Discuss some of the rationalizations that Bill Bryson offers as to why he should hike the Appalachian Trail. To what extent do you think that these rationalizations actually played a role in his decision to do it?

Describe and analyze the sense of foreboding that takes place in the narrative when Stephen Katz asks to come along and Bryson agrees.

Discuss Benton MacKaye’s original vision for the trail back in the 1920s. In what ways was this vision carried out and in what ways was it not?