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7th out of 29 books
—
72 voters
Southbound (The Barefoot Sisters #1)
"Rarely will you find books that explore the human emotions of a long-distance trek so honestly and clearly." --Roger Williamson, Campmor, Inc. "Highly recommended." --trailsbib.blogspot.com
From the book: "We stood for a moment before the venerable signpost marking the summit. Scored with graffiti and the constant onslaught of weather, it stands perhaps three feet high, a...more
From the book: "We stood for a moment before the venerable signpost marking the summit. Scored with graffiti and the constant onslaught of weather, it stands perhaps three feet high, a...more
Paperback, 474 pages
Published
December 17th 2008
by Stackpole Books
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Barefoot Siters Southbound is, by far, the best book on a hiker's personal experiences of hiking the Appalachian Trail and the fact that they did so for most of it hiking barefoot adds an interesting touch to the entire book. Starting in Maine, their home state, the book makes the reader feel like we are hiking the trail with them. Each sister, Lucy & Susan aka Isis & Jackrabbit, take turns telling their perspective of the hike the emotions of backpacking, highs and lows, the people they...more
Barefoot Sisters: Southbound Co-Authors Susan Letcher & Lucy Letcher
and Barefoot Sisters Walking Home
I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed reading of the Appalachian Trail hiking adventures of “Jackrabbit” and “Isis”. Once I started reading, I was hooked and did not want to stop!
I am one of four sisters and I enjoy to read books which feature the interaction of sisters. I must admit I downloaded this book when it was offered as a free Kindle book through one of the free books of the day...more
and Barefoot Sisters Walking Home
I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed reading of the Appalachian Trail hiking adventures of “Jackrabbit” and “Isis”. Once I started reading, I was hooked and did not want to stop!
I am one of four sisters and I enjoy to read books which feature the interaction of sisters. I must admit I downloaded this book when it was offered as a free Kindle book through one of the free books of the day...more
Actually, this book is by Lucy Letcher and her sister Susan Letcher. Isis and jackrabbit. The lower case J is intentional. Susan went to Carleton College with Maggie. I met them at The Gathering in WV in 2000. I met them again at The PA Ruck at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in 2001. I was absolutely amazed at how good this book is. Each voice is identified at the beginning by their trail name. In a back and forth style, they've done an excellent job of explaining and describing their Appalachian...more
Feb 11, 2010
Robin Morris
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
hikers
Shelves:
hiking-backpacking-camping
south - Maine to George; whereas the vast majority of hikers go North. Of course the primary reason for the migration north is the weather. Most thru-hikers walk with (or into summer) spring, avoiding the dangers of winter. Our sisters are starting in Maine in black fly season and hiking directly into winter. They're doing this with the added challenge of attempting to hike the trail barefoot - at least for "as long as it's fun". For me it would be comfortable for about two minutes and I'd have...more
My seven-year-old daughter decided recently that she wants to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, and she wants to hike it from Maine to Georgia. Her reasoning is that then you get the toughest part of the trail out of the way at the beginning. She and I have talked about the extra challenges of the southbound route (not the least of which is beginning the trek with the Hundred-Mile Wilderness and running the risk of hitting winter in the Smokies if you don't hike fast enough), but she's undeterred...more
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Two sisters in their early 20s decide to hike the Appalachian Trail southbound, barefoot "while it's fun, while it's comfortable". (I'm not going to put spoilers in here about whether they finish or how the barefoot thing works.) This book describes the incredible experience of hiking the Appalachian Trail: the other hikers they meet (going in both directions), the shelters, the non-hikers who give them rides into town or give them a "slacker" day by ferrying their packs to a designated meetup p...more
My own sister got me turned on to the adventure of hiking the Appalachian Trail - she has a real fascination for the possibility. I've discovered that I like reading books about this while sitting in my warm house in my comfy chair or bed. I'm enthralled with what thru hikers endure - and why in the world they would want to!
Hiking the Trail barefoot wasn't a possibility I had ever considered before reading this book, but evidently it's not all that rare - there are associations of barefoot hike...more
Hiking the Trail barefoot wasn't a possibility I had ever considered before reading this book, but evidently it's not all that rare - there are associations of barefoot hike...more
I saw this book while staying in Shenandoah National Park. (The AT actually runs through the park) Was quite amazed that the Sisters could walk this trail barefooted. I have hiked parts of the AT in PA and find that I am always looking down, trying to avoid tripping on the rocks. I am amazed that they would even attempt to do it barefooted. Jeff remembers seeing the Sisters on a Boy Scout hike in October 2000! The book kept my interest. I enjoyed reading about their adventures on the trail, read...more
I've read just about every ebook available regarding the Appalachian Trail. I'm not sure why Jackrabbit and Isis's story is my favorite...as is the second book, Walking Home. They're not professional authors. They might detail too much emotional termoil. And what possessed them to hike most of the way barefoot? And turn around and hike back up the AT? Yet I loved reading about their adventure and knew it was real. And I know that when I make my own thru hike I'll think about Isis and Jackrabbit...more
Once I decided to actually hike the Appalachian Trail after decades of waiting I picked up this book and came as close to actually eating a book by reading as I have ever done. Turns out I lived on the same island in Maine as the authors and knew a certain Scott that they adventured with down in South America. I've met many of the characters they write about so it's for real. Great story telling from two points of view giving a realistic of all the unbelievable things one goes through while thru...more
I knew I had to buy this book (& the sequel as well) when I first saw them...they are about sisters hiking the AT. Non-fiction, sisters, trail life…sounds perfect, what more could I want? Well, how about characters (whether real or imagined) that make me feel emotion…any sort of emotion would have sufficed. I really enjoyed the story, but found it surprisingly difficult to relate to the sisters. I didn’t like them, I didn’t dislike them. By the end I felt as though they were mild acquaintanc...more
This was one of those books that I just didn't want to end. I have, however, discovered the adventure did not end with this book. There is a sequel.
Initially I was drawn to this book because of the Applachian Trail which is the star of this book. At one time my family owned a couple of acres of woods in the northwest of New Jersey where we had a summer home and we were very close to the AT. So close, in fact, that we once had some AT hikers turn up and ask if they were on the AT or lost. They we...more
Initially I was drawn to this book because of the Applachian Trail which is the star of this book. At one time my family owned a couple of acres of woods in the northwest of New Jersey where we had a summer home and we were very close to the AT. So close, in fact, that we once had some AT hikers turn up and ask if they were on the AT or lost. They we...more
I really enjoyed this book! I picked it up (well downloaded it on my Kindle) both for the adventure aspect and because it was two women doing the adventuring and the writing. I knew nothing about hiking the Appalachian Trail before I started, but the sisters do such a wonderful job of describing everything - scenery, emotions, even the food they ate - that I felt like I got just a tiny taste of what such an epic adventure might be like. I'm ready to pick up the sequel!
I really enjoyed this book. Susan and Lucy are both quite engaging writers, and their adventure makes me want to hike some on the AT. I first read this book several months ago, and I just couldn't put it down until I had finished it. I recently re-read several chapters while on vacation and doing some hiking of my own. I finally got a chance to hike a small part of the AT. It was really neat to be there and to think that these gals had walked the same path that I was on.
I really enjoyed this story. It was pretty amazing to hear their story. I got a bit tired of all the flowery language. Honestly it felt like they picked up the thesaurus and used it waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. Sometimes the regular word is the best. It kind of detracted from the book as a whole. Also one of the sisters swore a lot and it made her sound less educated. So in short I loved the story but the language I could have done without.
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Good personal account. This is written chapter-by-chapter alternating between the viewpoints of the two sisters. I think this makes for a more interesting read, although I found myself having to check back to the beginning of the chapters to see who was telling the story. The writing styles of the sisters are very similar. This doesn't impact the story itself, though, which is a good one. I'd recommend it, in general.
I have always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail, and this is the second travel narrative that I have read. This book was valuable to me for that and for its difference in perspective. The first book I read was by a middle aged man, traveling alone, without his family. This book shows the perspective of the trail from the perspective of two sisters in their early-mid twenties. So, it was great to see the trail through their eyes. The depression of the musician sister also provides one insight...more
I loved this book. I have always loved hiking in the mountains and longed to hike on the Appalachian Trail as a teenager. I never did but I do a lot of walking in the Rocky Mountains and the descriptions in this book are wonderful and bring back memories of some of my hikes. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought the sequel and enjoyed it just as much. I read these books on my kindle as ebooks.
I confess. I want to hike to Appalachian Trail. Until an appropriate time comes about when I can do this I tackle it from my armchair. This is an account of two sisters taking on the trail, of 2000+ miles from Maine to Georgia, in their bare feet. They are quirky, humorous, and endearing. Upon reaching Georgia they decide, as only they can, to walk home to Maine - which is covered in their second book (Walking Home).
The size of this book originally made me wince (475 pages) but I kept seeing it on the library shelves. I finally checked it out the 4th or 5th time I saw it, and loved it. I felt like I was on the AT with them, and I'm more than halfway convinced that I should start hiking barefoot. This book kept my attention beautifully, and I can't wait to read the second one.
Two sisters decide to through hike the Appalachian Trail. What made them instantly recognizable was they hiked barefoot most of the length from Maine to Georgia.
At times, they seemed whiney, petulant and rather immature for their years. Yet, as the miles past, their muscles toughened, and they overcame various obstacles, they grew. To me, the strength of this book is the story of their growth, and the mini-stories of those hiking alongside them.
At times, they seemed whiney, petulant and rather immature for their years. Yet, as the miles past, their muscles toughened, and they overcame various obstacles, they grew. To me, the strength of this book is the story of their growth, and the mini-stories of those hiking alongside them.
Long book, but couldn't put it down. Can't even imagine geting up day after day and walking the A-T trail. But then I can't imagine the blessings and the discoveries the sisters made each and every day about human nature, interactions and genero
sity of total strangers. Interesting book.
sity of total strangers. Interesting book.
I really liked this one. Long, but very well worth the read. I liked it because it was about hiking rather than the psychological aspects of why the person is hiking. I liked hearing about the people they met and their interactions with them.
An interesting read! This is the tale of two sisters who hike the Appalachian Trail, barefoot for most of it. They could do with some editing, but the book is enjoyable. (I have no desire to hike the AT but admire them for doing it)
This book was LONG, but then again, so is the trail. I think the book has to be long to convey what it really felt like on the trail. I feel as though I hiked it with the Barefoot Sisters, though. Very interesting read. I wish I'd known a little more about their backgrounds, that always kept me wondering.
Loved this book and the portrayal of various relationships of everyday hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Made me email my BFF and ask her if she would hike it with me when the kids are grown. :)
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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm currently planning a thru-hike for 2012, and have read or I'm working on reading just about every AT related book I can get my hands on. I would put this at the top with some of my favorites to date, and I'm looking forward to receiving the second book so I can continue to learn about Isis and jackrabbit's journey.
I loved the feeling of being on the trail - the sense of adventure was real, the wonder at the natural world well expressed and the recognition of the greater good of all people clearly felt. Well done and definately recommended for those that plan to hike the trail and everyone else that dreams of it.
Loved this! I feel inspired to hike the AT or another great trail! These sisters take several detours during their hike, but their dedication to barefoot hiking was incredible!
I was interested in the story of two sisters hiking the Appalachian Trail barefoot, until about halfway through the book, when it just felt repetitive to me.
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Oct 30, 2012 02:35am