The Endless Trail: Socrates' Sandals on the Appalachian Trail

by Bob Fox

It’s the spring of 2015 and three teenage friends set out to thru-hike the entire 2,189 miles of Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. They are not alone in their quest as thousands attempt this each year with only one in four completing it. Eric loves the woods and adventure. He is a hiking purist who believes that to say you thru-hiked the A.T. means you hike the entire trail with your pack, no skipping or slack-packing. Being from the coast where he rarely wears shoes, he chooses to hike in unusual footwear. While most wear hiking boots or trail runner shoes, he hikes in sandals. They slog through rainy Georgia where an early injury threatens to unravel the group. Upon befriending a female Australian hiker, the sordid side of the hiking community reveals itself. Trail angels and parents provide support and motivation along the way to the trail weary travelers. Opportunities for a unique experience are not overlooked in this once in a lifetime adventure. The notorious White Mountains of New Hampshire present them with a level of danger any hiker should take heed of. Which of them will prevail over the trail is for the reader to discover. The story presents the human side of the struggle to conquer this beloved trail.

352 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2016

About the author

Bob Fox is a California native who has lived in greater Charleston South Carolina for over thirty years. He and his wife moved there after falling in love with the area as tourists. His writing career began with The Endless Trail: Socrates’ Sandals on the Appalachian Trail, a memoir about his son’s thru-hike. A Common Bond: Trials of Romance, is his debut fiction novel. He formerly enjoyed recreational off-shore fishing, but now prefers being a landlubber and day hiker. Bob also enjoys reading and gaming.