It's Not About the Hike: Two Ordinary Women on an Extraordinary Journey

by Nancy Sporborg

It's Not About the Hike is the story of two ordinary women on an extraordinary journey. And it's not about the hike -- this book is a motivational and inspirational book that shares the incredibly human story of two non-hikers who one day decide to climb the 67 highest mountains in New England and what they find out about themselves as they journey up and over the mountain summits. What makes this book special is that this is not just their journey -- it is everyone's journey. We all have our own mountain to climb. It might be a 4,000-footer in the White Mountains, but it might be raising children or caring for aging parents, dealing with a work project or starting an exercise program. You will see yourself in these hike reports and feel inspired to get out of your own comfort zone and move toward your dreams. If they can do it -- you can do it too.
In 2006, Nancy Sporborg and Pat Piper, two fifty-something women, set out on a quest to climb the forty-eight highest mountains in New Hampshire a goal that eventually expanded to include the highest peaks of New England and the Adirondacks as well as a revisit of the original forty-eight in winter conditions. Little did they know the trails would lead them on a journey not just to the heights of the region s peaks and precipices, but also into the depths of their own beings.
Over the course of five years of Saturday hiking, Pat and Nancy grappled with their demons and their aspirations, forged a profound friendship, and uncovered the kind of inner strength needed to make one s way up an ice-covered rock face or along a wind-whipped cliff's edge. They set up a website, began posting reports on each hike, and launched a series of inspirational talks. They wanted to share what they d learned that we each already possess the courage needed to face whatever mountains need climbing. It's Not About the Hike is a collection of Nancy Sporborg's hike reports. Together, the reports form a narrative that s moving, sometimes cliff-hanging (literally!) and always inspirational. They also tell the story of two women who set out in search of fitness, panoramic views, and companionship, and found themselves.

Genres: Memoir

351 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2011

Reviews

[Christine]

I really enjoyed this book. I love books like this, like 48 Peaks and others that describe the trails and the experience. I marked several spots where I like the way Nancy describes something or the way she pinpoints a feeling or insight. I would like to see Pat’s notes, too, though, and I’d love to know where both women are now.

[Readersaurus]

Love the idea and I probably would get a kick out of meeting these women in person. It was also enjoyable paging through the photographs, (though they lacked any captioning). I just could not get into reading (over and over) 'I woke up too early, ate this brand of granola bar, it tasted good, it didn't taste good, holy shit.' The writing just didn't take me anywhere.

Disappointing. I really wanted to like this one. I also feel bad b/c I gave this book as a gift to someone I love and I thought it would be fabulous.

[Ray]

The stories of two hiking buddies adventures. I recently finished the NH 48 and found much of the telling of their adventures very relatable. The parts describing the special relationship and bond between the two hikers are quite poignant as an incredible friendship and bond forms between hiking friends. My memories with my hiking buddy of 16 of the 48 are very special.

[lynn]

I've read what one might think a ridiculous number of hiking biographies and this is one of the best! Two women in their early fifties meet and decide to try hiking. They start out walking around their home town, talking and getting to know each other. Ultimately, they become peakbaggers in the White Mountains and beyond, tackling the toughest mountains in New England in all seasons. As they journey through their quest, they also learn much about hiking, nature, challenges, emotional ups and downs, life's trials and more, which they mange to work through together. As the title suggests, their adventures are not just aboutx hiking but also about life and all that comes with making our way through that labyrinth. Just an amazing book. You may not realize it, but you gradually become an active participant in ztheir journey and find yourself crying and laughing and having "Ah, Hah!!" moments with them. A trully amazing experience! Plus, they do live presentations of their quest all over New England, so if you have to the opportunity to see them in person, do so.

[Shelie]

This is a really inspirational story about 2 women who decided to get fit and ended up on a journey of hiking that taught them a lot about themselves. While I think all hikers will enjoy the book,others will as well because it's about facing whatever mountain you need to climb and digging deep to find the strength to do it. The color photos of mountains and summits across New England are worth a look as well.

[Cheryl]

I found this book to be very interesting. It is about hiking in the New England area. Two women develop a close friendship hiking in the mountains. They deal with several personal issues as they do these hikes. The book is well written and has many excellent pictures.Inspirational. Reminds me of the hikes I have done and the close friendships that were formed on the trails.

[Jeannie]

I thought it was wonderfully written. I've seen Nancy and Pat's presentation on their hiking adventures and found it marvolously inspiring! They are incredible goal oreinted women. Nancy incorporates life lessons from hiking experiences and personal history to keep it interesing. It makes we wish I were 30 years younger! Bravo Nancy and Pat!

[Beverly]

Laurene gave this to me for my birthday after seeing on my TO Read list! It was a great book for me - I underlined thoughts and feelings of the author throughout the book. And I liked reading about the hiking and her goals.

[Dianne]

Not as great as I had hoped. This book was basically a collection of trip reports of hikes completed by 2 women in their 50s. There were some inspiring parts, but mostly very basic writing. Not my favorite hiking story.