Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America

Hike Your Own Hike is about hiking the entire Appalachian Trail and how its key lessons apply to everyday life.Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who: • Loves reading outdoor adventure books. • Has a good life, but wants to have an amazing one. • Wants to learn more about the Appalachian Trail. • Dislikes preachy self-help books, but doesn't mind getting some useful ideas presented in a light tone. • Is stuck in a rut and is looking for some inspiration to make important changes. • Likes to support starving writers. Unlike the typical self-help book, Hike Your Own Hike: • Provides an entertaining, flowing tale as a backdrop. • Draws all its lessons from the adventure of walking the entire Appalachian Trail.• Doesn’t take itself so darn seriously! Unlike the typical travelogue, Hike Your Own Hike: • Is not all about the author, it’s about what YOU can get out of the story. • Delivers practical ideas that help you squeeze more out of life. • Recounts a challenging southbound thru-hike versus the typical northbound thru-hike (only 5% hike southbound). The Seven Principles on how to get the most out of life are: 1. Hike Your Own Hike.2. Beware of Summit Fever.3. Hike with Passion.4. Learn from Trail Lore.5. Eat Well, Walk Hard, and Sleep Soundly.6. Practice Trail Magic.7. The Journey is Too Important to Take Seriously.Each chapter in the book is devoted to each concept. Chapter One starts in Maine where Francis learned the First Principle. Chapter Seven ends in Georgia where he learned the Seventh Principle. Summary: Hike Your Own Hike will inspire you to change your life without lecturing you. With over 50 photos and two color maps, this book will transport on an intense and remarkable journey that is filled with wisdom, insight, and mosquitoes. Visit www.FrancisTapon.com to download the first chapter for free!

Francis Tapon was born and raised in San Francisco. He has hiked across America four times, walked across Spain twice, backpacked over 12,500 miles in the mountains, and was a finalist in the California Outdoors Hall of Fame. He was the first to do a round-trip on the Continental Divide Trail (5,600 miles). It was a 7 month journey.
He has been covered in The New York Times Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, National Geographic Adventure and Backpacker Magazine.
Amazon & Lincoln Mercury selected him as the best example of someone who is fulfilling the dream of traveling the world.
He has a BA in Religion from Amherst College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.