Mud, Rocks, Blazes - by Heather Anderson (Paperback)

About the Book

Following her bestselling memoir, Thirst, here is the next step in Heather "Anish" Anderson's adventurous life journey--one of deep emotion and self-discovery

Book Synopsis

Despite her success setting a self-supported Fastest Known Time record on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013, Heather "Anish" Anderson still had such deep-seated insecurities that she became convinced her feat had been a fluke. So two years later she set out again, this time hiking through mud, rocks, and mountain blazes to crush her constant self-doubt and seek the true source of her strength and purpose.

The 2,180 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from Maine to Georgia, did not make it easy. Anderson struggled with its infamous rain, humidity, insects, and steep grades for 54 days. But because she had to fight for every step, she knew when she reached the summit of Springer Mountain, the AT's southern terminus, that she had fully earned the trail. Of greater value, she learned to love herself and her body, and to feel the depth of her power. Examining emotional scars as well as her relationship with her mother, Anderson's deeply internal yet highly physical journey in Mud, Rocks, Blazes is an essential story.

Review Quotes

Even more inspiring [than Anderson's first book Thirst] for its universal message of grit, perseverance and love.--Mary Vermillion "Cascadia Daily News"

Complete with a map of her route, the latest from Anderson will make hikers want to reach for their trekking poles and will satisfy armchair travelers looking for adventure.--Stephanie Sendaula "Library Journal"

Mud, Rocks, Blazes is a great adventure book. It's a beautiful, flowing read that allows access to an experience that most of us will never have, and Heather is one of the key authors putting thru-hiking books into the adventure canon.--Timothy Mathis "dirtbagsguide.com"

If it seems superhuman, all it takes is reading her latest book to see that it's actually something more impressive. It's Anish, flesh, blood, and fully human walking in the woods, falling, getting back up, and walking some more, just like the rest of us.--Tina Mullen "thetrek.co"