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New Backpacking Book Encourages Mid-Age Women to Backpack
by Anonymous
When San Francisco Bay Area author and teacher Susan Alcorn began backpacking at age 48 with the goal of climbing Mt. Whitney, she had little idea what she was getting into. With a pack heavier than anything ever before to rest on her shoulders, an oxygen-rare environment that made her stop every fifty yards to catch her breath (and let her pulse stop its pounding in her ears), and an encounter with a bear that hadn't read the "above timberline, no bears allowed" sign, she quickly realized that backpacking was not for sissies.
We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill - Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers opens with the author describing her adventures into the Sierras ? at a time in her life when most of her acquaintances were choosing to buy recliners rather than backpacks. She describes the bear encounter, the kindness of strangers helping replenish food supplies, the lightning storm on Forester Pass, and the culminating climb to the top of Whitney ? at 14,996 feet the highest point in the lower 48.
As Ms. Alcorn continues her backpacking adventures, she realizes that she isn?t seeing many other middle aged women on wilderness trails. Having experienced the rewards that travel into the backcountry provides, Ms. Alcorn decides to find other older women who are backpackers, collect their stories, and write about their adventures, insights, and wisdom.
Her goal, shared by many who contributed to We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill, was to encourage women to backpack -- particularly those of middle age who have much to gain from the challenges and rewards of the wilderness.
Readers of We're in the Mountains, Not over the Hill gain insight into why and how women backpack. They are introduced to women who hold records for their accomplishments as well as those with more modest achievements. This is a true, emotionally honest collection of stories of strong, gutsy women, all in the prime of their lives, who continue to challenge themselves which provides humor, insight, and inspiration to women and men of all ages.
We?re in the Mountains, Not over the Hill - Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers can be ordered from Shepherd Canyon Books, 25 Southwood Ct., Oakland, CA 94611, at www.backpack45.com, and from your bookstore.
This article courtesy of http://www.backpackaccessory.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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