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Going It Alone: Ramblings and Reflections from the Trail Kindle Edition

by Tim Hauserman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
See all formats and editions
Join author Tim Hauserman on his solo journeys through the Sierra Nevada and the forests of Minnesota. Hauserman shares his experiences hiking by himself through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United States. Along the way, he confronts his conflicting desires to be alone in the wilderness, then facing profound loneliness and fear once he is there. In a single instant, he goes from enjoying a shimmering mountain lake to being petrified by the sound of a bear crunching through sticks right next to his tent.



Hauserman hikes the John Muir Trail through rainstorms and challenging climbs, explores the Tahoe Rim Trail on a fourteen-day excursion, and travels to Minnesota to conquer the Superior Hiking Trail, where he is inundated with bugs, faces drought, and is eerily alone on the trail with not a single other hiker in sight for days. Going It Alone combines his self-deprecating humor, what he identifies as “Stupid Tim Tricks,” and delightful descriptions of the natural surroundings.



Some might describe the wilderness as the middle of nowhere or as nothingness, but for Hauserman, it is everything. While his love for nature remains undaunted through these experiences, he also discovers that he has overly high expectations for his capabilities and that he cannot just wish his loneliness away. He eventually discovers that his long walks in the woods are less about hiking and more about learning how he wants to live his life.



 
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  1. Print length
    168 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    University of Nevada Press
  5. Publication date
    August 2, 2022
  6. File size
    4925 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Going It Alone had me laughing out loud, but its sober central theme of loneliness is a timely and important one. Firmly in the tradition of nature writers like Bill Bryson and David Gessner, Hauserman’s style is down-to-earth, direct, and relatable.” —Colleen Morton Busch, author of Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire

“This is a different kind of adventure [book], one that draws the reader in—not through descriptions of bold, harrowing feats, but through quiet ruminations on beauty, connection, quiet, loneliness, and wildlife. It is well-paced and carefully drawn.” — Robert Leonard Reid, 2018 Nevada Writers Hall of Fame inductee, author of five books, including Because It is So Beautiful: Unraveling the Mystique of the American West --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Tim Hauserman is a freelance writer and long-term resident of Lake Tahoe. He has written hundreds of articles for numerous publications on travel, outdoor recreation, housing, education, wildfire, and a variety of other topics. Hauserman is the author of Monsters in the Woods: Backpacking with Children; Tahoe Rim Trail: The Official Guide for Hikers, Mountain Bikers, and Equestrians, 4th Edition; and Cross-Country Skiing in the Sierra Nevada: The Best Resorts & Touring Centers in California & Nevada.
  --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B137YDC6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Nevada Press (August 2, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 2, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4925 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 168 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1647790654
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
12 global ratings
Adventure in a book!
5 Stars
Adventure in a book!
This book is a wonderful read. I felt as if I was on these adventures with the author. It is perfect for the day hiker, the long time backpacker and those that walk the bike path. The author articulates the self talk and games we play in our head, with astounding accuracy. The dichotomy of wanting to be alone, yet craving the company of others is so relevant in today's world.
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Top reviews from the United States

Bridey
5.0 out of 5 stars Get this before your next hike!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
This travel memoir is the perfect blend of the introspection we hope to experience in nature and self-deprecating humor (admitting he's somewhat of a "chickenshit") we must resort to when we fall on our asses or get lost. I laughed, I related, and I highlighted dozen of lines that I have continued to go back to because of the stellar writing: "But as I felt fear along the shore of the lake, I was reminded that while the hike was temporary, the conditions that led me to be there by myself were not."
While I was reading, I was reminded of the film NEVER CRY WOLF set in Alaska (came out in the early 80's). The young guy is exhilarated, scared, and frustrated being alone in the woods. Hauserman experiences these same emotions as he pushes himself to "go it alone." Just as I found myself asking why on earth is this guy going camping AGAIN on his own, Hauserman addresses my question: "I'm sure it [taking another solo trip] is hard to believe..."
I'm buying a handful of copies for my friends who have plans to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail and Muir Trail this summer. GOING IT ALONE is a must-read for hikers and adventurers! Can't recommend it highly enough!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for thru-hikers!
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Tim Hauserman is the everyman of hiking. What I mean is that he does not bog down in technical how-to or prowess or go over the finer points of the details surrounding 'hiking' (except that his backpack is ALWAYS too heavy). What he does do is hike. And we all hike, right? Sometimes we call it a 'walk'... okay.

In this book, Tim hikes alone, but for the occasional tag-a-long friend here and there. And he hikes a lot. And his mind goes all over the place! There's hiking lore aplenty in his stories, of course. But that's not what it's really all about. It is about the challenge to face your fears and your loneliness when far from human contact, and the things and people that you love; these are issues we can all relate to that have nothing at all to do with 'hiking,' per se. It is the human condition exposed via tales from the trails.

I whipped through this book and really enjoyed getting to know Tim and the things that excite and enthuse him. I think you will, too.
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Bella
5.0 out of 5 stars The battle is real
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
I love how this book examines the struggles for those of us who venture into nature alone. So many times I found myself relating to the loneliness the author faced. I highly recommend this book if you sleep alone under the stars or think you'd like to.
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D. Ash
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious & Heartwarming
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2022
I’m so glad I found this gem of a book. It is both a quick and easy read and full of depth, humor and meaning. If you’ve ever been solo backpacking, or contemplated doing it, this book is for you. I laughed out loud while at the same time related to the feelings of loneliness that can be evoked by being in uncomfortable and unfamiliar circumstances. Hilarious and beautifully written, I highly recommend Going it Alone.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The real deal
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2022
Tim Hauserman has impeccable credentials as a Tahoe local, a mountain trail guide, and an outdoorsman. In this book he opens his heart and mind to let us inside his experience of solo hiking. He describes the ups and downs of the trail, the intense loneliness and resplendent solitude, the physical pain and deep satisfactions - and the overriding moments of flow and bliss - that accompany a solo adventurer through the miles and days. I’ve already recommended this book to other friends who hike and backpack or just have an interest in accompanying an outdoor adventurer who is willing to share the real deal.
One person found this helpful
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marykatew
5.0 out of 5 stars An adventure story with humor and heart
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
I loved this book! The writing is at times poetic, often funny, and personal. Mr. Hauserman shares his adventures with honesty, both the highs and the lows. The descriptions of gorgeous alpine lakes and the beauty of the High Sierra were so real that I felt I had experienced these backpack trips myself. The stories from the trail are accompanied by deep reflection on life and loneliness. Terrific read!
One person found this helpful
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Karen Roske
5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure in a book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022
This book is a wonderful read. I felt as if I was on these adventures with the author. It is perfect for the day hiker, the long time backpacker and those that walk the bike path. The author articulates the self talk and games we play in our head, with astounding accuracy. The dichotomy of wanting to be alone, yet craving the company of others is so relevant in today's world.
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Karen Roske
5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure in a book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022
This book is a wonderful read. I felt as if I was on these adventures with the author. It is perfect for the day hiker, the long time backpacker and those that walk the bike path. The author articulates the self talk and games we play in our head, with astounding accuracy. The dichotomy of wanting to be alone, yet craving the company of others is so relevant in today's world.
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2 people found this helpful
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Sue Mahlstedt
5.0 out of 5 stars Whether you hike a little or a lot Tim’s book is a must read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
Going It Alone is a wonderful combination of laugh out loud situations Tim gets himself into and his insight on the long and lonely miles spent on the trail with no one to talk to. Even if you don’t hike or backpack his descriptions of his surroundings will transport you to these magical spots. I highly recommend this read!!
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Sue Mahlstedt
5.0 out of 5 stars Whether you hike a little or a lot Tim’s book is a must read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
Going It Alone is a wonderful combination of laugh out loud situations Tim gets himself into and his insight on the long and lonely miles spent on the trail with no one to talk to. Even if you don’t hike or backpack his descriptions of his surroundings will transport you to these magical spots. I highly recommend this read!!
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2 people found this helpful
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