Hiking from Home: A Long-Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends

by Juliana Chauncey

Hiking From A Long-Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends is an informative guide for those supporting a long-distance hiker. It explains the basics of long-distance hiking as well as logistics, such as what gear is carried, how hikers eat, where they sleep, and how they know where to go.
This supportive guide addresses safety concerns from extreme weather conditions to illnesses and injuries, while teaching the reader about the culture and community surrounding our long-distance trails. Hiking From Home outlines ways to stay in touch and eases concerns that arise when communication is lacking. This guide provides useful suggestions on how to remain supportive from before the hike begins to long after it is over, with additional resources included for significant others who are in a relationship with the hiker. Throughout the book quotes from previous hikers and supporters keep the reader engaged, with opinions, tips, and suggestions from perspectives of all ages and backgrounds.
Hiking From A Long-Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends is an essential read for anyone who wants to better understand long-distance hiking.

Genres: Nonfiction

230 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2020

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good purchase for anyone who plans on going on a long distance trail [U.S. only] in which the traveler may seem to be at risk. More narrowly, this is aimed at those going into the wilderness along side other hikers.

The primary reason to grab a copy is to gift it to your loved ones who will watch your trek from a distance — primarily partners, parents, or children. Unless they're fairly knowledgeable about backpacking, they’ll be mystified at idea of spending weeks or months doing such a thing. After all, you'll expect to spend much of that time dirty, often exhausted, hungry, or uncomfortably exposed to weather. Family will often be mystified, and perhaps anxious.

It's also a pretty good read for anyone going on such a trip for the first time.

I've been backpacking a long time, but I've only done one trip (the John Muir Trail, the most staggeringly beautiful long trail in the world) that required me to resupply. That was officially 211 miles (340 km), from Yosemite Valley to the top of Mount Whitney, and it took me seventeen days.

Next year, in 2022, I expect to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, which is 2,654 miles (4,271 km). That takes the average hiker between four and six months. (The PCT subsumes the JMT, so I happily get to revisit the most staggeringly beautiful long trail in the world, but this time south-to-north.)

I've read Chauncey's book as part of my preparations, and will forward it to my sister and her family. I don't have a partner, children, or living parents, and my family has long become used to me backpacking, or taking other long trips, so I doubt there's much anxiety. But this will probably still satisfy some curiosity.

[Oh, my only gripe: the typography includes some mild disappointments. Long quotations are written in a thinner font on a shaded background, so are a bit of a strain to read. The copy editor or publisher wasn't quite up to professional standards. But the content is excellent.]

[Robert Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fills a niche that no other hiking book does, and I've read dozens. This is not a "how to successfully complete a hike" book. It isn't a memoir or tell all of a hike. It isn't about someone's growth in overcoming tremendous odds and completing something that few people can. Now that you know what it isn't, what is it? It's a book about hiking--for people who aren't hiking. If you are planning a hike of the Appalachian Trail or similar long distance trek, this book is not for you--it's for your parents, significant other, or loved ones who are not accompanying you. It lays out what they should know about what you will be doing on your hike--how you will sleep, eat, and even answer the calls of nature.

I'm a follower of Chaunce from her YouTube adventures of the AT and her podcast Backpacker Radio. This book is a no-nonsense "what to expect" guide for the person who isn't hiking. She answers almost every question. Besides not addressing what to do if you encounter a Sasquatch or are abducted by a UFO on trail, she has the rest covered. She has done a good amount of reading and research (over 100 end notes) and reaching out to hikers and experts to complete this first of its kind book. There are a few minor annoyances like a half dozen typo/grammar errors that an editor would have fixed and the insets that quote experts or other hikers in their own words. These are great ideas but the text in a weird font on gray background slowed me down. I was also taken out of the flow by parenthetical metric units which were used too frequently in quoting distances. But these are nitpicks and the book is a good one. If you are going to hike, get this book--for the ones who will be supporting you from home.

[Jenna Ross]

I have nothing but great things to say about this book! It explains everything there is to know about long distance hiking in a way that is easy to understand for those with little to no knowledge about the subject. It breaks down all the common questions and concerns that our loved ones have asked us leading up to our hike. I particularly appreciated the section about self protection, since this is what we get the most questions about, as well as the post trail depression chapters. It is everything I want my family to know prior to leaving for my hike and I think it will really help my mom, who is struggling with the idea of me and my partner leaving for five months. I also really appreciated that everything written in the guide was based on research, Chaunce’s experience long distance hiking, or the experience of those she interviewed. I bought 3 copies - one for my mother, one for my mother in law, and one for my sister. I can’t recommend enough! Buy it for your family if you’re going to be hiking (or for yourself if you’re a loved one who has someone going on a long distance hike).

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter recommended this book as she is hiking the PCT. I thought it was fantastic to really understand what it is she’s undertaking. Although I was aware of many of the logistical, equipment and food parts of the trip it really tackled the emotional side of doing a long distance thru hike from both the hiker and family perspectives. Highlighted many points and things to consider, phrases that are helpful…and not so helpful so I can be a supportive and encouraging parent for her on this journey.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My oldest son is getting ready to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, going from Mexico to Canada. He knows me well, so he gave me this book to help me feel more comfortable with his adventure and to help me understand more about what the experience would be like for him. Smart kid who knows his mom well. I appreciated the approach that the author took, breaking down everything from the physical demands, mental demands, how best to support, what to expect, etc. Great resource for anyone who has someone close to them embarking on this kind of an adventure.

[Lauren Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really helpful book for beginning long-distance hikers and their families. Conveys accurate information in a manner that is relatable. Anyone who incorporates beer into their hiking budget definitely has a realistic understanding of hiking the AT.

[Kenny Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

After deciding it was finally time to begin planning my own adventure on the AT, I came across Juliana Chauncey's review of some gear on YouTube. She seemed knowledgeable and genuine, so I checked out more of her videos...then all of her videos. I like her style, so I was pumped when I saw she has a book...and even more pumped it's written specifically to ease the worried minds of my loved ones.

I just finished reading it once to get an idea of what's in it. She addresses a lot of the concerns that some family members have already expressed to me. It pretty thoroughly covers possible concerns for both parties involved (the hiker and the loved one at home) and provides tips + advice based on testimonies from previous hikers. As the hiker, I'm not the target audience. But it was definitely interesting to read a resource written to educate someone else about what I'm doing. It forced me to look at this endeavour from their POV...and to consider how my plans affect them. Now I'm excited to read through this a 2nd time to highlight certain parts that I know will be particularly beneficial for the family to notice/remember.

Quick/easy read. Great resource. Every sentence was informative and worthwhile. If you're looking for something to help your family or friends better understand this journey you've decided to take...this book is the one you need...as you know.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers exactly what is promised. As someone who will be headed out for a long distance trek, I have been doing a lot of research and preparation for the journey. It was reaffirming to see that I already knew the topics that were covered in this book. I bought this book as a gift for my parents and wanted to read through it first to make some notes before handing it to them. I think the book covers all its bases. It will allow my family to understand what I am about to undertake better with information compiled all in one resource. It offers detailed explanations on what a hiker does to eat and sleep on trail as well as how to stay safe and communicate with those at home. Its informative without being information overload with all the nitty gritty details that the hiker herself needs to know. It is a digestible version of information on thru hiking for loved ones at home.

I will be giving this to family to read and may update my review upon them completing the book.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written for the loved ones of long-distance hikers, so that the former feel more comfortable about the latter's time on the trail. It covers the basics of long-distance hiking (why, food, budget, safety, etc.). It's definitely biased in favor of the hiker and that reads a little entitled when it comes to the section on communication. The quotes from hikers and their loved ones are an interesting addition; unfortunately, they're pale letters on a pale background, making them tough to read.

This also serves as a good resource for the hikers themselves. There are intriguing sections on what to do when a hiker wants to quit the trail or leaves the trail early.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliana has a great approach to explaining all details, big and small, to those who are supporting someone through a long distance through hike. While I am not the target audience, as I am the hiker, I really enjoyed this read. I wanted to have a grasp on the book before I handed over to my family members or friends to use as a tool while I am on a through hike. A worth while read to help lessen some of the worries one may have when their loved one is embarking on such an adventure. Also great help to catch someone up on all the hiking jargon.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format of this book was very difficult to read. The author wrote and that was regular print and then testimonials from hikers and that was grayed out. Very disturbing. There were some very helpful things in terms of understanding more about hiking. I have a niece and her family on a long hike now, really nothing about families.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister left on Tuesday to start the PCT. She will be gone for six months and she recommended this book to help us understand everything she’s going through & why she is doing it.
Very informative!

[ariel *ੈ✩‧₊˚]

Well written and informative. There are a few areas that are a little info dumpy and could have been trimmed, but it’s a great starting point!

[Rob Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it as I plan a thru hike to see if it was worth getting for family. It is. Every situation will be different, but the text addresses many of the questions I've already been asked.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content was good but actually reading the book was a struggle. The quotes from hikers and their families were in a light all caps font with a grey background that made it even harder to read.

[Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book to convince my parents and close ones to support me in doing long-distance hiking. I thought it was a great resource to pass along to my mom, to reassure her that she's not alone in her concerns about my safety.

[Kimberly Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Backpacker Radio and Chauncey is a favorite of mine from the show. She’s so funny and down to earth. I found this book from that podcast and her IG. I think this is a MUST read if you have a loved one going on a multi-month backpacking trip. It can be scary and knowing the ins and outs of that world will help.