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Thousand-Miler

Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail

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About this listen

In 36 thrilling days, Melanie Radzicki McManus hiked 1,100 miles around Wisconsin, landing her in the elite group of Ice Age Trail thru-hikers known as the Thousand-Milers. In prose that's alternately harrowing and humorous, Thousand-Miler takes you with her through Wisconsin's forests, prairies, wetlands, and farms, past the geologic wonders carved by long-ago glaciers, and into the neighborhood bars and gathering places of far-flung small towns. Follow along as she worries about wildlife encounters, wonders if her injured feet will ever recover, and searches for an elusive fellow hiker known as Papa Bear. Woven throughout her account are details of the history of the still-developing Ice Age Trail - one of just 11 National Scenic Trails - and helpful insight and strategies for undertaking a successful thru-hike.

In addition to chronicling McManus's hike, Thousand-Miler also includes the little-told story of the Ice Age Trail's first-ever thru-hiker Jim Staudacher, an account of the record-breaking thru-run of ultrarunner Jason Dorgan, the experiences of a young combat veteran who embarked on her thru-hike as a way to ease back into civilian life, and other fascinating tales from the trail.

©2017 The State Historical Society of Wisconsin (P)2017 Tantor Hiking Outdoors & Nature Walking Witty Wisconsin Hikeing Training
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I enjoyed this book and felt it deserved a good review. anyone who hikes this many miles and also write a book at the same time is brilliant. 👏🏻. well done on completing this.

wonderful tale of a hikers journey

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Well written and interesting, covering a lot more info about the trail than I expected but in an informative way. Not sure this ‘Happy Wanderer’ would enjoy all the hunting for way markers but good on those through hikers who made it - Val-deri included. An impressive feat and enjoyable story.

A thoroughly enjoyable listen

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I loved it! Author combines real grit and steel with compassion. Tells her story alongside the stories of other Ice Age trail hikers. Lots of humour and self-deprecation. What an achievement: both the through-hike and the book telling her story so entertainingly. Made me want to strap on my backpack and get out there!

Such a fun, relaxing listen

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Unfortunately this story doesn't really have anything interesting about it. A hike through a trail, yes, but it just sort of winds up finished, with plenty of lengthy stories about others who did other or similar hikes. Also, the narrator puts me to sleep, more like a school teacher giving a lesson than a natural for audio books.

Meandering story with no real purpose

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Also proves, not everyone should. Anyone who adorns themselves with their own trail name to save having a lesser flattering one already knows their short comings. History of the ice trail 5 stars, waffle either side - stars..

Proves anyone can write a book

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