Thanks for the 'Memoir'ies: The Impact and Importance of Appalachian Trail Literature to Hiking Culture
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Authors
Froats, Lauren
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Travel Literature , Appalachian Trail , Culture , Thru Hiking , Memoirs , Social Media
Alternative Title
Abstract
This paper is composed of a literary study on the memoirs and social media posts written
or made by people who have thru or section hiked the Appalachian Trail in its entirety in order to
better understand the culture of the Appalachian Trail, the motivations of the hikers, and the
impact literature can have on the trail. The study looked at published memoirs set between 1948
to 2005, as well as interviews and social media posts up to 2021 surrounding thru hikers and
their progress along the trail. The study also analyzed the impact thru hiking has on individuals
and how literature plays a part in strengthening their connection to the Appalachian Trail even
after they have completed their hike. In addition to the literary study, there is also an experiential
section of the paper dedicated to my firsthand accounts of hiking the Appalachian Trail, being
involved in thru hiker culture, and making my own contribution to the tradition of trail literature
that is as connected to the trail as the act of hiking itself. This topic is worth examining because it
investigates the connections between literature and long-haul hiking, as well as examining how
literature fits into, and tracks changes in, the culture of Appalachian Trail thru hikers, something
not before researched from a literary perspective. The findings show that literature is an integral
part of what has become a “linear community,” along the 14 states that make up the Appalachian
Trail, and that every piece of literature or social media post made regarding the Appalachian
Trail works to add to this culture. This research can be used in the future to assess how the
literature has become an accurate reflection of the culture insomuch that it can be used to form a
base to which analysis of thru hiker culture can be conducted.
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Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
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Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States