Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail

By: Bill Walker

Narrated by: Bill Walker

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Why would a middle-aged businessman who had never even spent the night outdoors, attempt to hike the entire Appalachian Trail? Bill Walker, a former commodities trader in Chicago and London, and an avid walker, had developed a virtual obsession to hike this historic 2,175 mile footpath in one hiking season. In the spring of 2005 he set off from his home state of Georgia, hoping to make it to Mount Katahdin in northern Maine before the arrival of winter. Immediately, he realized he had plunged into a whole new world. For starters, the Appalachian Trail has some ferociously difficult terrain, winding through dramatically diverse geography and covering the East's highest peaks. Walker's 6'11" height earned him the trail name, "Skywalker", and drew envious attention from his fellow hikers. However, the height made him more susceptible to weight loss, cold weather, and crushing fatigue. An elemental fear of bears and snakes, as well as getting lost, also loomed large. Skywalker was especially struck by the rich culture this jewel of a trail has developed over the years.

Included is a history of how the Appalachian Trail has become such a stunning American success story over the decades. It is a model public-private partnership. As many as 4,000,000 people hike some part of it each year. Mortals are compelled - or perhaps cursed - to relive their lifetime adventure. This is Bill Walker's unforgettable version, leavened with ruthlessly self-deprecating humor. Some have joked that the book is as much about what not to do, as what to do. Skywalker couldn't agree more!

©2008 Indigo Publishing Group (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Great Trail Hiking Literature! !

I read this after being so disappointed and disgusted by Oprah's recommendation of Wild. Skywalker is what I was really after in this classification of travel and adventure. Bill Walker's sense of humor and enthusiasm for lie and adventure have made this one of my Audible favorites.

Funny and down to earth

I loved this book. Being from North Carolina his narration was just fine!!! I enjoyed the stories the adventures and his funny humorous times. My husband and I laughed and would recommend this and Winton Porters book. Just passing thru. Of course we have listened to almost all hiking books. Thanks for the info and the good laughs.

So you want to hike the AT

Found the down-home feel very comforting yet his story is an excellent adventure. This is the gentleman you would love to hike with on the Appalachian trail.

Great story told from a real person

If you could sum up Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail in three words, what would they be?

Bill Walker is an interesting character. He is over 7 feet tall and has a down home way of speaking. As he reads along, you find yourself correcting his pronunciation. One could chalk that up to Southern, but I am southern and do not mispronounce words. But, it is endearing and he weaves a funny and informative tale along the AT. I liked it.
It was relaxed and he tells of his mistakes as well as his triumphs.
He gave me good insight into my sections hikes of the trail.

Have you listened to any of Bill Walker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. Getting High. I plan to hike the Annapurna Circuit next year and I gave me insight into the challenges there.

Liked the story, but the recording quality was fair.

I've been reading and listening to AT related stories as I prepare for my section hikes. I've been pleased with the personalities and perspectives of various authors, and Skywalker is no exception. The difference in speaking and writing style between AWOL and Skywalker is noticeable, and took a few chapters to embrace; however, I was able to quickly enjoy Walker's story telling style.

I was rather disappointed in the recording quality of the story though. It is obvious that parts of the story was recorded at different times and in different locations. Some sections echoed, and other sections are nasally.

Overall, I like the story, enjoyed the reading, and am glad I bought the audio book. I am interested in the PCT audiobook by Walker.

I would recommend this to any through/section hiker, or to anyone preparing for the AT.

Great listen

Lots of books about people hiking the AT out there and this one is great - the authors positive attitude and outlook was perfect - nicely written and just the right length!

Thesaurus?

The reader with his Southern draw probably made the story better than it was. All and all I enjoyed it but I feel like the author went out of his way to exercise his vocabulary too often and in places that made his word choice stick out. In all seriousness there's no need for a thesaurus, nor would the story lose you because of his word choice. I just found myself constantly thinking there wasn't a need for it and in a group of people who spend more time talking about food and poop, just plain out of place.

Was like a bad sequel

In the same vain as "Home Alone 3" or "Caddyshack 2" this book was a different story about the same thing as "A Walk In The Woods" but it was by far inferior to that book. I enjoyed listening to it, but it will not be a book I would listen to again and again as I have the aforementioned. The author was really not the best choice of narrator in my opinion. I do admire that he is a true "thru hiker". Often times I would get lost in the abundance of trail names.
I liked the book but I did not love it.

The poor narration detracts from the story.

Bill Walker reads through his story as if he was running a speed race. while there are entertaining portions of the book, overall it is exhausting to listen to.

Must read!

This book is a breath of fresh air! I loved every moment of it 😊