A Walk for Sunshine: A 2,160 Mile Expedition for Charity on the Appalachian Trail, 3rd Edition - Softcover

Jeff Alt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0967948231 ISBN 13: 9780967948232

Publisher: Dreams Shared Publications, 2009

Synopsis

Jeff Alt takes you along every step of his 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail adventure filled with humorous, frightening and inspirational stories including, bears, bugs, blisters, skunk bed mates and hilarious food cravings.As Alt walked through freezing temperatures, driving rain and sunny skies, he was constantly buoyed by the knowledge that his walk was dedicated to his brother who has cerebral palsy.Alt

About this title

Review

When Jeff Alt (trail name: "Wrongfoot") first decided to hike the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, he intended to do it alone. As it turned out, several hundred others walked alongside him. Hiking the AT was a longtime personal goal of Alt's, but as he began to plan his trip he realized that he wanted his effort to somehow serve a greater purpose. So he decided to share the experience by turning his adventure into a fundraiser for the Sunshine Home, a facility in Maumee, Ohio that cares for 850 developmentally disabled residents, including his brother, Aaron, who has cerebral palsy. In the seven months leading up to his walk, Alt focused completely on fundraising and training, eventually raising $16,000 that allowed the home to buy much-needed communication devices, lifts, and walkers. He also inspired an annual fundraiser, "Walk with Sunshine," and is contributing part of the proceeds of his book to the cause.

In addition to finishing, Alt's goal once his feet hit the trail was "to share the spirit for which I was walking" with everyone he met, and this he certainly accomplished. In return, he learned a great deal about life from the colorful characters he encountered on the trail, while countless kind strangers offered "trail magic" in various forms, including food, lodging, and greatly appreciated laundry services. He also received overwhelming support from his family and the residents and staff of Sunshine Home, who helped him through quarter-sized blisters, fatigue, and even self-doubt during his 147-day trek. Charming, inspiring, and often funny, A Walk for Sunshine gives readers a good feel for both the logistics involved in undertaking such a journey and the culture of "thru-hiking" the AT. It's also a moving reminder that "living your dream is one thing, but sharing it lets everyone live it with you." --Shawn Carkonen

From the Publisher

Those hardy souls who decide to attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail—a 2,160 mile trek from Georgia to Maine through rugged wilderness—usually choose to hike it alone or perhaps with one hiking partner. Yet when Jeff Alt, took the first of his more than 5 million just steps along the AT, he was accompanied by his brother, family, friends, and more than 800 strangers; and they were with him every step of the way!

Was this an attempt to break from Guinness Record? No; Alt had dedicated his AT thru-hike to his brother who suffers from cerebral palsy and the other 850 disabled citizens supported by the residential treatment home. Alt completed his journey in 147 days and inspired an annual walk that has raised over $40,000 for the Sunshine Home, in conjunction with his hike.

In A WALK FOR SUNSHINE, Alt shares his decisions that led to his hike and his dedication of the journey to help his brother and others. As Alt walks on through freezing cold temperatures, driving rain, and sunny skies; as he meets up with companionable walking buddies and obnoxious and scary individuals; as he encounters skunk, mice, bear, moose, and charging bulls; as he endures blistered feet, sprained ankles, aching muscles, and annoying insects; as he watches others who have trudged hundreds of miles decide to quit along the way because of exhaustion, boredom, and lack of proper equipment, Alt is constantly buoyed by the knowledge that his walk is for a noble cause. The packets and letters that await him at strategic check points, from reporters who interview him while he is on the trail, from “trail angels” whose offers of food, shelter, and kind words at critical moments seem heaven-sent, and from family and friends who give the needed support all along the way, all help! ed Alt be able to count himself among the small percentage of folk who can truly call themselves thru-hikers.

A portion of the profits from the sale of A WALK FOR SUNSHINE will be donated to the Sunshine Home.

We know you will find Alt’s story both entertaining and inspirational. Others who might have considered hiking the AT, or taking on some other personal challenge, may not have considered the added support that can be gained when involving a worthwhile charity. Alt explains how his hike was more than a one person, one-time happening; it has inspired an annual “Walk for Sunshine” that takes place each May. Thank you for your consideration. We know you will enjoy your hike!

About this edition

• Publisher: Dreams Shared Publications
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0967948231
• ISBN 13: 9780967948232
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 304