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The Unlikely Thru-Hiker
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey | Derick Lugo
3 posts | 4 read | 6 to read
Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He didn't even know if he liked being outside all that much. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job overseas cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the greater New York comedy circuit began to think about what he might do with months of free time and no commitments. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail and knew of its potential for danger and adventure, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,192 miles of it. Then again, what could go wrong for a young black man from the city trekking solo through the East Coast backwoods? The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of how an unknowing ambassador of one of the AT's least common demographics, unfamiliar with both the outdoors and thru-hiking culture, sets off with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude to conquer the infamous trail. What follows are eye-opening lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. But this isn't a hard-nosed memoir of discouragement or intolerance. What sets Lugo apart from the typical walk in the woods is his refusal to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna. Through it all, he perseveres with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming--earning him the trail name "Mr. Fabulous"--that sees him from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine.
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Robotswithpersonality
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A truly lovely recounting by a lovely individual. Lugo/Mr. Fabulous's attitude made all the difference, in his hike and in his narration. This has to be the only hiking memoir I've read that really didn't stress the hardships of the trail, (not that it missed reporting on them, or regarding hijinks and humourous misfortunes), and also completely skipped the 'gearing up' phase. It is purely moments on the trail, and rest stops as appropriate. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Fabulous is an amateur at the start but he humbly indicates gains in experience and wisdom. There are sights seen and obstacles overcome but mostly there are people he meets and hikes with, and his own emotional landscape. Fab does touch on the experiences of being one of the few if not the only current Black thru-hiker, as well as being profiled as a Rastafarian with a weed connection, but the framing does feel like discomfiting subjects 2d
Robotswithpersonality 3/? he wants to shrug off with equanimity and humour, rather than make a larger topic of discussion. His memoir, his choice.
Aside from indicating the benefit of a positive outlook (or maybe just a naturally chill, kind demeanor), I wouldn't necessarily consider the book direct inspiration for hiking the Appalachian Trail, unless you're already very invested, but if you enjoy walking/hiking memoirs, this one's a real treat.
2d
Robotswithpersonality 4/4 ⚠️A dog is a brief companion on the walk, and its fate is uncertain, as much as it's returned to its owner, so if you're sensitive to this, watch out for Chapter 20, Magic.
On the other side of the coin, Chapter 6, Farewell to Indoor Plumbing is hilarious (no grossness, promise).
(edited) 2d
9 likes3 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
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Get it, Grandma! 😄
The author has such a lovely outlook. ☺️

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BookishShelly
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Pickpick

Loved this book.

Soubhiville It sounds great! 5y
CaliforniaCay Oooh that cover 😍💕✌🏾 5y
30 likes3 stack adds2 comments