Inspiration

When I can’t get out in the world and appease my adventurous appetite, these are the books, films and music with which I fill my brain in order to trick it into thinking that I’m on the trail. I tried not make this a list of my “favorites” of each category, so I have just listed them alphabetically. Instead, to make this list, these forms of entertainment merely need to inspire and motivate me to get outside and explore the world.

Books

Between a Rock and a Hard Place – Aron Ralston

Fire Season – Philip Connors

Following Atticus – Tom Ryans

I Hike – Lawton Grinter

The Last Season – Eric Blehm

The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail – Andrew Skurka

Wild – Cheryl Strayed

Documentaries

180 Degrees South

A Map for Saturday

Mile… Mile and A Half

Film

127 Hours

Into the Wild

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Way

Music

Music has a way of trigger emotions and memories to the listener. There are many songs that remind me of hiking and exploring because I listen to them when traveling toward a hiking destination. I have to show some restraint here and filter out those songs and reference ones whose subject matter inspires traveling, adventuring and escape.

Modest Mouse – Coyotes

The Head and the Heart – Down in the Valley