Jeff Alt

Jeff Alt is a motivational speaker, expert hiker, speech pathologist, teacher and author. We first got to know him in his first book, “A Walk for Sunshine” where he hiked the Appalachian Trail. His openness, humor, and purpose make this book a great read.

In A HIKE FOR MIKE, Alt hikes the John Muir Trail in California. The hike and book was dedicated to his brother-in-law, Mike, who committed suicide during depression. Throughout the book and his hike, he educates us and people he meets show more about the seriousness of depression. The last chapter, 24 – Depression: know the facts, is full of information and on-line resources for both the sufferer and family.

The John Muir Trail, JMT, is 218 miles of rugged, climbing trial through California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range which begins in Happy Isles, elevation 4,035 ft., and ends at Lone Pine beside Mt. Whitney, elevation 14,496 ft. All of it is exposed to extreme temperature swings, deadly lighting storms, flash floods, bears, and mountain lions (hikers have been attacked and killed by the lions and bears). That’s not including potential strange and dangerous people - Chapter 18, A Creep at 10,000 Feet - yikes!

Jeff and his wife, Beth, take on the JMT with humor and resolve. Jeff’s writing is so good that you experience the adventure, pains, fears, wonderment, and appreciation for nature’s beauty that they had. He writes with candor, telling everything.

Their underwear shopping, Chapter 5, Finished Basements, is funnier read than explained. From losing his clothes on the first day, to catching his first trout, to the arguments with Beth, to protecting her with a makeshift spear, to Beth’s almost deadly accident he tells all.

I really enjoyed this book. His description of what they did and explanation of why they did it shows what a great teacher and writer he is. The amount of detail is well integrated with the story and dialogue. Based on his book, I feel I can hike the trail and know what to expect. Personally, I now know I’m not going on that hike. It’s too rugged for me. The importance of Jeff and Beth’s purpose is Depression Awareness, which is highlighted by the stories from the other hikers and people they met along the trail.

About the author:

Jeff Alt’s adventures have been featured in media nationwide including: ESPN’s Inside America’s National Parks, Hallmark Channel’s New Morning, CNN-Radio, USA Radio Network, the AP, the Chicago Sun Times, and many more. Alt is a talented speaker, teacher, and the award-winning author of “A Walk for Sunshine” and “A Hike for Mike.” Alt is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). Jeff has shared his Appalachian Trail adventures with guests in the Shenandoah National Park for over six years. He holds a Master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and a degree from the University of Toledo. He continues to host the annual Walk-With-Sunshine inspired by his Appalachian Trail journey. Jeff has walked the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, the 218-mile John Muir Trail with his wife, and last summer he carried his 21-month old daughter in a pack across a swath of Ireland on a family hike.


Note: A copy of this book is to be raffled off at
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I really enjoyed reading this book. Having never been to Yellowstone National Park the book helped me to "see" the park in a way I never will. There were detailed explanations about the wildlife, nature and geological features of the park. The time travel storyline added even further information about the long history of this park in a very novel way. This book is part of a series of books that each feature a different national park. This is such a fun way for kids to read about and explore show more these national Parks that they too might never have the chance to see in life. The author even included discussion questions and other sources at the end of the book for students to use to help them with their school projects, show less

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It did an excellent job of combining geography, travel, history, and adventure. I highly suggest this book for anyone bringing children to Yellowstone. Read it before in order to plan your trip, or bring it along as a way to give depth to your travels. It was fun, informative, and page-turning.

I've read alot of books about people that have hiked the Appalachian Trail and this was my favorite AT hike adventure book. Jeff has a brother with cerebral palsy that lives in an assisted living home and in conjunction with his walk he raised money to benefit the home where his brother lives. I like the town by town details Jeff provides in regards to his AT hiking experience. I personally would like to hike the AT some day when I can find 5 months to spare. This book provided some good show more information and what to expect along the trail. show less