I am very proud of my book, Becoming Odyssa. But I am NOT proud of everything I did in Becoming Odyssa. Perhaps, the thing that I value most about the book is that it is a honest, authentic retelling of my first thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. I share the good, bad, and ugly – even when I’m the one being ugly.
I make no efforts to hide the fact that I was an entitled wanna be thru-hiker when I started. And yes, some of my superiority complex had to do with poor trail etiquette practiced by section hikers that I encountered early on in my journey. But that is not an excuse! Thankfully, my sense of self-importance finally went away. And, it only took 1,000 miles ; )
I remember very clearly, mid-way through the hike, arriving at a shelter just south of Harpers Ferry and meeting the most wonderful weekend hikers there. We all slept in the lean-to together. We were also joined by a few thru-hikers who decided to party and smoke pot two feet away from the pre-teen girl who was spending her first night on the trail...
WHAT?! Thru-hikers could be so inconsiderate!!!
That’s what I thought and that is what I expressed in my book.
The bigger lesson, for me, was that it was never fair to characterize an entire group based on the actions of one or two individuals. At that point I no longer felt that I owned the trail. I realized that I was very fortunate to have 4-6 months to hike the trail. Many section and day hikers would be thru-hikers if they didn’t have commitments at home. And it is arguably harder, and certainly more expensive, to complete the trail over several years - as opposed to several months. I also find that section hikers have a better memory of the trail than most thru-hikers. They savor every bite as opposed to scarfing it all down at once.
WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE SECTION HIKERS! HE STATED THE TRAIL IN 1967 AND FINISHED IN 2011. TALK ABOUT PERSEVERANCE ; )
When I wrote, Becoming Odyssa, my editor said it was important for me to let the reader draw conclusions and not always state exactly how I felt or how I changed. But my biggest regret concerning the book, is that many section and weekend hikers finish reading it and still feel put-down by the language that I used and the feelings I expressed in the first half of the memoir. It was obviously not clear that my thoughts and impressions of other hikers changed the farther down the trail I traveled.
I speak and write for a living, so I am going to make mistakes and I am going to say things that I regret. I apologize for being a snob when I started the trail, and I apologize for not making it clear in Becoming Odyssa that the trail is there for EVERYONE at EVERY phase of life.
By the way, I now that I have an 11-month old daughter, and I am 300 miles into my A.T. section hike.
Comments
tom kennedy
October 19, 2013 - 6:37pm
Jen, I never got that impression from you at all and I have read the book twice.
tom kenndy
the beerbelly boys
Easy Strider
October 19, 2013 - 7:59pm
Please don't beat yourself up over this. I'm a section hiker, and I didn't take offense at anything you wrote. Over the years I've run into good and bad hikers from all possible groups. The bigger point is that you grew during your hike and learned not to generalize about people. And that is a trait to admire!
Donna
October 19, 2013 - 10:23pm
I thought the book showed that you were human because of some of the things you did and thought. It also shows that you grew throughout your hike. I like reading accounts of hikers who learned from their experience.
Tin Man
October 19, 2013 - 10:53pm
Your comments only prove you are human. Starting my section hiking in CT and heading north in the Fall, I have met quite a number of SOBOs, NOBOs and section hikers. They are all unique in their attitudes and goals. I started thinking thru hikers were god like and was jealous of their hike. Then, I discovered many wanted and practically asked to be treated as something better than any one else and more than a few were practically begging for something or another. I found myself avoiding them by the time I got to NH. In ME, I actually laughed out loud at a few - one who cursed every step of the way thru Mahoosic Notch, which I thought was totally awesome, except for the sounds from the thru hiker, and another who practically cried on a climb in ME - seriously! That said, I have met many section hikers and thru hikers who found some inner peace and sense of balance on their hikes, unequaled by people who travel in their steel cages and blindly go about their lives in their cozy concrete jungle.
Nature Man
October 19, 2013 - 10:53pm
What is wrong with "pot"? Probably a couple of young guys out on their spiritual nature hike, absorbing everything nature has to offer, even that glorious herb it produces for us.
If you found it "inconsiderate," perhaps you should have walked over and gently address your concerns about their smoking and the pre-teen girl. Of course, we don't know the entire story, since you are biased in telling your story, even admitting that you were "ugly" and using negative language. Enough so that you've written a second book, "retelling" the story in what sounds to be a more authentic theme.
I applaud you for being "authentic" in this new book version. You also accomplished the first part: getting rid of your superior complex. You will never achieve "it" until you shed the ego and understand all - nature, humans, the good, the bad, the homeless, and even the pot guy.
Rob
October 20, 2013 - 12:25am
Jen - I have read your book twice, and have had the pleasure of conversation with you and Brew both in Vermont and here at home in Colorado, so I have a good feeling for who you are.
Apologizing isn't necessary. And I'd even say a little silly. Forgetting everything else, you were a 21-year old kid, as we all are at age 21, when you hiked the trail. Since then you've completed the trail, and many others, and been fortunate enough to grow up a little. If I came away with any overriding feeling from the book it was that you grew up a lot in those months on the trail. Not completely, and perhaps not entirely in the direction you'd have wanted, but it was a start. Now, years later, you can't look back on who you were and what you thought then and then apologize for it. That's like Charley apologizing in 20 years for filling her diaper. It's what she is now, as the trail (and your book) are all about who you were then.
I'd be a lot more worried if I was hearing anything elitist from you today. And as someone who has a couple of decades on you even now, I'll tell you that you'll be surprised in 20 years at the person you were with all your failings when you look back. Someone once said that youth is wasted on the young - something I didn't understand when I was 20, but understand well now that I'm in my 50s.
;)
Steve Jennette
October 20, 2013 - 4:28am
Ms Pharr, Becoming Odyssa is an AT classic. You were revelatory without being maudlin; you let readers make up their own minds about almost every "issue" you had during your thru; you reminded us older readers how powerful is the angst of entering into adulthood; and you were funny! If anyone was offended any part of your book, you should be pleased.....because it means they were emotionally engaged. One of the highlights of my 2013 thru was hearing you speak (twice) in Damascus @ Trail Days. You are very special, and not just because you hiked the AT quickly. You have the ability to be in the present, and your "presence" is truly inspiring. You profess a belief in a god. I hope I don't offend you by choosing not to attribute who you are, what you have done, and how you may yet grow, to superstition. You are simply You....and a delightful addition to our ever evolving species. Keep hiking, keep posting, and keep growing. Steve.
Paul Luedtke
October 20, 2013 - 8:10am
Hi Jen,
I read the book only once, but I was never put off by your story. But I've done two 50 miles sections of the AT years ago and countless other backpacks and treks. It was clear that you were a beginner in "Odyssa." I liked your honestly. I cringed at your mistakes. I loved learning lessons that I'd long forgotten. I was scared for you in times that were dodgy. But I appreciated the transparency of your feelings. I'd have been put off too if some thru-hikers arrived (thinking that they owned the trail) and felt the liberty to smoke pot (still an illegal and for many, a dangerous substance, just ask those who I've met whose mental illness was triggered by pot smoking). As some one who enjoys the occasional cigar, I'm very careful not to smoke people out.
For me, you have nothing to apologize for. The AT is a learning experience for everyone. And if it makes us more conscious of our mistakes and the need to apologize, then, so much the better. Thanks for being a writer, speaker and blogger. We'll all get lots out of your experience.
Jim, not Bill
October 21, 2013 - 4:41pm
Guess I will have to reread it, I didn't get that impressions the first time. Just keep being you :)
Ky Delaney
October 29, 2013 - 7:12pm
I think it's great that so many people get outside, just the experience of walking amongst the trees changes a person.Kudos to you for sharing the experience with your baby girl! As a single mom of a two-year old, I know how hard and worthwhile it is to expose our little ones to nature early and often!
Also, I've been wanting to introduce myself - my name is Ky and I also contribute articles to the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and live in Asheville. I'm looking forward to your reading on Nov 30th!
cris courter
November 5, 2013 - 3:09pm
Perhaps an unusual question to you Jenn, but what did you do about the lyme tick problem as you hiked the AT ? I'm thinking of doing sections of the trail but somewhat concerned about the tick situation. Thanks, Cris
Sonia Cardinal
July 15, 2019 - 4:48pm
Wonderful presentation at Oak Harbor, Wa yesterday where I had the great pleasure of meeting you, Mr. patient and wonderful, (handsome too) and your energetic offspring. Many thanks.