Five Months.
Five Million Steps.
An Odyssey of Grit.
What happens when a stubborn dream meets the relentless spine of the Appalachians?
about the book
There are three kinds of people crazy enough to hike the entire Appalachian Trail—young romantics chasing glory, older souls seeking one last thrill, and the occasional runaway escaping life’s troubles. Then there’s a guy who simply loved hiking, and who was naïve enough to think it would be enough. It wasn’t.
Follow one hiker’s 2,192-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, through blizzards, dehydration, laughter, and doubt. What began as a long-awaited dream became an unforgettable test of spirit, resilience, and the fine line between adventure and insanity.
But it isn’t just about surviving the trials of the trail. It’s about the unexpected friendships forged along the way, and the evolving bond between a son and father who found their long-standing roles quietly turning inside out.
Told with humor, heart, and blistering honesty, this narrative memoir invites readers to follow along on the dramatic journey. To hopscotch rivers, climb clouded peaks, and endure the relentless drum of rain. But most of all, to rediscover the joy of chasing one’s dreams.
about the author
Michael Neiman, trail name Sharkbait, is a lifelong backpacker and outdoor enthusiast who first learned of the Appalachian Trail in his twenties. Almost two decades later, he set out to complete a continuous thru-hike from Georgia to Maine, chronicling each day of his five-month journey on a personal WordPress blog and YouTube channel. His journal drew a dedicated following of friends, fellow hikers, and strangers, and later inspired his co-authored guidebook, Platinum Blazing the Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-hike in 3-Star Luxury (2019, available on Amazon).
When he’s not on the trail, Michael lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with his wife and family. He can be found exploring local trails or introducing others to the magic of the AT, whether in person or through his writing. You can follow his latest adventures at HelloNeiman.com or on most social media as @HelloNeiman.
what readers say
★★★★★
Hello My Name is Sharkbait, is the unforgettable story of adventure (and sometimes misadventure) hiking the Appalachian Trail. From torrential rain, to freezing cold, we join Michael (Sharkbait) as he completes his goal in hiking the Appalachian Trail. Heartwarming, funny and unflinching, Mike’s story will inspire you to want to hike the trail yourself, and even provides you with much needed insight and tips on how to best do it! Once you pick up this book, you will not be able to put it down. Neiman’s writing makes you feel like you are truly there with him, in the hammock, in the uncomfortable shelter, and in the woods, coming to the kinds of self-realizations and soulful insights that only come when you are one with nature. -Rachel Rosenbaum, Author
