Only When I Step on It: One Man's Inspiring Journey to Hike the Appalachian Trail Alone

4.5 | 1,789 ratings

Price: 17.46

Last update: 06-16-2024

Top reviews from the United States

Kiva

Surprisingly Great!

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024

I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would! The author has a relatable and easygoing writing style. I felt like I was right there in those hostels or on the trail with him. I started reading to hear about adventures on the Appalachian Trail, but ended up fascinated by the author’s internal journey to heal himself. Having a family member who suffers with chronic illness, I could relate to the false hope of finding the right doctor to help you. I am very inspired and impressed with his optimism and drive to figure out his injury. This book will leave you feeling hopeful and inspired!

jdb

Very uplifting for me

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024

I bought this on a recommendation of a friend. I am also going through a life changing injury that has stopped me from backpacking. This helped me to see that I must think outside of the box. Great book, and I have now purchesed for others.

Gina B

Inspiring

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024

I've read a lot of books about Appalachian Trail experiences, and I found this one to be one of the most inspiring. It was really a very good story about perseverance and overcoming struggles. I subtracted one star because I think it just needed a little more editing. For example, the name of the shelter near the top of Mount Rogers in Virginia is Thomas ( not Thompson ) Knob. It was a good read.

S. Sizemore

Inspirational!

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024

I’m not a hiker, but my daughter is a huge fan of the outdoors and hiking. She is dreaming of a 6 month hike. As a mother it terrifies me because she is going to do it by herself. After reading “Only When I Step On It” I’m not as worried. Peter shares so many details of how the other hikes give you advice and park rangers. The hostels are safe and helpful. I now know about tracking beacons in case she has trouble.

I read this book in two days. I loved every minute of it. I love how Peter found his own way of doing the trail. Just like in life there is more than one way to achieve your goal. He thought outside the box to figure how to do it injured and more enjoyable. He is an inspiration to all about not giving up when life gives you a hard curve ball. He shares so many poignant messages about acceptance, true happiness and hope. I especially like how he shared that when we want to make change we expect it happen the next day. Life doesn’t work like that. We then get frustrated and disappointed when it doesn’t happen fast enough. He reminds us to pick a path and work towards your goal and don’t give up. Thank you for sharing your story Peter. Btw, I suffered with through chronic head pain from a dead nerve for 18 months. I can relate to how you felt. All you feel is pain. It robs you of everything. Thankfully, am mostly healed.

Brian k.

Perseverance and patience

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2024

Hey Peter,
I bought this book thinking I’d read it while vacationing in Michigan this summer only to be sidelined with chronic back pain after a recent fall off a ladder.
I too hiked the AT with only 500 miles remaining and learned many things while attempting to hike the entire trail.
Reading your book here in Texas really inspired me to get off my couch as soon as I could and forced myself back to walking. I was ready to give up after a failed attempt to surgically fix my crushed vertebrae. Anger and frustration set in and took Hydrocodone for the pain. After my fourth 4 mile walk, and taking pain meds, I was feeling desperate. My PC suggested I see a new Neurosurgeon as well as a pain doctor. My PC suggested maybe a pain pump or a spinal nerve stimulator. I was disgusted with the whole conversation.
Miraculously, on my last two 4 mile jaunts, I started to do light stretching. My fifth walk was today. I came home not with a pain score of 5-6, and taking another hydrocodone, to virtually no pain at all! I learned early on in life how to deal with pain after losing my left arm in a car accident my Freshman year in college.. I called it “The long run solution” long distance running got me off pain meds and antidepressants to the point where I finished college and had a very successful career in sales! remember Ing those days and after reading your book, I forced myself to get off that couch from my recent injury. I can’t run anymore, but I sure can walk!
I am very grateful to have read your book during this time of desperation! Thanks again

NPM

90% overcoming injury, 10% Appalachian Trail narrative

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024

I made it through 300 pages and feel like I put in as much effort as the author. I kept slogging it out, thinking it would get better but I’m done. I can see why people have left strong reviews. The guy definitely has some intestinal fortitude. I was an avid marathon runner (18 including Boston three times) and then got Lyme disease and other complications. It’s been a long road back but I’m as fit now as I was 10 years ago when the saga started so I know about overcoming. But this book drones on endlessly about his challenges… A third of what he describes would’ve been more than enough. At times I wanted to give him four stars and at times I wanted to give them one and a half. If you are a serious/regular backpacker, wanting to read a book about adventure on the trail this is probably not for you. But if you want to read a very long tale of a guy overcoming a serious challenge, go for it.

Customer

Open and honest

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024

I really liked Peters story and how well he told it. His thoughts,feelings,and experiences are told with honesty and clarity. He shares his life. I've read other SO stories and app that this one is not ful of booze, drugs, and sex as !any of them are. This is a wholesome great read.

Kelly Carlson

I was sad for the book to end!

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024

I am fascinated with learning about the Appalachian Trail so I really enjoyed this book. It was a motivating story. He was able to hike the entire trail despite a very serious prior leg injury and chronic pain. He took his time, broke it into manageable days, and made accommodations that worked for his personal situation. I would have loved to have learned even more details about the experience. I have so many more questions about how to accomplish this journey. I feel like I could sit down with him and interview him for days. I will probably continue to read more books about the Appalachian Trail to learn even more. I truly enjoyed going on the journey with him and was sad to finish the book!

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