Wednesday, July 12, 2023

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club publishes review of "Ramble On"!

Earlier this month the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, founded in 1927 for the purpose of constructing hundreds of miles of the original Appalachian Trail, and is now in charge of maintaining the trail in the Mid-Atlantic region, published a review of my new book, Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World. I want to sincerely thank Wayne Limberg for publishing his detailed review of the book in the latest edition of The Potomac Appalachian, the monthly newsletter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

In the review, Limberg notes that "One of the more entertaining chapters in “Ramble On” deals with the evolution of hiking gear. Using old guides and catalogs, Doran describes what the well-dressed hiker wore from roughly the 1840s to present, with short histories and pictures of the development of boots, fleece, breathable waterproof fabrics, and packs. The section on women’s fashions speaks volumes on the social mores of the Victorian age. Doran gets high marks for highlighting the role of women in the hiking movement throughout the book."

Mr. Limberg concluded his extensive appraisal by also stating,“Ramble On” closes with an intelligent discussion of the future of hiking. Doran identifies overcrowding as the biggest challenge to hiking and offers some good stats, arguing that hiking’s popularity has become its worst enemy. The pandemic only added to the problem. Doran offers some familiar solutions, including more trails, shuttles to trailheads, user fees, and corporate sponsorship, but also includes arguments on both sides as to their likely impact and success."

To read the entire review (on page 12), please click here. To purchase the book on Amazon, please click here.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

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