“Max recounts precisely what it’s like to endure a 2000+ mile
walk along the physical and mental rollercoaster known as
the Appalachian Trail. He captured the highs, lows, trials,
tribulations and characters he met along the way in poetic form.
I thru-hiked the trail all over again.”
Joe Fubel – GA-ME Class of ‘01
“Happy’s glorious epic poem perfectly captures the trail experience
in all its beautiful, wild, wonderful and sometimes challenging
moments. His tips for a successful thru-hike are spot on.”
TwoBadDogs – Triple Crown Thru-hikers
“Max offers solid advice for anyone considering a long-distance
trail. The epic poem of Happy’s hike is entertaining and full of
AT thru-hiker wisdom, do’s and don’ts, as well as lessons learned
the hard way for his next adventure.”
John Wilson – 3X AT Thru-hiker
“Max Mason has re-invented the epic adventure poem for
everyday people which magically draws you in as if you are
experiencing the highs and lows of the Trail with him. Easy to
read, engaging, funny and relatable to us all I hope this becomes
a popular new genre.”
Mark Stewart – Hiker
“HH is an epic poem describing Max’s transformation from
Joe Average to long distance hiker, tackling the challenges of
everyday miles to be covered while overcoming loneliness
and absence from family and friends. A must read for anyone
wanting to walk off the beaten track over multiple days.”
Graeme Horsley – 3x Camino pilgrim walker
“Max has described his experience of the trail using poems that
help keep your attention and wanting more. He explains the
trials and errors endured during a thru-hike. A very relatable
and easy read for those with a dream of a thru-hike or those who
just like to read about adventures.”
Bev Whitehead – A hiker that believes it’s all about the journey
“Max Mason shows that you can do anything you put your mind
too, you don’t need to be a hiker to enjoy this story, and a
refreshing poem format that just keeps you wanting more.”
Lisa Tringali – Hiker, Photographer, Nature Enthusiast
“It brought back a lot of memories of my time on the trail. I felt
like I was on the trail again.”
Philip Anderson – Thru-hiker, Retired
“Max Mason undersells himself in this book. He is a remarkable
man and I felt as if I was on the trail with him. I loved how he
was so open with his feelings, raw and tough, digging deep.
Quietly ecstatic when he reached Katahdin’s peck. A must read
for anyone looking for an adventure.”
Karen Holmes – Adventure marathon/multi-sport athlete
“In this epic poem of the Appalachian trail, Max Mason chronicles
his thru-hike of the famous pathway. Along the way he shares
his secrets to successfully mastering the mental challenges that
inevitably accompany the 2100 mile journey. At times funny,
at times serious, but always engaging, this poem should be on
everyone’s list of guidebooks for planning their thru-hike.”
Brad Whitcomb – AT Thru-hiker 2015