Chapter 16: Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff!

Chapter 17: A Suspicious Mind

Chapter 18: The Honeymoon Hikers

Chapter 19: Food for the Soul

Chapter 20: Magic

Chapter 21: Boots & Melody

Chapter 22: Do You Get a Prize for Doing It?

Part 4: New Summits

Chapter 23: Make It a Gallon. .. Now That's a Challenge!

Chapter 24: Can You Drown in Rocks?

Chapter 25: An Un-bear-able Hike

Chapter 26: Back in a New York Groove

Chapter 27: Strange Things on the Trail

Chapter 28: The Most Wondrous Trail

Chapter 29: The Whites: Not Your Average Trail

Chapter 30: Dear Mr. Moose

Chapter 31:I Don't Want to Ruin the End for You (But It's All Going to Be OK)

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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