In 1995 travel writer Bill Bryson was living in the United States after residing in England for over twenty years and longed to reconnect with the country he once knew. Despite having little knowledge of hiking, camping, or the Great Outdoors he decided that an adventure on the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail would be the best way to reacquaint himself with America. Not to be outdone in the inexperience department, Bryson was joined by his friend Stephen Katz, an overweight, out of shape, mercurial college friend, who he hadn't spoken to in over a decade. A Walk in the Woods chronicles their difficult and humorous attempt of one of America's great thru-hikes.

In this episode Christine and Kyle discuss some of Bryson's anecdotes from the trail, his conversational writing style as well as his questionable strategy for completing the trail. They also dive into the life of the real "Stephen Katz" and gab about some of their own experiences on the Appalachian Trail.

In 1996 author Jon Krakauer joined a Mount Everest expedition to document the recent commercialization of the world's highest peak. As an experienced alpinist, Krakauer understood the inherent dangers of climbing at extreme altitudes, but nothing could have prepared him for the events that unfolded on May 10-11, resulting in one of the deadliest days in the history of Everest.  Into Thin Air recounts the entire expedition in vivid detail from the recollection of those who survived and questions how money effects decision making in a high altitude life and death situation.Released in 1997, Into Thin Air is a national bestseller, was adapted into a movie and is considered a must-read adventure book. 

Have you ever been lost in the woods? Did you immediately ball up in the fetal position and scream for help? Stephen King's, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon follows the story of Tricia McFarland, a nine year old girl who is lost in the woods with very few supplies and little water. Her only contact with the outside world is through her Walkman which is tuned into the Boston Red Sox and her favorite player, Tom Gordon. In this episode the Roamers debate fiction vs non-fiction, foraging for food, how hallucinations help with survival, and what they would listen to if they were only accompanied by a Walkman. What's on your lost in the woods mixtape?