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Paths less traveled in the great Smoky mountains
Stories about off-trail hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mainly stories to entertain, but if you'll pay careful attention, you'll learn about some great, out-of-the-way places in the Cat Stairs, Jumpoff, the "real" Charlies Bunion, Porters Creek manway, The Gorge of Raven Fork, and plenty of others.
234 pages, Paperback
Published December 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 15, 2020
This is the second book by sociologist and avid off-trail hiker Greg Hoover. As I mentioned in my fist mini-review, my disclaimer is that I am friends with Greg and have enjoyed a few decidedely "on trail" hikes with him.
Paths Less Traveled concentrates on Greg's passion: off-trail hiking. For Greg, "off trail" usually means climbing, pushing, crawling and sliding through areas that the vast majority of mankind would label as pure idiocy. And I am fairly confident that Greg doens't mind that opinion at all. Indeed, he relishes it. He takes pride in following the famous Star Trek motto of "going where no man (or at least very, very few) has gone before." He is gleefully infected with that curiosity bug that wonders "what's over that next ridge" or "what wonders await if I hike through that stream". The perils that may await are of little or no consequence. The payoff is the seclusion and enjoying areas and sights that few have ever seen.
The book is a collection of these stories and adventures. He not only describes these adventures, along with their perils and rewards, in great detail, but he also interjects discussions on history, philosophy and spirituality. These stories are always told in an interesting and humorous fashion, one that will leave you smiling and chuckling.
Warning! The stories may also leave you frustrated and perhaps a bit (or a lot) envious. While I admit that I am not as adventurous as Greg and his fellow off-trail tribe, I do suffer from wanderlust and long to see and experience some of the destinations he describes. No, I am not as willing to put my body and life in as much peril or danger as he seems to enjoy, but I am willing to try those pathways that do not involve as much potential physical danger to my admittedly aging body and psyche. So, the frustration comes from knowing that I will likely never be able to experience or accomplish what he has done. The envy comes from knowing that he has done it and I likely will not ... or cannot.
The book is a delight to read, but not as easy to relate to as his first book "Hallowed Hills and Holy Waters". His first book, with a few exceptions, concentrates on trails and adventures that any experienced hiker could enjoy. The adventures described in this second book, however, are for the select few brave (perhaps foolish?) souls who do not mind getting bruised, scraped and bloodied to satisfy their need for seclusion and going to places where few have tread.
Paths Less Traveled concentrates on Greg's passion: off-trail hiking. For Greg, "off trail" usually means climbing, pushing, crawling and sliding through areas that the vast majority of mankind would label as pure idiocy. And I am fairly confident that Greg doens't mind that opinion at all. Indeed, he relishes it. He takes pride in following the famous Star Trek motto of "going where no man (or at least very, very few) has gone before." He is gleefully infected with that curiosity bug that wonders "what's over that next ridge" or "what wonders await if I hike through that stream". The perils that may await are of little or no consequence. The payoff is the seclusion and enjoying areas and sights that few have ever seen.
The book is a collection of these stories and adventures. He not only describes these adventures, along with their perils and rewards, in great detail, but he also interjects discussions on history, philosophy and spirituality. These stories are always told in an interesting and humorous fashion, one that will leave you smiling and chuckling.
Warning! The stories may also leave you frustrated and perhaps a bit (or a lot) envious. While I admit that I am not as adventurous as Greg and his fellow off-trail tribe, I do suffer from wanderlust and long to see and experience some of the destinations he describes. No, I am not as willing to put my body and life in as much peril or danger as he seems to enjoy, but I am willing to try those pathways that do not involve as much potential physical danger to my admittedly aging body and psyche. So, the frustration comes from knowing that I will likely never be able to experience or accomplish what he has done. The envy comes from knowing that he has done it and I likely will not ... or cannot.
The book is a delight to read, but not as easy to relate to as his first book "Hallowed Hills and Holy Waters". His first book, with a few exceptions, concentrates on trails and adventures that any experienced hiker could enjoy. The adventures described in this second book, however, are for the select few brave (perhaps foolish?) souls who do not mind getting bruised, scraped and bloodied to satisfy their need for seclusion and going to places where few have tread.
October 26, 2017
What an adventure!? As a member of Hike the Smokies Facebook page I have read many stories about off trail daring. I knew many of the names and locations mentioned by the author. The author describes his routes and abilities honestly and hides no part of his fear or phobias. I could easily follow his paths but his descriptions include just enough danger to dissuade the average hiker, which is a good thing.
I was disappointed in the editing. There were a few typos in the Amazon printed work, but also the author had duplicated himself in a few areas. Covering the same topics numerous times or nearly repeating the same sentences in different chapters. Some places even had a sense of déjà vu because of the repetition.
As an avid TRAIL hiker of the smokies, I really enjoyed this book. I have learned from it what is just beyond the end of the trails I have already conquered. It has drawn me to want to visit the former park roads and trails, but I don't think I'll be as adventurous the author and his friends.
I was disappointed in the editing. There were a few typos in the Amazon printed work, but also the author had duplicated himself in a few areas. Covering the same topics numerous times or nearly repeating the same sentences in different chapters. Some places even had a sense of déjà vu because of the repetition.
As an avid TRAIL hiker of the smokies, I really enjoyed this book. I have learned from it what is just beyond the end of the trails I have already conquered. It has drawn me to want to visit the former park roads and trails, but I don't think I'll be as adventurous the author and his friends.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews