My buddy, Tom LeVert, and I got back from the Mahoosucs a few days back.  We hiked from Hwy. 2 near Gorham, NH, to the base of Mount Bigelow near Stratton, Me.  It was amazingly difficult and a lot harder for me than when I did it the first time 40 years ago. We shared the collective grief of the family and friends of the woman who disappeared on the AT up there.  I also visited the AT Museum in PA on the way home and gave a talk on thru-hiking.  It was fun to meet with my publisher, Larry Luxenberg, who is working hard with our designer to get THRU ready to read.  More info soon.

I traveled to Western Carolina University at Cullwhee this weekend to attend the ATC conference. What a beautifully located campus!  Spent time talking to the new ED of the conference and my old buddy, Bob Almand the outgoing Board Chair.  Congratulations to Bob for receiving the coveted ATC Honorary Membership.  Best part of the conference was talking to my publisher, Larry Luxenberg, president of the AT Museum.  We talked about the strategy for releasing THRU as well as the long-term prospects of publishing a book solely for the benefit of a not-for-profit.  We are extremely enthusiastic about our prospects.  Keep reading the blog, my friends, and we will have an e-book ready for you to read pretty soon.

THRU: An Appalachian Trail Love Story will soon be available.  Penned by yours truly, Richard “Peregrine” Judy, and published by the Appalachian Trail Museum, THRU chronicles the adventures of a diverse group of hikers who meet at Springer Mtn., the southern terminus of the legendary Appalachian Trail, and head north toward the northern terminus, Maine’s venerable Mt. Katahdin.  The book has been professionally edited and is now undergoing design and publishing pre-prep.  An e-version should be ready for sale by early fall at the latest.  All proceeds will go to the Appalachian Trail Museum.

Why am I excited? Simply because this is the culmination of a 40-year dream.  I left Springer Mtn. 40 years ago, after completing my own SOBO thru-hike, with a dream of committing to paper the humor, drama, pain, ecstasy and misery of an end-to-end AT hike.  Now, just one year away from completing the AT for the second time — this time as a section hiker — my 4 decade dream is about to come true.  So, wait patiently for this new book, buy it and read it.  Even if you are not enchanted by the story, which I sincerely hope is not the case, at least you will have helped the AT Museum.  You can’t lose!

Watch this blog for updates on the book, trail news, accounts of my trail and travel life, and observations from an old timer on outdoor education, adventure and life in general.