Summary
"A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail" is a humorous and reflective account of Bill Bryson's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 2,100-mile trek from Georgia to Maine. Initially inspired by a path near his New Hampshire home, Bryson, a self-confessed devotee of 'waddlesome sloth,' decides to reconnect with his native land and challenge himself physically. However, he soon realizes the enormity of the task and the potential dangers lurking in the wilderness, including venomous snakes, bears, and diseases.
To mitigate the risks, Bryson invites his old friend Stephen Katz, a man with his own set of challenges, including a troubled past and a considerable lack of fitness. Together, they embark on the journey, armed with an assortment of camping gear and guidebooks. The early stages of the hike are fraught with difficulties. Bryson and Katz struggle with the physical demands, the weight of their packs, and the unpredictable weather. They encounter other hikers, including the loquacious and overbearing Mary Ellen, who tests their patience and adds to their woes.
As they progress, Bryson peppers the narrative with historical and scientific insights about the Appalachian Mountains, the flora and fauna, and the impact of human activity on the environment. He delves into the history of the AT, highlighting the contributions of Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery, and explores the challenges faced by the National Park Service in managing and preserving the trail. Along the way, Bryson reflects on the changing American landscape, the allure of the wilderness, and the enduring power of friendship.
The journey is filled with humorous anecdotes, as Bryson and Katz navigate the challenges of the trail, encounter eccentric characters, and grapple with their own limitations. They face physical discomfort, food shortages, and the constant threat of bears, all while forging a deeper bond and rediscovering their shared history. Ultimately, Bryson and Katz decide to abandon their attempt to complete the entire trail, realizing that the experience is more important than the destination. They make a detour to Gatlinburg, then decide to drive to Virginia and hike portions of the trail there instead. They part ways near Front Royal, with Katz returning to Des Moines and Bryson continuing to explore the AT in segments. Although they don't conquer the entire trail, they gain a newfound appreciation for the wilderness, the importance of friendship, and the enduring spirit of adventure.
Bryson continues his adventures solo, battling blackflies, making a new friend, and hiking parts of Pennsylvania, before reuniting with Katz to hike in the forbidding Hundred Mile Wilderness. The book culminates in their decision to abandon their trek and return to their everyday lives after a series of comically disastrous events in the Maine wilderness. They realized they had very different levels of resilience for the trail. Though their journey ends prematurely, Bryson, after much thought on the trail, claims, with more than a touch of irony, that they did in fact hike the Appalachian Trail.