Amanda Jaros Champion

Thank you for following along with the pictures of my 1999 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. It was an incredible adventure to walk the trail, and quite another to have my book about the experience published. The support of so many friends, family, readers, and fellow hikers means so much. Hike on!

September 1999. A few days after I complete my thru-hike, I hiked Katahdin again on a blue-sky day with my dad and friend Don. Also caught up with some #hikertrash in Millinocket to celebrate the end of the trail.
#appalachiantrail

Thank you so much to all the readers, supporters, reviewers, and book lovers. At points, I wasn't sure my story would ever see print. To get this far means so much.

September 14, 1999. Twenty-six years ago today, I completed my thru-hike on the #appalachiantrail on a cloud-covered and socked in Katahdin. I ended my hike as I began it, alone, summitting by myself. I was grateful to celebrate afterwards with so many other amazing hiker trash friends.

September 12, 1999. There she is! KATAHDIN!
#appalachiantrail

Good for you! Wish I could get there and do that.

September 9, 1999. White Cap Mountain, Maine. Hillbilly, Towhee, Magellan, and I were so ready to get to the end, we celebrated early!
#appalachiantrail
#hikertrash

September 6, 1999. Cloud Pond Leanto, a few days into the 100 Mile Wilderness. Step by step, getting there.
#appalachiantrail

September 4, 1999. Monson, Maine - Last town stop on the trail. Heading into the 100 Mile Wilderness was a feeling like no other.
#appalachiantrail
#hikertrash

September 1, 1999. Making my way through Maine. The days getting shorter, and the miles. Hoping to see Katahdin any day now.
#appalachiantrail

August 26, 1999. Walking through the wilds of Maine you come across a lot of water. So many ponds, so little time.
#appalachiantrail

I didn't even know I was getting a Hardcover version! But it's available now for all you old school book lovers.

You don't have to shop on Amazon! It's also available in Hardcover at the Black Rose Writing publisher site and Barnes and Noble. Should be on Bookshop soon too.

I'm thrilled to be returning to Chatham University to do a book reading with the amazing Laura Jackson. We'll be there on Sept 4th at 7pm. All are welcome!

August 19, 1999. WELCOME to Maine! Thankfully, Indiana and I managed the hardest mile on the trail, Mahoosuc Notch, together. I couldn't have done it alone!
#appalachiantrail

August 15, 1999. Gorham, New Hampshire was a great place to relax, rest, and recuperate. And catch up with my friends. Onward to Maine!
#appalachiantrail

August 10, 1999. Through the rugged White Mountains with Mark Dillon. I was exhausted and hungry all the time! But damn, that scenery.
#appalachiantrail

August 5, 1999. 1771 miles hiked. Into New Hampshire and the White Mountains! Colder, steeper, more rugged - getting out the winter gear again.
#appalachiantrail

July 27, 1999. Just a short side trip to Mecca, aka Ben & Jerry's factory. Essential stop for the tired backpacker.
#ifitsnotfunwhydoit
#appalachiantrail
#benandjerrys

July 21, 1999. Vermont! Lovin that Long Green Tunnel.
#appalachiantrail
#greenmountains

July 14, 1999. One of the best stops on the trail - Tom Levardi's house! All that ice cream sure made the heat more bearable.
#appalachiantrail
#hikertrash

July 7, 1999. 1,444 miles hiked. Excessive town stops through Connecticut and Massachusetts slowed hiking progress, but that air conditioning saved me.
#appalachiantrail

July 4, 1999. I'm still grateful to the Merry Hiker and his wife for taking in four smelly hikers on Fourth of July for food and fireworks. Such generosity in the world.
#appalachiantrail
#fourthofjuly
#hikingcommunity

July 2, 1999. 1387 miles hiked. Stopping at the Graymoor Friary, where a truly generous group of monks offered another group of seekers a place to rest and refuel.
#appalachiantrail
#hikercommunity

June 25, 1999. Still in NJ, doing a day hike with some fam and friends. Just a little taste of what the AT is like.

#appalachiantrail
#dayhiker

June 23, 1999. Slacker in NJ! Some nice easy days.
#appalachiantrail

May we all find peace.

June 9, 1999. Harpers Ferry, WV. Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters, aka "the mental halfway point of the trail." It was awesome to arrive there!

#appalachiantrail
#hikertrash

June 4, 1999. Some parts of hiking the #appalachiantrail take place nowhere near the #appalachiantrail. Such as a little road trip to Pittsburgh to see #davematthewsband with fellow hiker trash. Not much beats that.

Amanda K. Jaros: Writing in Community We chat with Amanda K. Jaros, author of Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology, about mothering and stepmothering, running a motherhood magazine, and finding support in writing communities.

***NEW EPISODE!***

"Everyone who's working here, your heart is really in it because we are volunteers, right? And so the people who...step up...it means something to them, really, in their heart."
Former LM EIC @amandakjaros.bsky.social, with @hollyrizzutopal.bsky.social & @ajfields.bsky.social:

Happy PRIDE Month!