The Appalachian Trail Reader

The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous footpath in the world. Its 2140 miles run though 14 states - from Georgia to Maine - and vastly different natural and social environments, from the solitary splendor of mountain crags to the genial slopes frequented by dayhikers and scout packs. Each year, more than 3,000,000 visitors enjoy the diverse scenery and cultures of the trail, united by a common apprectiation of the outdoors. This introduction collects stories, poems and essays that reflect this wilderness trail across both time and geography. It include work of both well-known writers and anonymous raconteurs including Henry David Thoreau, James Dickey, Aldo Leopold, Washington Irving, James MacGregor Burns, Richard Wilbur as well as excerpts from the diaries and letters of modern day visitors. Hikers' private journals stand next to scientists' close observations of the natural world. Historians remind readers of how Appalachian culture developed, and early explorers report the thrill of seeing uncharted territory and wildlife for the first time.