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

I found this story to be personally uplifting and encouraging. I suffered nerve damage two years ago as the result of a fall, leaving me with constant pain in my left leg from hip to heel. I’m now off destructive pain med’s and can now walk two miles of moderate terrain on a good day. The author’s story has given me hope for continued healing and an eventual return to long trails and overnight camps.

Good read, a nice thru hiking book that’s a little bit different than the others I’ve read.

I have read a few memoirs of long term hikers and this may be the best I've read. It's about a hike on the AT, but it's also a story of a man with a serious chronic pain problem. He's very candid and insightful about himself and his feelings. He recounts his decision to make the hike, his preparation, his observations about the people he encounters, his successes and setbacks. He developed an alternative way of doing the hike (all of it) that allows him to complete it. The pacing of his writing, his storytelling about his family, his injuries and his relationship with pain are all well done. I looked forward to reading it each evening. Don't skip the Epilogue - you get a more complete picture of the author.

Peter has written an incredibly unique story, in an incredibly unique way. This is not a typical biography. It reads more like a diary, or better, like talking with a friend in a cafe. What Peter has done is offer an unfiltered look into the life and thinking of someone who has experienced trauma and is trying to heal from it. To move past it. As a reader, and someone processing through his own trauma, this book was like a Balm of Gilead. Each time I picked it up, I learned something new about me, even as I learned about Peter. I have not only highlighted sentences but entire paragraphs and thoughts. This is introspection at a deep level. If you are familiar with the practice, you will likely fly through this book. If not, you should still read it, but take your time. Really absorb it. You'll be glad you did. At the same time, Peter takes time to describe a number of the days he spent on the trail, including details that at first glance seem mundane. Maybe they are, but to this reader, they serve a purpose. Healing can happen in the every day, one step at a time. I was skeptical of this book at first. I am beyond glad that I started reading it, and have now finished it. I believe you, future reader, will be too. Thank you for sharing your story Peter. This is an incredible and meaningful work.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author, Peter Conti, was able to share his story in a way that makes you feel like you're hiking right with him. And he really helped me to understand what living with chronic pain is like. Fortunately I have only had minor aches and pains throughout my life, but I learned from him that if I did ever suffer like that, you can find an inner strength way down deep that you never knew you had. I hope I never have to go through what Peter went through, but at least I know that inner strength is always there if we need it. Throughout his adventure he made me laugh, use my imagination, wince a few times and wonder in awe at what he did. My only gripe would be that he didn't include enough pictures of this once in a lifetime adventure!

I'm a published writer and I know how excruciatingly hard writing is, so I'm trying to be kind to this author, but as I read through his book (I'm over halfway through), I'm really struggling to stay with it because I don't really like how he presents as a person. From his excitement at the thought he could pass another hiker because she was fat, to the awful revenge he takes on a hiker who disses his career, to writing snarky things in a trail journal, to getting angry when people ask about his well-being, to wanting to tell his kids as a joke that he broke his leg - none of that feels, well, nice. (He also lies and tells people outright or implies that he's a thru-hiker, when he's not.) I'm hoping that what surely must be a holy and spiritual journey - tackling the Appalachian Trail and living amongst nature's wonders for an extended period of time - will have a soul-uplifting effect on him. Take away his need to compete and to be vengeful, and perhaps encourage him to be a kinder, gentler person. Because it's really hard to root for his success when you're wincing at his behaviors. Don't get me wrong: I suffer from chronic pain and I know what it can do to one's disposition. Kudos to the author for even tackling such a monumental feat under the circumstances of his suffering. Impressive! I just hope that as his foot and leg get better, maybe they will inspire him to want to be better as well.

Great book. I deal with chronic pain myself, and though it's for a different reason, this man's story and journey really inspired me. It's well written, interesting, funny in places, sad at times, but mostly upbeat. Peter's determination and perseverence were inspiring for me.

Eigentlich müßte man den Autor bewundern, dass er so durchhält, obwohl er kurz vorm Aufgeben stand. Andrerseits ist er selber schuld an der Misere und sieht das lange nicht ein und seine Familie, vor allem seine Frau, muss es büßen. Sehr egoistischer Typ, der immer sich in den Vordergund stellt, wirkt echt arrogant auf mich. Trotzdem Respekt vor seiner Leistung.

I've read lots of long distance hiking, biking or motorcycling books, and I initially thought, 'do I really want to read another?' After reading one chapter, the answer was a definite 'yes'. It was refreshing to read a book so honest and realistic about the challenges both physical and mental that Peter Conti faced recovering from a motorcycle accident and deciding to walk the Appalachian Trail to further his recovery. Dive in, you'll enjoy this one.

An inspirational book with plenty of funny and witty bits. It's amazing what someone can achieve with a positive mindset and determination. Many congratulations to Peter for what he has achieved and continues to achieve.

Lovely read about the AT and having a go despite a life changing injury. Super achievement, persistence and inspiring story.